Ledger® Live: Desktop | Getting Started with Ledger™

This guide explains how to download, install, and use Ledger Live Desktop to manage your Ledger hardware wallet and cryptocurrency accounts. It covers setup, login, device connection, account management, sending & receiving crypto, security best practices, troubleshooting, and advanced options. Follow official links and only download Ledger Live from the official Ledger site.

Why Ledger Live Desktop?

Ledger Live Desktop is the official application provided by Ledger to manage hardware wallets like the Ledger Nano S Plus and Ledger Nano X. It acts as the secure UI for installing blockchain apps on your device, adding accounts, monitoring balances, creating and signing transactions (which are cryptographically signed on-device), and receiving firmware updates. Ledger Live Desktop ensures private keys remain isolated on your hardware device — the application itself never exposes private keys.

Quick security note: Always download Ledger Live Desktop from ledger.com/start or the official Ledger pages. Avoid third-party downloads or links from untrusted emails.

System requirements & supported platforms

Ledger Live Desktop supports the major desktop platforms. Before installing, ensure your operating system version meets Ledger's minimum requirements and that you have a data-capable USB cable for your device.

  • Windows: 64-bit Windows 10 or later (keep your system updated).
  • macOS: Recent macOS versions (current and last two major releases are generally supported).
  • Linux: Popular distributions (Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, etc.) — check Ledger's site for specifics.
  • Hardware: A Ledger hardware device (Nano S Plus, Nano X, etc.) and a data-capable USB cable. Some USB cables only carry power and will not allow data transfer.

Download and verify Ledger Live Desktop

  1. Open a browser and go to ledger.com/start.
  2. Select your device model and platform, then download the official Ledger Live Desktop installer.
  3. For increased assurance, advanced users may verify installer signatures where Ledger provides them. This step confirms the installer wasn't tampered with in transit.
  4. Run the installer and follow platform-specific prompts to complete installation.

If your operating system warns about unknown developers or unsigned apps, confirm you downloaded the installer from Ledger's site. On macOS you may need to allow the app in System Preferences → Security & Privacy if Gatekeeper flags it.

First launch & initial setup

When you first open Ledger Live Desktop, you’ll be guided through a setup flow. Choose Get started to begin. The flow will ask whether you have a new device or an existing one to restore.

  1. Open Ledger Live Desktop and click Get started.
  2. Select your Ledger device model (e.g., Nano S Plus, Nano X).
  3. Decide whether to set up a new device or restore from an existing recovery phrase. If you are new, proceed with device initialization steps.
  4. Create an optional Ledger Live password (application password) to encrypt local app data such as account labels and settings. This password is separate from your device PIN.
Important: The Ledger Live application password protects local metadata only. If you forget it, you can reinstall Ledger Live and re-add your accounts; that process does not affect on-chain funds as long as you have your recovery phrase.

Initialize or restore your Ledger device

Initialization occurs on the hardware device itself — not in Ledger Live. You will be prompted to choose a PIN and to write down your recovery phrase (seed). Follow these steps carefully.

  1. Power on the Ledger device and follow the on-device prompts to set a PIN. Choose a PIN that is memorable but not trivially guessable.
  2. When prompted, the device will display a 24-word recovery phrase. Write each word in order on the supplied recovery card or another secure backup medium (paper, steel plate). Do not photograph or store it digitally.
  3. Confirm the recovery phrase on the device when prompted to complete initialization.
  4. If you are restoring, select the restore option on-device and enter your 24-word phrase when requested.

The recovery phrase is the only reliable backup for access to funds. Keep it offline and secure. Anyone with access to the recovery phrase can control the associated crypto.

Connecting your device to Ledger Live Desktop

  1. Connect the Ledger device to your computer using the supplied USB cable.
  2. Unlock the device by entering your PIN directly on the device. Never enter your device PIN into your computer keyboard — always use the device itself.
  3. Ledger Live Desktop should detect the connected device. If Manager access is required, grant it when prompted in the app and confirm on-device where necessary.

USB tips: If the device is not detected, try a different USB cable/port. Some cables are power-only and won’t transmit data.

