Ledger Live Desktop — Setup & Getting Started

Ledger Live Desktop is the official application by Ledger for securely managing your cryptocurrencies, tokens, NFTs, and more. This guide covers the installation process, first-time setup, and essential safety practices to ensure your assets stay protected from digital threats.

Why use Ledger Live Desktop?

Ledger Live Desktop gives users a powerful yet secure way to interact with their Ledger hardware wallet. Unlike web wallets, Ledger Live ensures your private keys never leave the device. It supports crypto purchases, staking, swaps, and real-time portfolio tracking—all under one encrypted platform, built by Ledger.

What you need before you begin

A Ledger Nano S, Nano X, or Ledger Stax device
A desktop computer (Windows, macOS, or Linux)
An official USB cable to connect your Ledger device
An internet connection for downloading and syncing
Time to carefully follow setup instructions (15–30 minutes)

Step-by-step setup guide

Download Ledger Live. Go to the official Ledger website and download the latest Ledger Live Desktop version for your OS.
Install and launch the app. Open the installer and follow on-screen steps. Once installed, launch the application.
Connect your Ledger device. Plug in your hardware wallet and unlock it with your PIN.
Set up a new device or restore. Choose to either set up a new wallet or restore from an existing recovery phrase. For new wallets, follow the guided steps to generate your 24-word seed securely on the device.
Install crypto apps. From the "Manager" tab, install apps for each supported cryptocurrency you want to manage (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum).
Add accounts. Use the "Accounts" tab to add individual wallets under your device for each coin or token type.
Start transacting. You can now send, receive, or stake assets. Every transaction will require on-device confirmation for security.

Important security tips

Never share your 24-word recovery phrase online or with anyone
Always verify addresses and transactions on the device screen
Enable password lock and optionally use a passphrase
Only download Ledger Live from the official Ledger website

Note: Ledger Live can also be used with mobile devices via Ledger Live Mobile (iOS & Android), but desktop users often benefit from larger displays and full feature access.

Stay up to date

Ledger regularly updates Ledger Live Desktop with new features and bug fixes. Keep the app and your device firmware current to benefit from the latest in security and functionality. You’ll be notified in-app when updates are available.