Ledger Live Desktop — Secure, reliable, desktop-first
Ledger Live Desktop is the secure, feature-rich application designed for managing your Ledger hardware wallet on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Built to provide a reliable bridge between your device and the blockchain, it keeps private keys isolated on the hardware while giving you an easy-to-use interface for sending, receiving, staking, and monitoring assets. Installation is straightforward: download the official installer from Ledger’s website, verify its checksum if you want extra assurance, launch the app, and follow the guided setup to connect your Ledger device and create or restore your recovery phrase.
The desktop app displays a clear portfolio overview with balances, recent activity, and performance charts. Adding accounts is simple — choose the cryptocurrency, install the corresponding app on your Ledger device when prompted, and confirm addresses on-device to protect against malware. When initiating transactions, Ledger Live Desktop shows detailed fee options and requires physical confirmation on the hardware, ensuring high safety for every transfer. For power users, advanced settings offer custom gas fees and developer options to connect to custom nodes.
Ledger Live also integrates trusted third-party services for swapping tokens and buying crypto directly from within the app; these integrations are optional and require explicit approval. Regular firmware and app updates are surfaced inside the desktop application, and updating promptly reduces exposure to security vulnerabilities. You can enable additional privacy measures like passphrase-derived hidden accounts and watch-only profiles to monitor addresses without exposing keys.
Security best practices matter: never share your 24-word recovery phrase, avoid entering it on any computer, and consider storing it in a secure offline location. If you move to a new computer, reinstall Ledger Live and restore access with your recovery phrase only on a Ledger device — your funds always remain on the blockchain, not inside the software. Together, Ledger Live Desktop and a Ledger hardware wallet form a robust, practical setup for everyday crypto management, balancing usability with strong protection.