Ledger Live Desktop® — The secure desktop gateway to your crypto

What is Ledger Live Desktop®?

Ledger Live Desktop® is the desktop variant of Ledger Live, tailored for Windows, macOS, and Linux users who prefer a full-featured, locally installed application to manage their Ledger-secured assets. It serves as a secure bridge between your computer and your Ledger hardware device: you prepare transactions in the app and sign them physically on your device, ensuring the private keys never leave the secure environment of the hardware wallet.

Install & setup: step-by-step

This section covers installation, device initialization, and connecting Ledger Live Desktop® to your hardware wallet.

1. Prepare your environment

• Ensure your desktop OS is up to date and that you have administrative rights to install software.
• Have your Ledger hardware (Nano S Plus, Nano X, etc.) ready and a secure place to store your 24‑word recovery phrase.

2. Download the installer

1. Visit ledger.com/ledger-live/download and select your OS.
2. Save the installer to a trusted folder and verify the file if checksums are provided.

3. Install Ledger Live Desktop®

1. Run the installer and follow the setup wizard.
2. On macOS, allow the app in System Preferences if blocked; on Windows, accept any driver prompts needed for device communication.

4. Initialize or restore your Ledger device

During the initial Ledger Live onboarding you can choose to set up a new device (generate a new recovery phrase) or restore an existing device using your recovery phrase. Never enter your recovery phrase into Ledger Live — it's only used on the hardware device during restoration.

5. Pair and add accounts

1. Connect your Ledger device via USB (or Bluetooth for Nano X) and unlock it with your PIN.
2. Open Ledger Live Desktop®, choose your device model, and follow the prompts to add accounts for supported blockchains.
3. Install blockchain apps on the device using the Manager tab inside Ledger Live Desktop® to enable support for specific coins/tokens.

6. Start managing your assets

Use the Accounts tab to view balances, the Receive flow to obtain addresses, and the Send flow to prepare transactions which must be confirmed physically on your Ledger device.

Features & advanced capabilities

Ledger Live Desktop® offers an extensive set of features designed for both new users and advanced traders:

• Accounts & multi‑asset management: Add multiple accounts across many blockchains and view consolidated portfolio value.
• Transactions: Prepare, sign on-device, and broadcast transactions. Advanced settings allow fee customization where supported.
• Manager: Install and remove blockchain apps on your Ledger device to control which networks are supported.
• Buy & Swap: Integrated third‑party partners allow on‑ramps and swaps directly in the app (region-dependent).
• Staking: Stake supported assets from within Ledger Live Desktop® to earn rewards while keeping custody.
• Analytics & history: Track historical performance, export transaction data for taxes, and set custom price alerts.
• Developer & experimental tools: For advanced users, Ledger Live Desktop® may expose experimental features or allow integration with developer tools such as connecting to local nodes or using custom RPC endpoints for certain chains.

Integrations & partner ecosystem

Ledger Live Desktop® integrates with a vetted ecosystem of partners to provide value-added services:

• On‑ramps: Licensed fiat‑to‑crypto partners let you buy assets via bank transfer or card directly inside the app.
• Swap providers: Liquidity partners power swap flows so you can exchange supported tokens with a few clicks.
• DeFi & dApp connectors: Connect your Ledger‑secured accounts to select decentralized applications through secure bridge flows or companion browser extensions where supported.

Note: Third‑party services may charge fees and are subject to regional availability and regulation. Always review partner terms and fees in the in‑app flow.

Security: principles and best practices

Security is central to Ledger Live Desktop® — but users must follow best practices to maintain safety:

• Private keys remain on device: Ledger Live Desktop® never exposes private keys; all signing occurs within the hardware wallet.
• Secure your recovery phrase: The 24‑word recovery phrase is the ultimate key to your funds. Store it offline in a safe place and never type it into apps or websites.
• Download only from official sources: Use ledger.com/ledger-live/download and verify checksums when available.
• Beware phishing: Ledger will never ask for your recovery phrase via email or social media. Double‑check URLs and avoid clicking unsolicited links.
• Keep software updated: Apply Ledger Live Desktop® updates and device firmware updates via the Manager to get security patches and improvements.
• Use a secure workstation: Avoid public machines for sensitive actions and consider using a dedicated device for large holdings.

Troubleshooting common issues

• Device not detected: Try a different USB cable/port, ensure Ledger Live Desktop® is updated, and that the device is unlocked with the PIN. On Windows, check that the appropriate drivers are installed.
• Sync errors: Restart Ledger Live Desktop®, reconnect your device, and ensure firmware is compatible. Clear cache via Settings if necessary.
• Missing assets: Install the blockchain app via Manager and add the account in Ledger Live Desktop®.
• App blocked on macOS: Allow the app in System Preferences → Security & Privacy if macOS blocks the installation.

For step‑by‑step troubleshooting guides, visit Ledger Support.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q1: Is Ledger Live Desktop® free to use?
  A1: Yes — the application is free. You will pay blockchain network fees for on‑chain transactions and any fees charged by third‑party buy/swap providers.
• Q2: Can I use Ledger Live Desktop® without a Ledger device?
  A2: Ledger Live Desktop® functions as an interface; while you can install the app, full functionality (especially signing transactions) requires a Ledger hardware wallet such as the Nano X or Nano S Plus.
• Q3: How do I restore my accounts if my device is lost?
  A3: Use your 24‑word recovery phrase to restore your accounts on a new Ledger device or a compatible wallet. Never share this phrase with anyone.
• Q4: Can I connect Ledger Live Desktop® to hardware wallets from other vendors?
  A4: Ledger Live Desktop® is designed to work with Ledger hardware devices. Other vendors may provide their own companion apps; cross‑compatibility is dependent on those vendors' implementation of recovery standards.
• Q5: How do I verify the Ledger Live Desktop® installer?
  A5: Use provided checksums or digital signatures from the official download page and verify them locally using a hashing utility (e.g., sha256sum) before installing.
• Q6: Where can I find official tutorials and support?
  A6: The Ledger Support Center offers official tutorials, step‑by‑step articles, and security advisories. The official product page is ledger.com/ledger-live.

Additional resources

• Official Ledger Live product page
• Official Ledger Live download page
• Ledger Support Center
• Ledger security principles