Ledger Live Desktop — Quick, Secure Crypto Management

Ledger Live Desktop connects your Ledger hardware wallet to a modern, local app so you can manage crypto accounts, send and receive funds, stake assets, and check portfolio performance — all while keeping private keys offline on your device. This guide explains the desktop app’s core workflows and practical tips so you can use it confidently.

Download Ledger Live Desktop from Ledger's official website and install it on macOS, Windows, or Linux. On first run the app guides you through language and privacy settings. Connect your Ledger device (Nano S Plus, Nano X, etc.) with a cable or Bluetooth (Nano X) and unlock the device using your PIN.

Accounts are created inside Ledger Live after selecting an app (for example, Bitcoin or Ethereum) that you install on the physical device. Each account maps to an address family on the blockchain — you can add multiple accounts for the same currency (e.g., separate Ethereum accounts) to organize holdings.

To receive funds, choose the account and click Receive; always verify the address preview on your Ledger device screen before sharing it. To send, create a transaction inside Ledger Live, then confirm the exact amount and destination on your hardware wallet. The device validates transaction details independently from the desktop, preventing desktop-level tampering.

Your recovery phrase (24 words) is the single most important secret. Write it down on the provided card or a steel backup, store it offline in a secure place, and never share it digitally. Ledger Live never asks for the recovery phrase. Enable a strong OS account password and keep your desktop operating system updated.

Ledger Live supports staking for certain assets and in-app swaps via integrated partners. Staking lets you earn rewards while keeping custody through your ledger device; check the reward rates and lockup rules inside the app. For swaps, Ledger Live routes trades through partner markets — confirm fees and expected execution details before confirming on-device.

The portfolio view aggregates balances and historical performance. You can add custom tokens for supported networks and use transaction history to reconcile activity. Ledger Live keeps data locally and synchronizes with public blockchain explorers only as needed to reflect balances — your keys never leave the device.

Keep Ledger Live and your device firmware up to date. Updates often include new coin support, bug fixes, and security improvements. When firmware updates are required, follow the exact on-screen instructions and confirm every step on the hardware wallet itself.

• If the app does not detect your device: try a different USB cable, change ports, or restart Ledger Live and the device.
• If an account shows incorrect balance: click "Sync" for that account and allow the app to re-index transactions.
• If a transaction is pending too long: check network fees and consider cancellation or replacement strategies supported by the network.

If you face suspicious prompts asking for your recovery phrase, or if your device behaves unexpectedly after an update, stop and contact Ledger support through their official site. Use support only from official channels — avoid copy-paste links from social media.

Ledger Live Desktop is a management interface; the hardware wallet is the security root. Use them together: Ledger Live for clarity and convenience, the Ledger device for trust and protection.