Make your first session
a confident one.
Ledger Live Desktop is the official desktop application designed to work alongside a Ledger hardware wallet. It brings account information and transaction preparation into one interface, while the device itself keeps the private keys protected. This guide walks through the essentials without rushing the details.
01 Before you begin
Start with the source, not a search advertisement or a download mirror. Visit the official Ledger Live page and follow its instructions for your operating system. Check that the address is ledger.com before downloading, and avoid links in unsolicited messages. The application will never need your recovery phrase to install or update.
Have your Ledger device nearby, use a computer you trust, and set aside a few uninterrupted minutes. If the device is new, follow the on-device prompts to initialize it. Write your recovery phrase on the supplied recovery sheet and keep it offline in a private, secure place. It is the backup to your wallet—not a password to share with an app, support agent, or website.
02 Starting up your device
Open Ledger Live Desktop after installation and choose the option that matches your situation: set up a new device, restore access using your hardware device, or connect an existing one. Read each prompt on both screens. Confirm sensitive actions on the Ledger itself, where the details are shown independently from your computer.
During onboarding, Ledger Live may offer a genuine-device check and a software update. Use the in-app flow and verify each request on the device before approving it. Create a PIN directly on the hardware wallet. Never type your recovery phrase into your computer, a browser window, a chat, or a form—even if a message claims this is required to fix an urgent issue.
03 A simple everyday rhythm
Once connected, you can add accounts for supported assets and review balances and activity. Portfolio values are estimates that can move with market prices; they are useful context, not a guarantee of value or a recommendation to buy or sell. For a transfer, check the network, destination address, and amount carefully. Then compare the transaction details displayed on your device with what you intended before approving.
Keep the application and your computer updated through trusted channels. If you are uncertain about an address, network, unexpected prompt, or transaction, pause. A small test transfer may help you confirm details before sending a larger amount, though network fees and risks still apply.
04 Security essentials
Your recovery phrase is the master backup. Anyone who obtains it may be able to access the assets secured by it. Ledger support will not ask you to reveal it, and Ledger Live does not need it during normal use. Treat urgent requests, giveaways, remote-access offers, and unofficial support accounts with skepticism.
For product-specific instructions, check Ledger Support. For the latest application release and official downloads, return to Ledger’s Ledger Live page. This independent guide is educational and is not an endorsement, financial advice, or a substitute for checking the current instructions supplied by Ledger.
Go slowly, verify on your device, and keep your recovery phrase offline.