Ledger® Live: Desktop® — Getting Started

Welcome to your comprehensive guide on getting started with Ledger® Live Desktop®. Whether you’re a newcomer or upgrading your crypto management workflow, this guide will walk you through the essential steps to install, set up, and securely use Ledger Live on your computer. Ledger Live Desktop is the heart of managing your Ledger hardware wallets and your crypto portfolio, providing a user-friendly, safe, and powerful interface.

1. What Is Ledger® Live Desktop®?

Ledger Live Desktop is the official application provided by Ledger to manage your crypto assets safely. It connects directly to your Ledger hardware wallet (such as Ledger Nano S, Nano S Plus, or Nano X) and provides features including:

• Checking portfolio balances across multiple cryptocurrencies
• Sending and receiving crypto transactions
• Installing and managing apps on your Ledger hardware device
• Accessing staking and other blockchain services supported by Ledger Live
• Firmware updates for your device

This application runs locally on your computer, keeping your sensitive data off the cloud and protected by Ledger’s robust security architecture.

2. Downloading and Installing Ledger Live Desktop

To start using Ledger Live Desktop, follow these steps:

1. Visit the official Ledger website at https://www.ledger.com/ledger-live.
2. Choose the appropriate installer for your operating system: Windows, macOS, or Linux.
3. Download the installation file.
4. Run the installer and follow on-screen instructions to complete installation.

3. Initial Setup: Creating or Restoring a Wallet

Once Ledger Live Desktop is installed and launched, you can set up your wallet in one of two ways:

3.1 Creating a New Wallet

If you’re new to Ledger hardware wallets, select “Initialize as new device” during the setup process. You will be guided through the creation of your 24-word recovery phrase. This recovery phrase is your ultimate backup and key to your crypto assets — keep it safe, offline, and never share it with anyone.

3.2 Restoring an Existing Wallet

If you already have a Ledger device or a recovery phrase from another wallet, select “Restore device” to enter your recovery phrase securely. Ledger Live will then restore your wallet information without exposing your private keys to the internet.

4. Connecting Your Ledger Hardware Wallet

To manage your assets, Ledger Live Desktop needs to connect to your Ledger hardware device:

1. Plug your Ledger device into your computer using a USB cable.
2. Enter your PIN code directly on the device.
3. Ledger Live will detect the device and display its status.

If your device is not detected, ensure you have the latest version of Ledger Live, and try a different USB port or cable. Also, check that the device is unlocked with the correct PIN.

5. Managing Cryptocurrency Accounts

Ledger Live supports a wide range of cryptocurrencies. After connecting your hardware wallet, you can add accounts for supported coins:

1. Navigate to the “Accounts” tab.
2. Click “Add account”.
3. Select the cryptocurrency you want to add.
4. Ledger Live will scan your hardware device and blockchain to retrieve balances and transaction history.

You can add multiple accounts for different cryptocurrencies or multiple accounts of the same type (e.g., multiple Bitcoin accounts).

6. Sending and Receiving Crypto

6.1 Receiving Funds

1. Go to the account you want to receive funds into.
2. Click the “Receive” button.
3. Ledger Live will generate a receiving address, which you should verify on your hardware device.
4. Share this address with the sender.

Always confirm the address displayed on your Ledger device matches what Ledger Live shows. This step protects you from malware or tampering attacks.

6.2 Sending Funds

1. Go to the account you want to send from.
2. Click “Send”.
3. Enter the recipient’s address, amount, and optionally set transaction fees.
4. Confirm all details and verify the transaction summary on your Ledger device.
5. Approve the transaction on the hardware device to sign and broadcast it to the blockchain.

Never approve a transaction without verifying all details directly on your Ledger device.

7. Updating Firmware and Apps

Ledger periodically releases firmware updates to improve security and add new features:

1. Go to the “Manager” tab in Ledger Live.
2. If a firmware update is available, a notification will appear.
3. Follow on-screen instructions carefully to update your device’s firmware.
4. You can also install or uninstall cryptocurrency apps on your device here.

Always keep your device’s firmware up to date to ensure optimal security.

8. Staking and Additional Features

Ledger Live Desktop also supports staking certain cryptocurrencies directly within the app. This allows you to earn rewards by participating in blockchain network validation:

• Supported coins include Tezos (XTZ), Algorand (ALGO), Cosmos (ATOM), and more.
• Navigate to the staking section from the dashboard or accounts tab.
• Follow prompts to delegate your tokens securely through your Ledger device.

Ledger Live continually expands its support for new features and coins—check for updates regularly.

9. Security Best Practices

• Always keep your recovery phrase offline and stored securely in a safe location.
• Never share your recovery phrase or PIN with anyone.
• Verify all transaction details directly on your Ledger device screen before approval.
• Download Ledger Live only from the official Ledger website.
• Regularly update Ledger Live Desktop and your device firmware.
• Be cautious of phishing attempts—always double-check URLs and sources.

10. Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you encounter problems, try these steps:

• Restart Ledger Live Desktop and reconnect your device.
• Use a different USB cable or port.
• Make sure your device is unlocked and running the latest firmware.
• Temporarily disable firewall or antivirus software that may block USB connections.
• Reinstall Ledger Live Desktop if problems persist.