Ledger™ Live: Desktop — Secure crypto management for your hardware wallet
Everything you need to manage, send, receive and grow your crypto — built around your Ledger hardware wallet.
Ledger™ Live: Desktop — Your secure gateway to crypto
Ledger™ Live: Desktop is the official desktop application that connects seamlessly with your Ledger hardware wallet so you can manage assets safely and confidently. This page explains how Ledger™ Live: Desktop works, how to complete a ledger live download, why Ledger Live is the standard companion to the ledger live wallet, and practical tips to keep your keys secure. If you're exploring Ledger Live for the first time or switching from another wallet, everything you need is summarized below.
What is Ledger™ Live: Desktop?
Ledger™ Live: Desktop is a native app (Windows, macOS, Linux) designed to interact with Ledger hardware wallets (Ledger Nano S Plus, Ledger Nano X and others). It acts as the primary interface for account management, asset overview, transaction history and application installation on your device. Ledger Live is not just a simple wallet UI — it performs local signing using the private keys stored on your Ledger device so private keys never leave the hardware. The software combines usability with best-practice security.
Core capabilities of Ledger Live Desktop
Ledger Live provides the following main capabilities:
Account management
Add multiple accounts for Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, and thousands of tokens and NFTs.
Secure transaction signing
All sensitive signatures happen on your hardware wallet, keeping your recovery seed offline.
App manager
Install or remove blockchain apps on your Ledger device from the desktop manager.
Swap and buy
Access third-party services to buy assets, swap tokens, or stake, depending on region and support.
Ledger Live download — Desktop installation guide
To start, perform an official ledger live download from Ledger's website. Always download Ledger Live from the official source to avoid tampered builds:
1. Verify checksums when available. 2. Install and open Ledger Live. 3. Connect your Ledger hardware wallet using USB or Bluetooth (for supported devices). 4. Create or restore accounts in the Accounts tab. 5. Use the Manager to install or update blockchain apps on your device.
Why verify the download?
Verifying the source and checksum prevents installing a malicious client. Ledger publishes verification instructions on their support pages; consult the link above. Remember: the safest workflow is always to get Ledger Live from the official ledger.com domain and to never enter your 24-word recovery phrase in any app or website.
Ledger live wallet features and best practices
When combined with your Ledger hardware wallet, Ledger Live functions as the trusted dashboard for your crypto holdings. Below are core features and recommended practices to maximize security when using Ledger Live.
Primary features
Ledger Live supports account overview, sending and receiving assets, transaction history, portfolio analytics and integration with third-party providers for swaps, purchases and staking. It also supports plugin connectivity for advanced users and integrates with decentralized apps (dApps) via secure bridges when needed.
Security best practices
- Keep your Ledger device firmware up to date through Ledger Live's Manager.
- Never share your recovery phrase. Ledger will never ask for it.
- Use a dedicated computer for critical financial operations when possible.
- Opt for a passphrase-protected seed only if you understand the consequences (it adds complexity and responsibility).
Common troubleshooting tips
If Ledger Live fails to detect your device: try a different USB cable, ensure device firmware is up to date, enable USB debugging if using an OS that requires it, and consult Ledger Support for device-specific guidance.
Ledger™ Live: Desktop — Advanced workflows and power user tips
Power users rely on Ledger Live for more than basic sending and receiving. Below are advanced topics that many users adopt as their needs grow.
Multi-account strategies and asset segregation
Use multiple accounts inside Ledger Live to segment funds — for example, one account for long-term holdings, another for active trading or staking. Each account reflects public addresses derived from your Ledger seed, and Ledger Live shows balances and transaction histories separately for clarity.
Integrations and third-party bridges
Ledger Live supports integrations: be aware that third-party services require explicit approval during transaction signing. Always confirm recipient addresses on the hardware device screen to guarantee the transaction destination is correct.
Backing up and recovery
Backing up the 24-word recovery phrase remains the foundational safety net. Ledger Live facilitates device restoration on a new Ledger device by guiding users through the standard recovery process — but the recovery step happens on the device, not in the software.
NFTs, tokens, and portfolio visibility
Ledger Live's portfolio view aggregates token balances and (when supported) NFT holdings with visual previews. For some chains or tokens, you may need to use dedicated dApp explorers alongside Ledger Live to verify token metadata.
FAQs about Ledger Live Desktop
Is Ledger Live the same as my Ledger hardware wallet?
No — Ledger Live is the desktop application that interfaces with your hardware wallet. The private keys remain on the hardware device; Ledger Live provides management and local signing.
Can I use Ledger Live without a hardware device?
Ledger Live can be explored without a device, but real account access and signing require a connected Ledger hardware wallet.
Ready to install? Visit the official Ledger Live download page, connect your Ledger hardware wallet, and follow the guided setup. Ledger Live and the ledger live wallet duo provide a secure, user-friendly way to take control of your crypto with best-practice protections.