Getting™ Started | Ledger® Live: Desktop® — official (EN-us)

Getting™ Started with Ledger® Live: Desktop®

Welcome to Ledger® Live, your official desktop application for managing your Ledger® hardware wallet and digital assets securely. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to set up, navigate, and optimize Ledger® Live on your desktop. Whether you are new to cryptocurrency or an experienced user looking to get started with Ledger® Live, this guide provides step-by-step instructions, best practices, and tips to ensure a smooth experience.

1. Introduction to Ledger® Live

Ledger® Live is the official desktop application developed by Ledger®, the leading hardware wallet provider. It allows you to:

  • Securely manage multiple cryptocurrencies.
  • View real-time portfolio balances and performance.
  • Send and receive assets with confidence.
  • Install and manage applications on your Ledger® hardware device.

Ledger® Live is designed with security and usability in mind. All operations occur locally on your computer and Ledger® device, ensuring that your private keys never leave your hardware wallet. This makes it one of the safest ways to manage your crypto assets.

2. System Requirements

Before installing Ledger® Live, make sure your desktop environment meets the following requirements:

For Windows:

  • Windows 10 or later.
  • 64-bit operating system.
  • Minimum 2GB RAM (4GB recommended).
  • At least 200MB free disk space.

For macOS:

  • macOS 10.14 or later.
  • Minimum 2GB RAM.
  • At least 200MB free disk space.

For Linux:

  • Ubuntu 18.04+ or equivalent.
  • Minimum 2GB RAM.
  • 200MB free disk space.

Additional requirements:

  • USB port for connecting your Ledger® device.
  • Internet connection for downloading the application and cryptocurrency data.

3. Downloading Ledger® Live

  1. Open your preferred browser and visit the official Ledger® website: https://www.ledger.com/ledger-live
  2. Click on Download Ledger® Live.
  3. Select your operating system: Windows, macOS, or Linux.
  4. Wait for the download to complete and verify that the file matches the checksum provided on the Ledger® website. Verifying the checksum ensures that the download has not been tampered with.

Pro Tip: Always download Ledger® Live from the official Ledger® website to avoid malicious copies.

4. Installing Ledger® Live on Desktop

Windows Installation:

  1. Locate the downloaded .exe file.
  2. Double-click to start the installation wizard.
  3. Follow the prompts to install Ledger® Live.
  4. Once installed, launch the application.

macOS Installation:

  1. Locate the .dmg file in your Downloads folder.
  2. Drag the Ledger® Live icon into the Applications folder.
  3. Open Applications and launch Ledger® Live.

Linux Installation:

  1. Extract the .AppImage or .deb file.
  2. For .AppImage, right-click → Properties → Allow executing as a program.
  3. Double-click the file to launch Ledger® Live.

5. Initial Setup of Ledger® Live

When you open Ledger® Live for the first time, you will be prompted to configure your application:

  1. Language Selection: Choose your preferred language (English, Spanish, French, etc.).
  2. Terms of Use: Read and accept the terms and conditions.
  3. Ledger Device Setup: Connect your Ledger® hardware wallet via USB.
  4. Device Selection: Choose the type of Ledger® device you own (Ledger Nano S, Ledger Nano S Plus, Ledger Nano X, etc.).
  5. Secure Your Device: If this is a new device, you will be guided to set up your PIN and recovery phrase.Important: Never share your 24-word recovery phrase with anyone. Ledger® employees or official support will never ask for it.
  6. Restore or Create Wallet:
    • Restore wallet: Enter your existing 24-word recovery phrase.
    • Create new wallet: Follow the instructions to generate a new secure wallet.

6. Ledger® Live Dashboard Overview

Once setup is complete, you will land on the Ledger® Live dashboard. Here’s an overview of its main components:

  • Portfolio: Displays all cryptocurrencies managed on your Ledger® device, including real-time balances, price changes, and total portfolio value.
  • Accounts: Lists all your cryptocurrency accounts. Each account corresponds to a different blockchain address on your Ledger® device.
  • Send & Receive: Enables secure sending and receiving of digital assets.
  • Manager: Install, update, or uninstall apps on your Ledger® hardware wallet.
  • Settings: Customize your Ledger® Live experience, including language, currency, themes, and security preferences.

