Ledger® Live: Desktop

Welcome to Lédgér® Live: Desktop

Ledger® Live is the official application to manage your cryptocurrency portfolio with a Ledger hardware wallet. With Ledger Live Desktop, you can store, send, receive, stake, and monitor your assets—all from your computer, with your private keys secured offline in your Ledger Nano device.

This guide walks you through every step of getting started—from installation to advanced features. Whether you’re new to crypto or a seasoned investor, Lédgér® gives you complete control over your digital assets.

1. Download Ledger® Live Desktop

Always download Ledger Live only from the official site: https://ledger.com/start.

1. Go to the official page and choose your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux).
2. Click “Download Ledger Live”.
3. Verify the download using the checksum provided.

2. Install and Launch the App

Follow the prompts to install the application. Once installed, open Ledger Live Desktop. You’ll be presented with a welcome screen asking whether you want to set up a new device or connect an existing one.

3. Set Up Your Ledger Device

Connecting Your Nano

Connect your Ledger Nano S Plus or Nano X via USB. Enter your PIN code. If this is your first time, you'll be asked to initialize the device by generating a new 24-word recovery phrase.

Secure Your Recovery Phrase

• Write down the 24-word phrase on the recovery sheet provided.
• Do NOT take photos or store it online.
• Store in a secure physical location, ideally offline and locked.

4. Add Accounts

Ledger Live supports thousands of coins and tokens. To manage assets:

1. Click “Accounts” > “Add Account”.
2. Select your coin (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum).
3. Open the corresponding app on your Ledger device.
4. Ledger Live will sync your wallet and display your balance.

5. Receive and Send Crypto

Receiving:

• Go to “Receive” and select the account.
• Ledger will display a public address. Verify it on your device screen.
• Copy and share the address to receive funds.

Sending:

• Click “Send”, enter the destination address and amount.
• Verify transaction details on your Ledger device.
• Physically approve the transaction to proceed.

6. Portfolio Management

Ledger Live displays all your accounts, balances, price charts, and transaction history in one place. You can track your total net worth, see individual coin performance, and view historical trends over time.

7. Swap, Buy, and Stake

Swap:

Exchange one crypto for another directly through Ledger Live via third-party providers. Your assets stay safe within your wallet.

Buy:

Purchase crypto using your bank card or transfer, integrated within the app.

Stake:

Stake supported coins like ETH, DOT, or ATOM to earn rewards. Staking via Ledger ensures your private keys never leave the device.

8. Updating Firmware and Apps

Ledger regularly provides firmware updates to patch bugs and improve security. In Ledger Live:

• Go to “My Ledger” tab
• Allow Manager access on your device
• Check for firmware and app updates
• Follow instructions to update safely

9. Security Tips

• NEVER share your recovery phrase with anyone
• Only download Ledger Live from the official site
• Do not store seed phrases online or in cloud services
• Be cautious of fake support emails or social media scams

10. Backup and Recovery

If your device is lost or damaged, your 24-word recovery phrase allows you to restore access on a new Ledger or compatible wallet. Keep backups secure and consider using fireproof or waterproof storage for extra protection.

11. Advanced: Passphrase Feature

Ledger also