Using Manager to install blockchain apps

Ledger devices run small blockchain-specific apps (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, etc.). These apps operate on-device to derive keys and sign transactions for their respective networks. Use the Manager tab in Ledger Live Desktop to install and update these apps.

  1. Open Ledger Live Desktop and go to Manager.
  2. Connect and unlock your device so Manager can access it.
  3. Browse the available apps and click Install on the ones you need.
  4. Uninstall unused apps to free space; uninstalling an app does not remove funds — accounts are derived from your seed and reappear when you reinstall the app and re-add the account.

Adding accounts in Ledger Live Desktop

After installing the necessary apps on your device, add accounts to Ledger Live Desktop so your balances and history are visible.

  1. Go to Accounts and click Add account.
  2. Select the cryptocurrency (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum) and follow the prompts. You’ll be asked to open the corresponding app on your device so Ledger Live can sync addresses and transactions.
  3. Label accounts for easier organization. You can add multiple accounts per currency and manage multiple currencies at once.

Ledger Live Desktop will scan the blockchain for activity related to the addresses derived from your device. This may take a short time depending on network activity.

Receive crypto — verify addresses on-device

  1. Select the account and click Receive.
  2. Ledger Live Desktop will generate a receiving address. Always verify the receiving address on your Ledger device screen and confirm it matches the one shown in the application before sharing it.
  3. Use the confirmed address in the sending wallet or exchange and send a small test amount first.

Verifying addresses on-device protects against malware or clipboard hijacking that could alter addresses displayed in Ledger Live.

Send crypto — always confirm on-device

  1. Click Send from the account, enter the recipient address and amount, and choose the desired network fee.
  2. Ledger Live Desktop will present the transaction details for review. Verify the details carefully.
  3. Your Ledger device will display the transaction details. Check the recipient address, amount, and fee on the device screen, then approve to cryptographically sign the transaction. Without device approval, transactions cannot be signed.

Do not approve transactions you did not initiate. If a transaction appears unexpected, cancel and investigate before proceeding.

Security best practices for desktop users

  • Never share your 24-word recovery phrase. Ledger support will never request it.
  • Store backups of your recovery phrase in safe, offline locations — consider a steel backup for protection against fire and water damage.
  • Use a unique Ledger Live application password and enable auto-lock to protect local data when the app is idle.
  • Keep your operating system and Ledger Live Desktop up to date. Apply firmware updates only from Ledger Live.
  • Use reputable antivirus tools and avoid installing software from unknown sources on the computer you use with Ledger Live Desktop.

Troubleshooting common desktop issues

Ledger Live Desktop does not detect my device

  • Try a different USB cable or port and make sure the device is unlocked (enter PIN) before connecting.
  • Some USB hubs or docking stations may not pass through data properly; connect directly to the computer if possible.
  • Restart Ledger Live Desktop and your computer. Reinstall Ledger Live from the official site if problems persist.

Firmware or app update fails

Ensure the device remains connected and unlocked during updates. Avoid interrupting the update. If an update fails repeatedly, follow Ledger's support guidance; do not attempt unofficial firmware installations.

I forgot my Ledger Live application password

Reinstalling Ledger Live Desktop clears local data and removes the application password. Reconnect and unlock your Ledger device to re-add accounts. Your funds remain safe as long as you have your recovery phrase and device.

Advanced topics

Passphrases (25th word) and hidden wallets

Ledger devices support an optional passphrase feature that acts as an additional secret (sometimes called a 25th word) and creates a separate wallet derived from the same seed. This adds an extra security layer and privacy, but increases recovery complexity. If you use a passphrase, record it securely — losing the passphrase means you cannot recover that wallet.

Third-party wallet integrations and multisig

Ledger hardware can be used with compatible third-party wallets and multisignature setups. When using third-party integrations, always verify transactions on-device and understand the trust model of the external software.

FAQ

Does Ledger Live Desktop store my private keys?

No. Private keys are generated and stored in the secure element of your Ledger hardware device and never leave the device. Ledger Live Desktop only helps create unsigned transactions that are sent to the device for signing.

Can I restore on a different device?

Yes. Using your 24-word recovery phrase (and passphrase if used) you can restore wallets on another Ledger device or any compatible wallet that supports the same derivation standards.

Resources & further reading