Ledger® Live: Desktop® — Getting Started

A friendly, step-by-step guide to install Ledger® Live on desktop, connect your hardware device, add accounts, and keep your crypto secure.

What is Ledger® Live Desktop?

Ledger® Live is the official desktop app that lets you manage cryptocurrency assets, interact with dApps, update your Ledger hardware firmware, and monitor your portfolio from your computer. It connects with Ledger hardware wallets (Ledger® Nano S Plus, Nano X, etc.) to keep private keys offline while letting you sign transactions securely.

Before you begin — checklist

  • Your Ledger hardware device (Nano X, Nano S Plus, or compatible model).
  • A macOS, Windows, or Linux desktop computer with a free USB port.
  • Latest version of Ledger® Live installer (download only from the official Ledger website).
  • Your 24-word recovery phrase stored safely and offline (never enter it on a computer or website).

Quick install (3 steps)

1
Download Ledger® Live
Visit the official Ledger website and download the Ledger® Live Desktop installer for your operating system. Always confirm the domain and file checksum if possible.
2
Install & open
Run the installer, follow the prompts, then launch Ledger® Live. Accept updates and permissions when requested.
3
Connect your device
Plug your Ledger hardware into your computer with the supplied USB cable. On the device, enter your PIN to unlock it and open the appropriate app when prompted (e.g., Bitcoin app for BTC).

Full setup — detailed steps

1. Download safely

Only download Ledger® Live from the official Ledger website. Avoid third-party download pages. On the site you will find installers for Windows macOS and Linux.

2. Install and open

  1. Run the installer you downloaded. Follow the OS installer prompts (drag to Applications on macOS, run .exe/.msi on Windows, or follow packaging instructions for Linux).
  2. Open Ledger® Live. The app will present a short welcome and ask whether you already own a Ledger device or need to set up a new one.
  3. Choose I already have a Ledger device if you have an existing hardware wallet and want to use Ledger® Live to manage it. Choose Set up a new device if starting from scratch.

3. Connect your hardware and unlock

Plug your Ledger device into USB. On the device: enter your PIN, then open the Ledger Live manager (if instructed). Ledger® Live will detect your device and guide you through any missing firmware or app installs.

4. Add accounts

In Ledger® Live, go to Accounts → Add account, choose an asset (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, etc.), and follow the on-screen steps. The Ledger device will confirm account derivation and display addresses for verification.

5. Receive, send and manage assets

  • Receive: Select an account → Receive → Verify the displayed address on your Ledger device before sharing it.
  • Send: Compose a transaction in Ledger® Live, connect your device, and physically confirm the transaction details on the device’s screen to sign it.
  • Portfolio & staking: Track your portfolio, view historical performance, and stake supported assets directly in the app (if available for your asset).

6. App Manager & firmware updates

The Manager lets you install or remove blockchain apps on your device. Keep firmware updated — Ledger® Live will notify you when new firmware is available. Only update firmware through Ledger® Live and always ensure you have your recovery phrase backed up before performing firmware updates.

Security best practices

  • Never share your 24-word recovery phrase: Your recovery phrase is the ultimate key to your funds. Ledger® will never ask for it. Store it offline, in a secure place.
  • Verify addresses on device: Always confirm recipient addresses on the device screen — software can be manipulated, hardware confirms reality.
  • Download only official software: Use only the official Ledger domain and verify checksums when possible.
  • Use a strong PIN: Choose a PIN you can remember but others can’t guess. If you enter the wrong PIN multiple times the device will wipe; keep your recovery phrase safe.
  • Keep backups safe: Consider a metal backup for your recovery phrase to protect against fire/water damage.

Troubleshooting — common issues

Ledger® Live doesn't detect my device

Try a different USB cable or USB port. Ensure the device is unlocked (enter PIN). On some systems you may need to close other wallet software (browser wallets) that access the device. Reboot your computer if detection fails.

Transactions stuck / pending

Check network fees and confirmations on a block explorer. If the fee was too low, you may need to use a fee bump feature (if supported) or wait for network confirmation. Ledger® Live shows transaction status and details.

Firmware update failed

Do not disconnect the device during a firmware update. If an update fails, follow Ledger's recovery instructions in Ledger® Live. Ensure you have your recovery phrase before attempting recovery.

Advanced tips

  • Use multiple accounts to organize funds (e.g., one account for long-term holdings, another for active trading).
  • Enable Live’s auto-update only if you trust the environment; otherwise check updates manually.
  • For developers: Ledger® Live also exposes APIs and developer tooling — consult Ledger's official developer docs for integrations.