Ledger Live Desktop® — Manage Your Crypto™ Assets Safely

A concise, practical guide to set up Ledger Live Desktop, secure your hardware wallet, manage accounts, stake assets, update firmware, and troubleshoot common issues.

Get started — quick overview

Ledger Live Desktop connects to your Ledger hardware wallet to let you securely manage cryptocurrencies. Private keys remain on the device; Ledger Live constructs and displays transactions while the device signs them. This separation keeps keys offline and reduces exposure to malware.

Install Ledger Live Desktop

  1. Download Ledger Live from the official site (ledger.com/start) and select the Desktop installer for Windows, macOS, or Linux.
  2. Verify installer checksums if provided, then install and open Ledger Live. Create a local profile when prompted — it stores UI preferences and a local encrypted cache, not your seed.
  3. Keep Ledger Live updated — updates include UX improvements and compatibility with new chains.

Device setup — initialize or restore

When first using your Ledger device, choose to set up as new or restore an existing wallet from a recovery phrase.

  1. Connect your Ledger device with the official cable and power it on.
  2. Choose "Set up as new device" on the device and follow the prompts in Ledger Live.
  3. Create a PIN on-device. Use a non-trivial PIN and do not store it with your recovery phrase.
  4. Write down the recovery phrase shown on the device in the correct order — this is the only way to restore your wallet.

Recovery phrase — backup & safety

Your recovery phrase (typically 24 words) is the single most important credential. Protect it offline and physically.

  • Write the phrase by hand on the provided recovery sheet; double-check spelling and order.
  • Store copies in separate secure locations (home safe, bank safe deposit box).
  • Consider stainless steel backups for fire/water resistance.
  • Never photograph or store the seed digitally.
If the recovery phrase is exposed, create a new seed on a fresh device and transfer funds immediately.

Accounts & Manager — enable assets

Ledger Manager installs small blockchain-specific apps on your device enabling support for particular cryptocurrencies. Accounts in Ledger Live reflect addresses derived from your recovery phrase.

  1. Open Ledger Live → Manager with the device connected and unlocked.
  2. Install app(s) for the assets you want to manage (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, etc.).
  3. After installing apps, go to Accounts → Add account to scan for addresses tied to your seed.

Apps can be removed and reinstalled; account access depends on your recovery phrase, not installed apps.

Send & receive — safe transaction flow

Receive

  1. Open Ledger Live → Accounts → Receive.
  2. Select the account and request an address.
  3. Confirm that the address shown in Ledger Live matches the one displayed on your device before sharing it.

Send

  1. Open Accounts → Send. Paste the recipient address and set the amount.
  2. Review fees and transaction details in Ledger Live.
  3. Confirm the transaction on your Ledger device to sign it — the private key never leaves the device.

Always verify the address on the device to avoid clipboard or host‑side manipulation.

Staking & earning — understand the risks

Ledger Live supports staking for selected Proof-of-Stake networks. Staking can earn rewards but may involve lock-up periods and protocol risk.

  1. Confirm the asset supports staking in Ledger Live and add the account.
  2. Select Stake/Delegate and choose a validator after researching fees and reliability.
  3. Confirm the delegation on-device and monitor rewards and unbonding periods in Ledger Live.

Staking is not risk-free; understand validator behavior and slashing policies before delegating funds.

Firmware updates & maintenance

Firmware updates are signed and distributed by Ledger. Regular updates apply security patches and compatibility fixes.

  1. Ledger Live will notify you when firmware is available. Read release notes first.
  2. Perform updates via Ledger Live while connected; confirm any checksums or fingerprints if presented.
  3. Do not disconnect the device during updates; if an update fails, reconnect and use the recovery options provided.

Keep your device clean, dry, and stored safely. Avoid extreme temperatures and strong magnetic fields.

Security best practices

  • Purchase devices only from official or authorized sellers to avoid supply‑chain tampering.
  • Never disclose your recovery phrase; Ledger support will not ask for it.
  • Use a strong PIN and consider an optional passphrase only if you can manage it securely.
  • For large holdings, consider multisignature wallets and custody diversification.
  • Test restores on spare hardware to ensure your backups work.
If you suspect compromise — seed exposure or device tampering — generate a new seed on a verified device and transfer funds immediately.

Troubleshooting & support

Device not detected

  • Try a different USB cable or port; use the original cable where possible.
  • Restart Ledger Live and your computer; check system permissions.

Firmware or Manager issues

If an update fails, reconnect and follow Ledger Live's recovery prompts. Contact official support if problems persist — never share recovery phrase details.

Lost recovery phrase

Without your recovery phrase, wallet recovery is impossible. If you still have device access, create a new wallet and transfer funds immediately.