Ledger Live Desktop — Getting Started (Official Guide)

kamm

— 1 min read

Ledger Live Desktop is the official application to manage your crypto securely with your Ledger hardware wallet (Nano S, Nano X, Ledger Stax). It keeps your private keys offline, while letting you view balances, send and receive crypto, stake assets, and manage multiple accounts safely.

1. Download and Install Ledger Live Desktop

  • Go to the official Ledger website to download Ledger Live Desktop.
  • Choose your operating system: Windows, macOS, or Linux.
  • Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to install the application.
⚠️ Only download Ledger Live from the official Ledger site to avoid fake or malicious versions.

2. Connect Your Ledger Device

  • Plug your Ledger hardware wallet into your computer using USB (or pair via Bluetooth if supported).
  • Turn on your device.
  • Ledger Live Desktop should detect the device automatically.

3. Initialize or Restore Your Ledger Device

When opening Ledger Live Desktop for the first time:

  1. Click “Get Started”.
  2. Choose either:
    • Set up as a new device if you are using a new Ledger wallet.
    • Restore from recovery phrase if you already have a 24-word seed.
  3. Follow the guided steps to:
    • Set a secure PIN on your device.
    • Record your 24-word recovery phrase securely on paper or metal backup.
⚠️ Never enter your recovery phrase into your computer or online.

4. Install Blockchain Apps and Add Accounts

  • Open the Manager tab in Ledger Live Desktop.
  • Install apps for the cryptocurrencies you want to manage (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum).
  • Go to Accounts → Add Account to add your wallets. Ledger Live will sync addresses and show balances.

5. Manage Your Crypto Safely

With Ledger Live Desktop, you can:

  • View portfolio and account balances
  • Send and receive crypto, confirming each transaction on your Ledger device
  • Buy, swap, and stake supported assets
  • Track NFTs

All private keys remain on your device. Ledger Live only prepares transactions, which must be signed on the hardware wallet.

6. Security Best Practices

  • Only use Ledger Live downloaded from the official Ledger website.
  • Never share your recovery phrase with anyone or type it into a computer.
  • Always verify transactions on your hardware device before approving.
  • Keep your Ledger firmware and Ledger Live software up to date.

Summary

Ledger Live Desktop is a secure, local interface for managing your crypto safely with your Ledger hardware wallet. The key steps are:

  1. Download and install Ledger Live Desktop.
  2. Connect your Ledger device.
  3. Initialize or restore your wallet.
  4. Install blockchain apps and add accounts.
  5. Manage crypto transactions, always confirming on the device.

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