Ledger Live Desktop — Getting Started

A clean, focused introduction to Ledger Live Desktop — the official desktop companion for Ledger hardware wallets. This short guide gives you the essentials: why it matters, what to prepare, how to set up safely, and the small steps that protect your crypto.

Why Ledger Live Desktop?

Ledger Live Desktop pairs a polished user interface with Ledger’s hardware-backed security. The app builds transactions and displays portfolio data, while your Ledger device (Nano series, Stax, or Flex) securely signs every transaction — your private keys never leave the device.

Before you begin

Prepare the essentials: a genuine Ledger device purchased from an official store, a computer with a supported OS (Windows / macOS / Linux), a secure pen and paper or a metal backup for your recovery phrase, and 20–45 minutes to complete initial setup without interruptions.

Quick setup — the core steps

1. Download Ledger Live from the official Ledger site and run the installer.
2. Initialize your Ledger device: choose a PIN and write down the 24-word recovery phrase exactly.
3. Install blockchain apps from Ledger Live's Manager (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.).
4. Add accounts in Ledger Live and sync balances.
5. Test with a small receive-and-send transaction to confirm everything works end-to-end.

Security essentials (non-negotiable)

Never share your recovery phrase. Ledger support will never ask for it. Always verify the receiving address on your physical device before sharing it. Keep firmware and Ledger Live updated and only download software from the official domain. Consider a metal backup for long-term seed protection.

Everyday use

Use Ledger Live Desktop to view your portfolio, send/receive crypto, swap assets via integrated providers, and stake supported tokens. For any action that moves funds you will confirm details on the device screen — that confirmation is your final security gate.

Final tip

Start small: do a test transaction first. That simple step prevents most setup mistakes and ensures your workflow is correct.

Ready? Download from the official site and follow the onboarding carefully. Treat your recovery phrase as the single most important piece of information — protect it like a vault key.