Ledger® Live: Desktop | Getting Started with Ledger

In the world of cryptocurrency, managing your digital assets securely and efficiently is essential. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned investor, Ledger® Live Desktop offers a trusted and user-friendly platform to control your crypto portfolio with confidence. Paired with Ledger’s world-renowned hardware wallets—such as the Ledger Nano X or Nano S Plus—Ledger Live Desktop ensures your private keys stay safe while giving you complete control over your digital wealth.

This step-by-step guide will walk you through getting started with Ledger® Live Desktop, from downloading and installing the app to managing your assets securely.

🖥️ What Is Ledger® Live Desktop?

Ledger® Live Desktop is the desktop version of Ledger’s all-in-one crypto management application. Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, it allows users to:

Set up and manage Ledger hardware wallets
View and track portfolio performance
Install apps for different crypto assets
Send, receive, and swap cryptocurrencies
Stake assets and earn rewards
Manage NFTs and access DeFi platforms

All of this is done while keeping your private keys offline and secure on your hardware wallet.

📥 Step 1: Download Ledger® Live Desktop

To begin, download the app from the official source to ensure security and authenticity.

✅ Official Download:

Visit the official Ledger website:
👉 https://www.ledger.com/ledger-live

Choose the appropriate version for your operating system:

Windows 8.1+ (64-bit)
macOS 10.14+
Linux (AppImage)

⚠️ Avoid downloading Ledger Live from unofficial sources to protect yourself from phishing or malware attacks.

💻 Step 2: Install and Launch the App

After downloading:

Open the installation file and follow on-screen instructions.
Once installed, launch the Ledger Live application.
Select "Get Started" to begin the setup process.

You’ll be prompted to choose your device:

Ledger Nano X
Ledger Nano S Plus
Ledger Nano S (legacy support)

If you don’t have a device yet, you can explore the app in “Watch-only” mode or purchase a device directly from the app interface.

🔐 Step 3: Set Up or Restore Your Ledger Device

Next, you'll be guided through connecting your Ledger hardware wallet.

Choose from the following options:

Set up a new device: The app will walk you through generating your 24-word recovery phrase, the only backup to your wallet.
Restore from recovery phrase: If you're recovering an existing wallet, enter your secure 24-word phrase on the Ledger device.

🔒 Important: Your recovery phrase must be kept offline, private, and secure. Never share it or store it digitally.

📲 Step 4: Connect and Pair Your Ledger Wallet

Once your device is initialized, connect it to your computer via USB.

Unlock the device using your PIN.
Ledger Live will detect the hardware wallet and verify its authenticity.
You may need to allow Ledger Manager access on your device to proceed.

After pairing, you're ready to install apps and manage accounts.

🧩 Step 5: Install Crypto Apps

Each supported cryptocurrency requires its own app installed on the Ledger hardware wallet.

To do this:

Navigate to “My Ledger” in the sidebar.
Connect and unlock your Ledger device.
Search for the crypto app (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum).
Click Install.

Ledger Live will install the app on your device, enabling you to add accounts for that coin or token.

💰 Step 6: Add Accounts

To manage crypto assets, you’ll need to create or restore accounts inside Ledger Live.

Here’s how:

Click “Accounts” > “Add Account”.
Select the cryptocurrency (e.g., ETH).
Follow the prompts and confirm on your Ledger device.
Once synced, the account will appear in your dashboard.

You can repeat this process to add multiple accounts for different blockchains.

📤 Step 7: Send and Receive Crypto

With your accounts set up, you’re ready to transact.

To Receive:

Click “Receive”, select the account, and confirm the address on your device.
Share your public address with the sender.

To Send:

Click “Send”, enter the recipient address and amount.
Confirm the transaction details on your Ledger device.

🛡️ Every transaction must be manually verified on your device, ensuring complete control and protection from tampering or malware.

📈 Step 8: Monitor Your Portfolio

The Portfolio section of Ledger Live gives you:

A full overview of your holdings
Price charts and performance tracking
Transaction history per account

You can also enable price alerts, view trends, and switch between fiat currencies for valuation.

🪙 Bonus Features for Desktop Users

Ledger Live Desktop offers more advanced tools than the mobile version, including:

🪙 Staking:

Earn passive income by staking coins like ETH, DOT, or ATOM directly in the app.

🔄 Swapping:

Exchange assets instantly with integrated swap partners—no exchange required, and your assets never leave your wallet.

🖼️ NFT Management:

View and manage Ethereum or Polygon-based NFTs securely from within the app.

🌐 DeFi Access:

Connect to DeFi platforms safely using WalletConnect and confirm every action on your Ledger device.

🚀 Ready to Take Control?

If you’re serious about crypto security, portfolio control, and self-custody, Ledger® Live Desktop is a must-have.

✅ Download today from the official website:
👉 https://www.ledger.com/ledger-live