Ledger® Live: Desktop® — Getting Started

Step-by-step desktop guide for Ledger® Live: installation, device connection, account management, security, firmware, and troubleshooting.

Overview

What you'll find here

This guide walks you through using Ledger® Live on desktop: safely downloading the app, installing, connecting your Ledger hardware device, adding accounts, sending and receiving assets, updating firmware and applications, preventing common attacks, and troubleshooting typical problems. It is written for new users but includes notes for power users and developers.

Key sections include: download & verification, initial setup, account management, transaction flow, security best practices, firmware & app management, backups, troubleshooting, and developer/advanced integrations.

Step 1

Download Ledger® Live (desktop)

Ledger® Live can be downloaded for Windows, macOS, and Linux from Ledger’s official domain. For security, always navigate to the official site manually and verify TLS certificate details if you have concerns.

Download checklist

  • Go to the official domain (type it manually into the address bar).
  • Prefer official installer packages for desktop and official app stores for mobile versions.
  • When available, verify file signatures or hashes provided by Ledger against the downloaded installer.
  • Avoid downloading from third-party mirrors or links shared in unverified channels.

Tip: If you are on a public or untrusted network, postpone initial setup until you have a private, secure connection.

Step 2

Install & launch Ledger® Live

Run the installer for your platform and follow the on-screen instructions. On first launch, Ledger® Live will present options for new users and returning users. The desktop app contains the Manager for firmware and app installations, an Accounts section, a Portfolio overview, and Settings to configure telemetry and preferences.

Initial setup options

  • Configure a new device: use this if you have an unopened Ledger hardware wallet.
  • Restore from recovery phrase: restore to a new Ledger hardware wallet using your recovery phrase if you are migrating.
  • Use existing device: connect your device to view accounts and manage assets.
Step 3

Connect your Ledger hardware device

Connect your Ledger device (Nano S Plus, Nano X, etc.) to your computer with a data-capable USB cable. For Nano X, Bluetooth is supported on mobile — desktop uses USB. Ensure the device shows the expected welcome or app screen and that you've entered your device PIN on the hardware device when prompted.

Allowing Ledger® Live to communicate

  • Open Ledger® Live and go to Manager to detect the device.
  • When the device prompts for permission to connect, confirm on the hardware device only.
  • Ledger® Live will ask for permission to access public account information — this is safe and does not expose private keys.

Reminder: Ledger® Live never asks for your recovery phrase. If prompted anywhere to enter your recovery phrase into software, stop immediately.

Step 4

Add accounts & manage assets

Accounts are added per cryptocurrency. Ledger® Live derives public addresses from your device's seed to show balances and transaction history. For tokens and some chains, additional steps or third-party integrations may be required.

How to add an account

  1. Open Ledger® Live → Accounts → Add account.
  2. Select the coin or token you want to add.
  3. Follow prompts and confirm the derived address on your device.
  4. Repeat for each coin or token family you manage.

Pro tip: Use separate accounts/addresses for distinct purposes (e.g., savings vs spending) to improve privacy and bookkeeping.

Step 5

Receive & send crypto

Ledger® Live handles transaction construction and broadcasting while the device signs transactions. Always verify addresses and amounts on the device screen.

Receiving

  • Choose the account → Receive → Generate address in Ledger® Live.
  • Confirm the displayed receiving address matches the address on your hardware device before sharing it.
  • Send a small test amount first to verify the transaction flow.

Sending

  • Initiate a send in Ledger® Live and review details in the app.
  • Connect and unlock your device, then confirm transaction details on the hardware device screen.
  • Only after you approve on the device will Ledger® Live broadcast the signed transaction.

Clipboard warning: Malware may alter a copied address. Prefer verifying addresses shown on the hardware device or using QR codes.

Step 6

Firmware updates & app management

Use Ledger® Live's Manager to install device apps (for specific coins) and apply firmware updates. Firmware updates are signed by Ledger and verified on-device. Always follow prompts and ensure you do not disconnect during updates.

Updating safely

  • Open Ledger® Live → Manager; Ledger® Live will indicate available firmware updates and app updates.
  • Follow the step-by-step instructions and confirm actions on the device.
  • Do not interrupt the update process. If interrupted, follow recovery instructions and restore from your recovery phrase if necessary.
Security

Protect your recovery & device

Your recovery phrase is the single most critical element for recovering funds. Keep it offline, offline, offline. Use a PIN and consider a passphrase only if you understand its implications.

Practical security steps

  • Recovery phrase: Write it down on the supplied sheet or a metal backup. Do not store digitally or photograph it.
  • PIN: Set a PIN and enter it on the device; this thwarts casual theft.
  • Passphrase: Optional advanced layer—acts as a 25th word. Losing a passphrase means losing that wallet.
  • Verify domains: always verify the URL and certificate when downloading software or following setup links.
  • Phishing awareness: never enter your recovery phrase into websites or share it. Ledger employees will never ask for it.
Step 7

Backup & recovery workflow

If your device is lost, stolen, or damaged, your recovery phrase restores your wallets on a compatible device. Test recovery only in a secure environment and keep backups separated.

Best backup approaches

  • Create at least two physical copies and store them in separate secure locations.
  • Use durable metal backups to protect against fire, water, or degradation over time.
  • Consider geographically separated storage for catastrophic scenarios.
Troubleshooting

Common problems & fixes

Below are practical fixes for issues you might encounter during desktop setup and use.

  • Device not detected: try a different USB cable/port, ensure the cable supports data, avoid hubs, and restart Ledger® Live.
  • Permission errors: on some OSes you may need to install drivers or grant USB permissions — follow Ledger’s official troubleshooting docs.
  • Firmware update failed: retry the update with a reliable cable and stable connection; restore from recovery phrase if device is reset.
  • App install fails: free disk space, ensure Ledger® Live is up to date, and retry. If persistent, collect app logs for support.
  • Forgot PIN: after too many failed attempts, the device will wipe. Restore using your recovery phrase on a new device.

If problems persist, Ledger® Live can generate diagnostic logs to share with support. Only share logs with official support channels and avoid posting sensitive data publicly.

Advanced

Developer integrations & power-user tips

Ledger devices integrate with many third-party wallets and developer tools (HWI, web3 libraries, CLI tools). Use official SDKs and always keep seed material out of automated systems. 

// conceptual example (pseudocode)
const ledger = await Ledger.connect();
const accounts = await ledger.getAccounts({ coin: 'eth' });
const tx = createTx(...);
const signed = await ledger.signTransaction(tx);

For scripted flows, isolate the environment, avoid embedding recovery phrases, and perform signing only on trusted machines. Audit dependencies and maintain strict operational security.