7. Adding Accounts in Ledger® Live

To manage your cryptocurrencies, you need to add accounts for each blockchain:

  1. Open Ledger® Live and click on Accounts → Add Account.
  2. Select the cryptocurrency you want to manage (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, etc.).
  3. Connect your Ledger® device and unlock it.
  4. Follow the prompts to synchronize the account with Ledger® Live.
  5. Once added, the account will appear on your dashboard with its balance and transaction history.

You can repeat this process for multiple cryptocurrencies and blockchains.

8. Sending and Receiving Cryptocurrencies

Receiving Assets:

  1. Navigate to Accounts.
  2. Select the account you want to receive assets into.
  3. Click Receive.
  4. Connect your Ledger® device and verify the address on the device screen.
  5. Copy the address or scan the QR code to share with the sender.

Sending Assets:

  1. Go to Accounts and select the account to send from.
  2. Click Send.
  3. Enter the recipient’s address, amount, and optional memo/tag.
  4. Verify the transaction details on your Ledger® device.
  5. Confirm to send securely.

Tip: Always double-check the address on your Ledger® device screen. Addresses shown on your computer can be tampered with by malware.

9. Installing and Managing Apps on Ledger® Device

Ledger® hardware wallets require apps to interact with different blockchains:

  1. Open Manager in Ledger® Live.
  2. Connect your Ledger® device.
  3. Browse the list of available apps (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Polkadot, etc.).
  4. Click Install to add the app to your device.
  5. Click Uninstall to remove apps you no longer need.

Each app uses storage space on your Ledger® device. Make sure you have enough space before installing multiple apps.

10. Updating Ledger® Live and Device Firmware

Keeping your Ledger® Live app and device firmware up to date is critical for security:

  • Ledger® Live updates: The app will notify you when a new version is available. Download and install updates promptly.
  • Ledger® device firmware: Ledger® Live will notify you when a new firmware version is available. Connect your device and follow on-screen instructions to update.

Important: Never enter your recovery phrase during updates. Ledger® updates never require sharing your 24-word phrase.

11. Security Best Practices

Ledger® Live is secure, but following these best practices is essential:

  1. Keep your recovery phrase offline: Never store it digitally or online.
  2. Verify addresses on your device: Always confirm addresses on the Ledger® hardware display.
  3. Use a strong PIN: Avoid simple PIN codes that can be guessed easily.
  4. Download Ledger® Live only from the official site.
  5. Enable password protection on your computer: Protects Ledger® Live data from unauthorized access.

12. Portfolio Tracking and Analytics

Ledger® Live offers real-time portfolio tracking:

  • View total portfolio value in your preferred fiat currency.
  • Track performance trends over days, weeks, or months.
  • Monitor individual cryptocurrency balances and changes.
  • Export portfolio reports for accounting or tax purposes.

This feature allows users to make informed decisions based on performance trends and market changes.

13. Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with the most secure setup, users may face occasional issues:

Ledger® device not recognized:

  • Check USB connection.
  • Restart Ledger® Live.
  • Ensure device firmware is up to date.

Transaction not confirmed:

  • Verify network fees.
  • Check blockchain explorer for confirmation status.
  • Reconnect Ledger® device and resend if necessary.

Sync issues:

  • Close and reopen Ledger® Live.
  • Ensure your internet connection is stable.
  • Update Ledger® Live to the latest version.

Ledger® support provides detailed guidance if problems persist.

14. Advanced Features

Ledger® Live also includes advanced functionalities for experienced users:

  • Staking: Stake supported cryptocurrencies directly from Ledger® Live to earn rewards.
  • Swap: Exchange one cryptocurrency for another securely.
  • Live price alerts: Set notifications for price changes.
  • Custom tokens: Add and track custom or less common tokens.

15. Closing Notes

Ledger® Live provides a secure, user-friendly interface to manage cryptocurrencies through your Ledger® hardware wallet. By following this guide, you can:

  • Install and configure Ledger® Live on desktop.
  • Add and manage multiple cryptocurrency accounts.
  • Send, receive, and track assets securely.
  • Keep your device and apps up to date.
  • Optimize security with best practices and verification steps.

Your digital assets are in safe hands with Ledger® Live, and with careful use, you can enjoy full control and security of your crypto portfolio.

Congratulations! You are now ready to explore Ledger® Live Desktop® and manage your cryptocurrencies confidently and securely.