Ledger® Live: Desktop | Getting Started™ with Ledger®Ledger® Live: Desktop | Getting Started™ with Ledger®As the cryptocurrency market continues to expand, so does the need for safe, intuitive, and powerful tools that help individuals manage their digital assets. Whether you're a new user just stepping into crypto or a seasoned investor protecting long-term holdings, the importance of secure asset management cannot be overstated. That’s where Ledger® Live: Desktop comes into play.
Ledger Live is more than just a companion app to Ledger’s hardware wallets—it's a complete platform for managing, monitoring, and growing your crypto portfolio. With Ledger Live Desktop, users can buy, sell, swap, stake, and track thousands of crypto assets while maintaining full control over their private keys. If you're ready to take the first step into the world of secure crypto management, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know.
Ledger® Live: Desktop is the official desktop application developed by Ledger for managing cryptocurrency assets in combination with a Ledger hardware wallet. It is available on Windows, macOS, and Linux, offering cross-platform functionality that fits any desktop environment.
The key function of Ledger Live is to serve as the interface through which users interact with their cryptocurrencies, but without ever compromising their private keys. The application supports over 5,500 digital assets, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Cardano, and numerous tokens across a wide range of blockchain ecosystems.
Ledger Live works seamlessly with Ledger’s physical devices, such as the Ledger Nano S Plus and Ledger Nano X. These devices ensure that your private keys never leave the hardware wallet. This isolation from your internet-connected computer protects against phishing, malware, and other cyberattacks.
With Ledger Live Desktop, you can manage multiple cryptocurrencies in one place. From buying and selling to staking and swapping, every feature is built for user convenience and maximum functionality.
Despite being a powerful tool, Ledger Live offers a clean, intuitive dashboard. The interface is easy to navigate, even for beginners. Every transaction or change must be manually confirmed on the physical device, ensuring that security and usability work hand-in-hand.
Before installing Ledger Live, set up your Ledger hardware wallet:
Plug in your device and choose a PIN code.
Write down your 24-word recovery phrase. This phrase is the only way to recover your wallet if the device is lost or damaged.
Confirm your recovery phrase and finish the setup.
Visit the official Ledger website and download the version of Ledger Live Desktop compatible with your operating system. Install and launch the app on your computer.
Use the USB cable to connect your Ledger wallet to your computer. Ledger Live will walk you through verifying your device’s authenticity.
Once your device is connected and verified, you can start adding crypto accounts. For each cryptocurrency you want to manage (like Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.), you’ll need to add a specific account in Ledger Live.
Ledger Live provides a real-time overview of your entire portfolio. You’ll see current values, profit/loss history, and allocation percentages—all updated live.
All transactions must be approved directly on your Ledger hardware wallet. This ensures that no transaction can be made without your physical confirmation.
Buy crypto directly within the app using Ledger’s trusted partners. You can also swap one cryptocurrency for another without needing to move funds to a centralized exchange.
Ledger Live supports staking for several Proof-of-Stake coins including Ethereum, Polkadot, Tezos, and more. You can earn passive income while still retaining full control of your funds.
Ledger Live also supports NFT visualization and storage. View and manage your Ethereum-based NFTs directly from your desktop in a secure environment.
Never share your 24-word recovery phrase. This is the most sensitive information you own.
Keep your device’s firmware and Ledger Live updated. Regular updates include important security and usability improvements.
Double-check every address before sending funds—even the smallest mistake can result in lost crypto.
Use only official Ledger software and avoid third-party tools unless explicitly trusted.
Ledger Live is suitable for:
First-time crypto users who value simplicity and guidance.
Long-term investors seeking secure cold storage.
Advanced users exploring DeFi, NFTs, or managing multiple portfolios.
Institutions or businesses needing high-level asset protection and account separation.
Getting started with cryptocurrency can be daunting, but with Ledger® Live: Desktop, the process becomes safe, smooth, and manageable. When paired with a Ledger hardware wallet, you gain complete ownership of your digital assets—without compromising on user experience or peace of mind.
Whether you’re storing Bitcoin, staking Ethereum, or collecting NFTs, Ledger Live Desktop provides all the tools you need, right from your computer.
Start smart. Start secure. Start with Ledger®.
