" Ledger® Live: Desktop | Getting started - Support

Ledger® Live: Desktop — Getting started • Support ✨

Your friendly guide to installing, securing, and using Ledger Live on desktop — clear steps, tips, and safety reminders. 🚀

Quick Overview 🔍

Ledger Live is the official desktop app for Ledger hardware wallets. It helps you manage multiple cryptocurrencies, check balances, send and receive funds, and install app updates for your device — all from a single secure interface. This guide shows the essential steps to get started on Windows, macOS, or Linux, and shares practical tips to keep your keys safe.

Why use Ledger Live? ✅

  • Centralized dashboard for portfolio tracking and transaction history. 📊
  • Directly manages apps and firmware on your Ledger device with strong isolation. 🔒
  • Supports many coins and tokens while keeping private keys offline. 🛡️
  • Built-in swap and staking integrations (where supported). ↔️

Getting started — Step by step 🛠️

  1. Download Ledger Live from the official Ledger website. Always verify the URL before downloading. 🌐
  2. Install the desktop application for your OS and follow on-screen prompts.
  3. Open Ledger Live and choose “Set up as new device” or “Restore from recovery phrase” depending on your situation.
  4. Connect your Ledger device via USB (or USB-C) and follow the in-app instructions to pair it with Ledger Live.
  5. Install coin apps on the device using the Manager tab inside Ledger Live to add support for the cryptocurrencies you use. ⚙️
  6. Verify addresses on the hardware device before sending or receiving funds — always check the address physically on your Ledger screen. ✔️

Best practices & security tips 🔐

Treat your recovery phrase like a bank vault key: never store it digitally, never share it, and never enter it into websites or apps. Keep your firmware and Ledger Live app updated to benefit from the latest security improvements. If you receive unsolicited messages claiming to be Ledger support, verify them via the official website first — Ledger will never ask for your 24-word recovery phrase.

Troubleshooting — Common issues 🧰

If Ledger Live does not detect your device: try a different USB cable, ensure Bridge (or drivers) is installed for your OS, and restart the app. For transaction errors, confirm the app for that coin is installed on the device and that the device screen shows the transaction details for user confirmation.

Tip: If a step feels unexpected, stop and check ledger.com/support — it’s safer than clicking unknown links. ⚠️

Glossary — short & sweet 📚

Firmware

Software that runs on the Ledger device. Updating firmware can add features and fix vulnerabilities.

Recovery phrase

A human-readable sequence of words that recreates your wallet if the device is lost or damaged. Keep it offline and private.