Ledger® Live: Desktop — Getting Started with Ledger Live

Quick start: Install Ledger Live for Desktop

Ledger Live is the secure app that lets you manage your hardware wallet and your crypto from a desktop application. This guide covers installing Ledger Live on Windows, macOS, or Linux, initializing your device, and safely restoring accounts. Follow the steps below to go from download to transactions in minutes — while keeping your private keys offline.

Download Ledger Live

Always download Ledger Live from the official Ledger website or an official mirror. Verify the URL and checksum if available.

Install and open

Run the installer and open Ledger Live. On first run, create or restore a profile on the app (not your device). Ledger Live will guide you.

Connect your Ledger hardware device

Using the original cable, connect your Ledger device. Follow on-screen instructions to set up the device PIN and write down the recovery phrase.

Add accounts in Ledger Live

In Ledger Live, go to Accounts → Add account, choose a currency, and follow the prompts to sync addresses from your hardware device.

Perform a test transaction

Send a small amount first to confirm everything works. Verify addresses on the device screen and confirm with your PIN.

Pro tips & security

Keep your recovery phrase offline and never share it. Ledger Live facilitates many features — portfolio overview, staking, and app management — but your private keys remain on your Ledger device.

Why Ledger Live?

Ledger Live provides a unified, secure desktop experience to manage hardware wallets and cryptocurrency accounts without exposing private keys.

Compatibility

Ledger Live Desktop supports Windows, macOS and Linux. The same app lets you manage multiple Ledger hardware devices.

Privacy

Your accounts are derived locally. Ledger Live may request data to show market prices but your seed remains inaccessible externally.

Useful number

This guide revision ID: 1456 — keep it handy when referencing this content for support or notes.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is Ledger Live free to use?

Yes. Ledger Live is free to download and use. Only network fees apply when sending transactions on blockchains.

2. Can I restore my Ledger on another device?

Yes. Using your recovery phrase you can restore your accounts on another Ledger device. Keep your recovery phrase safe and offline.

3. Should I type my recovery phrase into Ledger Live?

Never. Ledger Live will never ask you to type your recovery phrase. Recovery phrases must be entered only on a trusted hardware device when prompted during device initialization.

4. How do I update my Ledger device firmware?

Ledger Live will notify you of firmware updates when a device is connected. Follow on-screen instructions and confirm on the device to complete updates.

5. What if I lost my device?

Your funds are not lost as long as you have your recovery phrase. Purchase a new Ledger device and restore using your recovery phrase—but never share the phrase with anyone.

Need more help?

Visit the official Ledger Support center or consult Ledger’s documentation for step-by-step walkthroughs and video guides.

Ledger® Live — Getting Started (Desktop)

Quick start: Install Ledger Live for Desktop

Pro tips & security

Why Ledger Live?

Compatibility

Privacy

Useful number

Download & Install

Initialize device

Add Accounts

Test Transaction

Short checklist