
Ledger® Live: Desktop | Getting Started with Ledgér®
Welcome to Ledger® Live: Desktop, your official software companion for managing and securing your cryptocurrency with Ledger® hardware wallets. This guide will walk you through the essential steps to get started with Ledger Live on desktop, from installation to sending your first transaction.
Ledger Live offers a powerful yet user-friendly interface to help you manage your digital assets securely, with full control and confidence. Whether you’re using a Ledger Nano S Plus, Nano X, or Ledger Stax™, Ledger Live ensures seamless interaction with your device.
✅ What Is Ledger® Live?
Ledger Live is the official desktop application developed by Ledger for interacting with your hardware wallet. It allows you to:
- Set up and initialize your Ledger device
- Install crypto apps and add accounts
- Send and receive cryptocurrencies
- Buy, sell, and stake assets
- Manage NFTs and explore Web3 dApps
Ledger Live keeps your private keys offline and your transactions secure. It is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
🖥️ Step 1: Download Ledger Live for Desktop
The first step is downloading Ledger Live from the official website only.
👉 Go to: https://www.ledger.com/start
- Click on “Download Ledger Live”
- Select your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux)
- Follow your system prompts to install the application
⚠️ Security Tip: Never download Ledger Live from unofficial sources or third-party sites.
🔐 Step 2: Launch Ledger Live and Begin Setup
Once installed, open Ledger Live. On your first launch, you'll be guided through the onboarding process.
You’ll be prompted to:
- Set up a new device
- If you’re starting fresh, choose this option and follow the steps.
- Restore a device from recovery phrase
- Choose this if you’re restoring an existing wallet using your 24-word phrase.
- Use an already-initialized device
- If you already set up your Ledger on another system, simply connect your device.
Next, you’ll be asked to:
- Connect your Ledger device using the USB cable
- Enter your PIN code on the hardware wallet
- Allow Ledger Manager access on your device when prompted
✍️ Step 3: Install Apps & Add Crypto Accounts
Ledger Live uses apps to manage different blockchains. For example, to use Bitcoin, you need the Bitcoin app installed on your Ledger device.
To install an app:
- Go to “Manager” in the Ledger Live sidebar
- Unlock your Ledger device
- Search for the app (e.g., Ethereum, Solana, Cardano)
- Click “Install”
After installing apps, you can add accounts to Ledger Live:
- Go to Accounts > Add Account
- Select the crypto asset
- Follow the prompts to sync your wallet with the blockchain
Your balances will now appear in the Ledger Live dashboard.
💰 Step 4: Receive and Send Crypto
Now you’re ready to move funds in and out of your wallet.
To receive:
- Click “Receive” in Ledger Live
- Choose the crypto account
- Connect and unlock your Ledger device
- Verify the address on the device screen
- Share your address to receive funds
To send:
- Click “Send”
- Enter the recipient’s address and amount
- Confirm the transaction in Ledger Live
- Physically verify and approve it on your Ledger device
All outgoing transactions require physical confirmation on your Ledger device, keeping your funds secure.
🔒 Safety Reminders
Your Ledger device is only as secure as how you use it. Here are critical safety tips:
- Never share your 24-word recovery phrase
- Ledger will never contact you asking for your seed phrase
- Only download Ledger Live from ledger.com
- Bookmark the site: https://www.ledger.com/start
- Avoid browser extensions claiming to be Ledger-related
🌐 Explore More with Ledger Live
Ledger Live isn’t just for basic transactions. It also supports:
- Staking: Earn rewards with coins like ETH, DOT, ADA, and ATOM
- Buy & Sell Crypto: Integrated partners let you buy/sell directly in Ledger Live
- NFT Support: View, receive, and send NFTs (Ethereum & Solana)
- Web3 Access: Connect securely to dApps using Ledger Extension or MetaMask + Ledger
All this while your private keys stay safely stored on your Ledger device — never exposed online.
🆘 Get Help Anytime
Need support? The Ledger team has you covered:
- 📚 Help Center: support.ledger.com
- 🎥 Tutorials: Ledger’s YouTube Channel
- 📰 Ledger Blog & Academy: Learn best practices and crypto trends
- 💬 Live Chat Support (Mon–Fri via Ledger Support)
Always use official channels—scammers often impersonate support agents in forums or social media.
✅ You’re Now Ready to Secure Your Crypto
Congratulations — you’ve set up Ledger Live on desktop and taken the first step toward secure, self-custodied crypto. With Ledger Live, your portfolio is always in your hands, your keys are offline, and your peace of mind is real.