01
Find the real download
Type ledger.com/ledger-live into your browser yourself. Confirm the site address and choose the desktop version for your operating system.
Official download page THE DESKTOP WALLET FIELD GUIDE
Your crypto,
clearly in view.
A practical, independent guide to Ledger Live Desktop—from a safe first install to managing accounts and understanding your portfolio.
Independent guide · Always verify downloads at Ledger.com
✳Desktop clarity.
Hardware-backed control.
DESKTOP / 01 Hardware-backed control.
AN INDEPENDENT STARTING POINTScroll to explore
01 / THE ESSENTIALS
One desktop app.
A clearer view.
Ledger Live Desktop is a companion app for connecting with supported Ledger hardware wallets and viewing crypto accounts from your computer. It brings account balances, transaction history, and selected services into one interface.
Your hardware device remains central: private keys are kept on the device, and transactions should be checked on its screen before you approve them. Ledger Live is a management interface—not a place to reveal your recovery phrase.
Start with the security essentialsDesktop firstManage supported accounts from your computer
Device connectedUse a compatible hardware signer for approvals
Your phrase stays privateNever type it into a computer or share it
02 / YOUR FIRST SESSION
Getting started,
the safe way.
Take a few minutes to set up deliberately. Small checks up front help you avoid lookalike downloads and rushed approvals.
02
Set up your device
Follow the prompts on your Ledger device. If you already have a wallet, restore access only on the physical device using its official instructions—never in the desktop app.
Ledger Support03
Connect, then review
Open Ledger Live, connect and unlock your device, then follow the in-app pairing steps. Verify account details and read every transaction on the device screen before confirming.
Review security checklistNever share your 24-word recovery phrase. Ledger support will never need it. Anyone who gets it can take control of the assets it protects.
See all safety checks03 / WHAT YOU CAN DO
A useful desktop
companion, at a glance.
Explore the core ideas behind portfolio tracking, account management, and Ledger Live’s supported services.
A portfolio at a glance
See supported crypto accounts and balances together, with market values that make your holdings easier to review.
Accounts, organised
Add accounts for supported networks, review activity, and keep your desktop view structured around the assets you use.
Device-led security
Pair a compatible Ledger signer and review sensitive transactions on its trusted screen before confirming.
More ways to manage
Explore supported services from the app, while checking network, fees, availability, and provider terms before use.
Feature support can change and may depend on asset, network, device, and location. Check current information in Ledger Live and official support resources.
04 / PORTFOLIO TRACKING
See the whole.
Question the details.
A desktop overview can make it easier to scan supported accounts and follow activity. It is a helpful snapshot—not a promise about what an asset is worth or what it will be worth tomorrow.
- ✓ Review balances across supported accounts
- ✓ Follow transaction history in context
- ✓ Remember that displayed values can fluctuate
PORTFOLIO OVERVIEW● SAMPLE VIEW
Your accounts, one view.
ACCOUNT ACTIVITYILLUSTRATIVE ONLY
₿Bitcoin account••••••
◆Ethereum account••••••
Sample interface illustration. Not live account data or financial advice.
05 / YOUR SECURITY CHECKLIST
Pause. Verify.
Then approve.
Good habits are part of every wallet workflow. Keep this short checklist close when you install, connect, or review a transaction.
Protect your recovery phrase
Keep it offline and private. Never enter it into Ledger Live, a website, a support chat, or a computer.
Check the device screen
Confirm the recipient address, amount, and network on the trusted screen of your Ledger device before signing.
Use official routes
Type official web addresses yourself. Be cautious with sponsored search results, unsolicited messages, and lookalike support accounts.
Understand what you approve
Do not sign a transaction you do not understand. Smart-contract approvals can grant permissions beyond a single transfer.
06 / COMMON QUESTIONS
A few things
worth knowing.
Clear answers for your first Ledger Live Desktop session.
More help at Ledger SupportWhat is Ledger Live Desktop?
Ledger Live Desktop is the desktop companion app for managing supported Ledger hardware wallets and crypto accounts. It can help you view portfolio information, add accounts, and access supported services. Availability may depend on your device, operating system, network, and region.
Does Ledger Live store my recovery phrase?
Your 24-word recovery phrase belongs offline with you and should never be entered into a website, app, computer, or shared with anyone. Ledger Live does not need you to disclose your phrase to install or use the desktop app.
Can I use Ledger Live without a Ledger device?
Some portfolio information and app areas may be viewable without connecting a device, but a Ledger hardware signer is required to authorize transactions with keys secured on that device. Verify current features on Ledger’s official help pages.
Why does my balance look different from a market price?
Displayed values are estimates based on asset quantities and market data, which can vary by provider, refresh timing, currency, and network. A displayed portfolio estimate is not a guaranteed sale price.
What should I do if Ledger Live asks for my recovery phrase?
Stop immediately. Never type your recovery phrase into Ledger Live or share it with support. Close the request and reach Ledger support using the official support website that you type into your browser yourself.
READY WHEN YOU ARE
Take the next step.
Keep your keys yours.
For app downloads, device compatibility, and the latest product details, use Ledger’s official resources. Always verify the URL before you continue.
This is an independent educational guide and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Ledger. Crypto assets involve risk; this content is not financial advice.