Ledger Live Desktop — Secure, simple crypto management on your computer

Ledger Live is the desktop application that lets you manage hardware wallets from your computer — view balances, send and receive coins, manage apps, and keep track of transactions with a secure, local-first approach.

What Ledger Live Desktop does

Ledger Live Desktop pairs with your Ledger hardware device to provide a trusted interface to your cryptocurrency holdings. It serves three main purposes:

  • Portfolio overview: view balances across accounts, supported coins and tokens, and recent transactions in one place.
  • Transaction management: create, review and sign transactions using your physical Ledger device — private keys never leave the device.
  • Device & app management: install or remove coin-specific applications on the hardware wallet and update firmware when needed.

Core features at a glance

Multi-asset support

Bitcoin, Ethereum, major altcoins and many tokens supported via native apps and integration.

Local-first security

Private keys stay on your Ledger device. Ledger Live communicates only to read balances and build unsigned transactions.

Portfolio & analytics

Track performance over time, check fiat conversions and export transaction history for accounting.

Connect to dapps

Securely interact with decentralized apps via WalletConnect or built-in integrations when required.

Quick setup — desktop install & first run

  1. Download Ledger Live: always download from the official Ledger website or a verified source. Do not use links received via email or social media.
  2. Install and open: run the installer and open Ledger Live. Allow firewall permissions only if you intend to check network status or use live price feeds.
  3. Create or restore: on first launch, you can create a new software profile or restore an existing Ledger hardware wallet by following the on-screen flow and confirming actions on the physical device.
  4. Install apps: through the Manager tab, install coin-specific apps onto your Ledger device. Each app uses a modest portion of device storage.
  5. Add accounts: add accounts for the coins you use. Ledger Live will derive addresses from your hardware wallet; confirm each address on-device.

Security best practices

Ledger Live is secure by design, but you should follow a few simple rules:

  • Always verify the website and download from the official Ledger domain.
  • Never enter your 24-word recovery phrase into Ledger Live or any online form. The recovery phrase is only for device recovery.
  • Keep firmware and Ledger Live up to date, but verify update details on official channels.
  • Use a dedicated computer if you transact large sums and consider disk encryption and a strong OS password.
  • Cross-check receiving addresses on your hardware device before sending funds.

Troubleshooting & tips

If Ledger Live fails to detect your device, try these steps first:

  • Use the USB cable that came with the device and plug directly into your computer (avoid hubs where possible).
  • Unlock the Ledger device and open the required coin app before attempting to manage accounts.
  • Restart Ledger Live and, if necessary, reconnect the device. Check OS-level permissions for USB access.

For transaction fees and speed, Ledger Live shows suggested fees; you can often choose between standard and priority levels within the transaction flow.

Practical workflows

Everyday users typically complete these common workflows:

  • Receive funds: open Ledger Live, select the account, click Receive and confirm the address shown on your device. Share that on-device-verified address with the sender.
  • Send funds: enter the recipient address and amount in Ledger Live, then review and confirm the transaction details on your Ledger hardware wallet before signing.
  • Portfolio checks: use the dashboard to review holdings, check performance charts and export CSV reports for taxes or accounting.

When to update firmware or apps

Firmware and app updates include security patches, new coin support and performance improvements. Update when Ledger publishes a verified release — but first read the release notes and back up your recovery phrase before any firmware update.