What is Ledger Live Desktop®?
Ledger Live Desktop® is the official desktop application that acts as the user-facing companion to Ledger hardware wallets. It provides a single dashboard to manage multiple accounts across supported blockchains, build transactions, connect to partner services for staking and swaps, and install blockchain-specific apps onto the hardware device. Crucially, Ledger Live Desktop never holds or exports private keys; all signing occurs on the hardware device’s secure element.
Why use Ledger Live Desktop?
- Centralized dashboard for multi-asset portfolios.
- Offline-secure signing with explicit on-device verification.
- Exportable history for reporting and audits.
- Official releases with checksums and signed installers for verification.
Download & verify
Always download Ledger Live Desktop® from the official Ledger domain. Ledger publishes checksums and signed release artifacts—verify them where possible, especially on machines you don’t fully control. Verifying downloads reduces the risk of running tampered software.
Quick steps
- Go to the official download page and select your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux).
- Download the installer and any checksum/signature files provided.
- Verify the checksum using
sha256sum or an equivalent tool, and validate signatures when available.
- Install and launch Ledger Live Desktop.
Tip: Keep verified checksums recorded if you manage installations across multiple machines.
Initial setup: new device or restore
Ledger Live Desktop pairs with your Ledger hardware device to add accounts and manage assets. Whether you’re initializing a brand-new device or restoring from an existing recovery phrase, follow these steps carefully to preserve your keys and ensure future recoverability.
New device setup
- Power on the Ledger device and choose "Set up as new device" on the device screen.
- Create a PIN directly on the device using the physical buttons—do not type the PIN on your computer.
- The device will generate a recovery phrase (24 words in most models). Write this phrase down exactly as displayed on the supplied recovery sheet or a metal backup; do not photograph or store it digitally.
- Confirm the recovery phrase on-device when prompted to finish initialization.
- Open Ledger Live Desktop and follow the onboarding wizard to install apps and add accounts.
Restoring an existing wallet
- Choose "Restore device" on your Ledger during the startup flow.
- Carefully enter your recovery phrase using the device UI.
- After restore, connect to Ledger Live Desktop and add accounts to resynchronize balances and history.
If you suspect the recovery phrase has been exposed, generate a new seed on a new device and transfer funds immediately.
Accounts & portfolio management
Ledger Live Desktop supports many blockchains and token standards. Add accounts to compartmentalize funds, create labels for bookkeeping, and export CSV transaction histories for tax reporting or reconciliation.
Adding accounts
- Open Ledger Live and select "Add account".
- Choose the currency and connect your Ledger device when prompted.
- Ledger Live will scan the chain to populate transaction history and balances.
Use descriptive account names to make later audits and reporting simpler.
Sending & receiving crypto safely
Ledger Live Desktop constructs transactions but cannot sign them without the physical device. The device displays transaction details—recipient address, amount, and fees—so you can verify exactly what you are authorizing.
Receive
- Select Receive for the chosen account in Ledger Live.
- Connect the Ledger device to display the receiving address on-device.
- Verify that the address shown on-device matches Ledger Live before sharing it with senders.
Send
- Compose the transaction (recipient, amount, fee) in Ledger Live Desktop.
- Review the transaction preview inside the app.
- Confirm the destination address and amount on the device screen and approve to sign.
If on-device values differ from the app, do not sign—the device verification prevents manipulated transactions from being signed unknowingly.
Staking, swaps & partner integrations
Ledger Live Desktop integrates with vetted partners to provide staking and swap services. These integrations are implemented so that private keys always remain on-device; partner services receive signed instructions or on-chain data only. Verify partner terms, fees, and lock-up conditions before committing funds.
Firmware & app updates
Keep device firmware and Ledger Live Desktop up to date. Ledger provides signed firmware and release notes—read them carefully and back up your recovery phrase before major firmware upgrades. For organizations, stage updates to a small group before wide deployment and maintain rollback procedures.
Security best practices
The combination of Ledger hardware and Ledger Live Desktop provides strong protections, but user behavior is critical. Follow these foundational practices:
- Buy devices from official channels to reduce supply-chain risk.
- Record recovery phrases on physical, durable media—never store them digitally or photograph them.
- Use a strong PIN and consider passphrase-enabled hidden wallets for advanced threat models.
- Verify addresses and amounts on-device for every transaction.
- Keep host systems updated and minimize exposure to untrusted software.
Troubleshooting & support
If Ledger Live Desktop does not detect your device, try a different USB cable, alternate port, and ensure the device is unlocked. On Windows, confirm any required drivers are installed. If problems persist, collect diagnostic logs from Ledger Live and reach out to official support for assistance.
Lost or compromised recovery phrase
If you lose access to your recovery phrase but still control your device, generate a new seed and move funds. If the phrase is compromised, assume funds are at risk and transfer to a new wallet as soon as possible.