The official desktop companion for Ledger hardware wallets: manage accounts, update firmware, interact with partners, and monitor your portfolio — all while keeping private keys safely on your device.
Ledger Live Desktop is designed for people who want full control over their crypto with strong, hardware-backed security. It combines a polished desktop interface with Ledger's hardware-level signing model: all private key operations happen only on your Ledger device, while Ledger Live handles account discovery, transaction construction, portfolio views, and partner integrations. Whether you’re sending funds, staking, swapping tokens, or tracking an NFT collection, Ledger Live gives you an auditable, secure workflow.
This page shows a secure, step-by-step approach to using Ledger Live Desktop safely, with practical best practices and troubleshooting tips. Follow official links when downloading software, and confirm device prompts on the hardware screen for every signature.
Managing crypto safely is about two things: controlling private keys and reducing human error. Ledger Live Desktop keeps keys isolated on a hardware device while offering a clear desktop UI for constructing and reviewing transactions. That separation reduces the risk from malware or malicious browser pages. Ledger Live also centralizes account views, enabling straightforward bookkeeping, exportable transaction history, and portfolio performance metrics you can rely on for decision-making.
For many users, Ledger Live becomes the trusted hub: it coordinates firmware, partners, and device settings in one place, and it surfaces crucial confirmations that must be approved on the device itself — a practical way to keep high assurance without sacrificing usability.
Ledger’s model is intentionally simple: keys are generated and stored on-device, Ledger Live constructs unsigned transactions, the device displays transaction details for human verification, and only the approved signature is returned. This guarantees that sensitive material never touches your desktop. Ledger Live verifies firmware signatures and helps you apply signed firmware updates, reducing the chance of running tampered code.
Always verify recipients and amounts on the device screen before approving.
Ledger Live helps install and verify firmware signatures to ensure device integrity.
Open-source resources and clear UX reduce ambiguity in signing flows.
Get Ledger Live Desktop from the official site: ledger.com/ledger-live/download. Choose the installer for your OS (Windows, macOS, Linux) and verify checksums if you want extra assurance. After installing, launch Ledger Live and follow the “Get started” wizard to connect your Ledger device, initialize a new wallet or restore an existing one, and add accounts.
Important: Ledger Live will never ask you to type your recovery phrase into the app. If any website, app, or person requests your seed, treat it as a scam and stop immediately.
Testing with small transfers reduces risk when you try a new integration or smart contract.
Ledger Live Desktop lists vetted third-party partners for swaps, staking, and DeFi services. Use these integrations when possible rather than unknown dApps. Ledger’s developer resources and GitHub host integration examples for teams building compliant apps.
For structured learning, see Ledger Academy and official documentation to deepen your understanding of staking, NFTs, and DeFi interactions.
A — Official download page: ledger.com/ledger-live/download. Always verify the source and checksums if you want extra safety.
A — No. Your recovery phrase is never stored in Ledger Live. It is generated and displayed on your Ledger device and must be recorded offline by you.
A — Ledger Live Desktop verifies and applies signed firmware updates. Confirm prompts on the device and consult Ledger Support if anything looks suspicious.
A — Yes. Use Ledger-approved partner integrations listed in Ledger Live or follow Ledger’s developer guidance to connect safely. Always confirm signatures on-device.
A — Helpful resources: Ledger Academy, Support Center, Ledger Blog, and Ledger GitHub.
Use these official pages during setup and beyond — always confirm domains before downloading or entering sensitive data.