Ledger® Live: Desktop | Getting Started with Ledger

Welcome to Ledger® Live Desktop – The Official Crypto Management App

If you're beginning your crypto journey or looking to enhance the way you manage your digital assets, Ledger® Live: Desktop is the perfect starting point. As the official desktop application for Ledger hardware wallets, it provides a secure, streamlined way to buy, sell, send, receive, stake, and manage your cryptocurrency.

Paired with your Ledger Nano S Plus or Ledger Nano X, Ledger® Live ensures you maintain full control over your private keys while enjoying a smooth and intuitive crypto experience from your computer.

What is Ledger® Live?

Ledger® Live is a powerful software platform developed by Ledger, designed to manage your crypto assets while maintaining hardware-level security. It is available for both desktop and mobile, but this guide focuses on the desktop version for Windows, macOS, and Linux users.

Unlike hot wallets, Ledger Live connects directly to your Ledger hardware wallet, which stores your private keys offline—keeping them safe from online threats.

Why Use Ledger® Live: Desktop?

Here are the main reasons users worldwide trust Ledger Live Desktop:

• Top-notch security through physical confirmation of all transactions
• All-in-one interface to manage multiple cryptocurrencies and NFTs
• Regular updates from Ledger for new features and coin support
• Direct integration with third-party partners for crypto buying and swapping
• Portfolio insights and detailed transaction history

Everything happens on your screen, but nothing happens without your Ledger device confirming it.

Getting Started: How to Set Up Ledger Live on Desktop

Step 1: Download Ledger® Live

Only download Ledger Live from the official Ledger website: https://www.ledger.com/ledger-live

Select the version for your operating system:

• Windows 10+
• macOS 10.14+
• Linux (AppImage format)

Step 2: Install the App

Once downloaded:

• Open the installation file
• Follow the setup instructions
• Launch Ledger Live after installation

Step 3: Set Up Your Ledger Device

If you're new to Ledger:

• Choose “Initialize as new device”
• Follow the steps on your Ledger Nano S Plus or Nano X to create a PIN and generate your 24-word recovery phrase
• Write down your recovery phrase and store it securely offline

If you already have a device:

• Choose “Restore device from recovery phrase”

Step 4: Pair Device with Ledger Live

After initializing or restoring your device, connect it to the Ledger Live app. The app will recognize your hardware wallet, and you can move on to managing your assets.

Using Ledger Live Desktop for Crypto Management

Once set up, Ledger Live Desktop becomes your personal control center for all things crypto.

✅ Add Crypto Accounts

Go to “Accounts” > Add Account Select your crypto (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana), and the app will sync your current balance and transaction history.

✅ Send and Receive Crypto

• Send: Choose an account, enter the recipient address, and confirm the transaction using your Ledger device.
• Receive: Generate a receiving address securely on-screen. Always verify the address on your device display.

✅ Buy, Sell, and Swap

Use Ledger’s trusted third-party partners like MoonPay and Changelly to:

• Buy crypto directly with credit/debit card
• Swap between coins (e.g., ETH to SOL)
• Sell crypto in supported regions

All transactions must be approved on your Ledger hardware wallet.

✅ Stake Crypto

Start earning rewards by staking coins directly through Ledger Live:

• Supported assets: Ethereum, Tezos, Polkadot, Cosmos, and more
• Stake and unstake with ease
• Monitor staking rewards in real-time

✅ Manage NFTs

Ledger Live Desktop supports Ethereum and Polygon-based NFTs:

• View NFT art in your portfolio
• Send and receive NFTs securely
• Keep collectibles safe with cold storage

Portfolio Management Made Simple

Ledger Live includes a real-time portfolio dashboard:

• View your total balance across all crypto assets
• Track historical performance with charts and filters
• Organize by asset class, coin, or value
• Export reports for tax or accounting purposes

Supported Assets

With Ledger Live Desktop, you can manage over 5,000 coins and tokens, including:

• Bitcoin (BTC)
• Ethereum (ETH)
• Solana (SOL)
• Cardano (ADA)
• Ripple (XRP)
• Polkadot (DOT)
• Litecoin (LTC)
• Stablecoins like USDT, USDC, DAI
• ERC-20, BEP-20, and Polygon tokens
• NFTs on Ethereum and Polygon

Whether you're holding long term or trading frequently, Ledger Live makes management seamless.

Stay Secure: Tips for Safe Usage

1. Download only from the official site (ledger.com)
2. Never share your 24-word recovery phrase—not even with Ledger
3. Enable password lock on Ledger Live for added protection
4. Keep your Ledger device firmware updated
5. Avoid phishing—verify URLs and ignore unsolicited messages

Final Thoughts

Ledger® Live: Desktop is the most secure and user-friendly way to manage your cryptocurrency on a computer. Paired with a Ledger hardware wallet, it ensures you retain complete control over your digital assets, all while enjoying the convenience of a feature-rich interface.

Whether you're just starting with your first Bitcoin or managing a diverse crypto portfolio, Ledger Live Desktop is your trusted platform for safe, smart, and simple crypto management.