Ledger Live: Desktop®

Official Ledger® Management Platform

Your complete cryptocurrency portfolio management solution designed for desktop. Securely manage, track, and grow your digital assets with confidence.

Key Features.

Everything you need to manage your crypto portfolio

Portfolio Management

View all your crypto assets in one place. Track balances, monitor performance, and manage multiple accounts seamlessly.

Transaction History

Complete transaction records with detailed history. Export reports, track spending patterns, and maintain comprehensive audit trails.

App Management

Install and manage blockchain apps directly from your desktop. Access thousands of cryptocurrencies with ease.

Advanced Security

Bank-grade security with hardware wallet integration. Your private keys never leave your device, ensuring maximum protection.

Privacy First

No account required, no data collection. Your financial information stays completely private and under your control.

Fast & Reliable

Optimized desktop performance with real-time updates. Quick sync, fast transactions, and instant portfolio refresh.

Documentation.

Complete guide to using Ledger Live Desktop

What is Ledger Live Desktop?

Ledger Live Desktop is the official companion application for your Ledger hardware wallet, designed specifically for desktop environments. This powerful platform combines intuitive portfolio management with industry-leading security, providing you with a comprehensive solution for managing your cryptocurrency investments. Whether you're a beginner taking your first steps into digital assets or an experienced trader managing a diverse portfolio, Ledger Live Desktop offers the tools and features you need to succeed.

The desktop application provides a full-featured experience optimized for larger screens, allowing you to monitor markets, execute transactions, and manage your accounts with precision and ease. With support for thousands of cryptocurrencies and tokens, Ledger Live Desktop serves as your central hub for all blockchain-related activities, all while maintaining the highest security standards through hardware wallet integration.

Installation & Setup

Getting started with Ledger Live Desktop is straightforward and takes just a few minutes. First, visit the official Ledger website and download the appropriate version for your operating system—Windows, macOS, or Linux. The application is available as a standalone installer that doesn't require administrator privileges for installation. Once downloaded, run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup process.

After installation, launch Ledger Live Desktop and connect your Ledger hardware wallet using the provided USB cable. The application will automatically detect your device and guide you through the initial configuration. If this is your first time using a Ledger device, you'll be prompted to set up your hardware wallet, create a PIN code, and securely store your 24-word recovery phrase. For existing users, simply unlock your device and verify the connection within the app.

The setup wizard will then ask you to add accounts for the cryptocurrencies you want to manage. You can add multiple accounts for different blockchain networks, each securely derived from your hardware wallet's master seed. The synchronization process will begin automatically, importing your transaction history and current balances. This initial sync may take a few minutes depending on your account activity and internet connection speed.

Core Features & Capabilities

The portfolio management dashboard is the heart of Ledger Live Desktop, displaying your complete crypto holdings in a clean, organized interface. View your total portfolio value, individual asset balances, and performance metrics at a glance. The dashboard updates in real-time, reflecting current market prices and allowing you to track your investments' growth over time. You can customize the view to show your preferred fiat currency and organize assets by value, alphabetically, or custom groups.

Transaction management is seamlessly integrated throughout the application. Send and receive cryptocurrencies with just a few clicks, with all transactions requiring physical confirmation on your Ledger hardware wallet for maximum security. The transaction history section provides a comprehensive record of all your activities, including timestamps, amounts, fees, and confirmation status. Advanced users can view transaction details on blockchain explorers directly from the interface.

The Manager section allows you to install and remove blockchain applications on your Ledger device. Each cryptocurrency requires its specific app to be installed on the hardware wallet before you can manage it in Ledger Live Desktop. The Manager shows available storage on your device and provides one-click installation for supported cryptocurrencies. Regular firmware updates are also delivered through this interface, ensuring your device always has the latest security enhancements and feature improvements.

Security Best Practices

Security is paramount when managing cryptocurrency assets, and Ledger Live Desktop is built with multiple layers of protection. Always download the application exclusively from the official Ledger website to avoid counterfeit or malicious versions. Never share your 24-word recovery phrase with anyone, including Ledger support staff, and store it in a secure physical location separate from your hardware wallet. Your recovery phrase is the master key to your assets and should be treated with the utmost care.

When performing transactions, always verify the recipient address on your Ledger device's screen before confirming. This crucial step protects against malware that might modify addresses displayed on your computer screen. Enable additional security features like address verification and transaction amount confirmation on the device itself. Keep your Ledger Live Desktop application and device firmware updated to benefit from the latest security patches and improvements.

Be vigilant against phishing attempts and social engineering attacks. Ledger will never ask for your recovery phrase, PIN code, or private keys through email, social media, or phone calls. If you receive suspicious communications, report them to Ledger's security team immediately. Consider using the password manager feature within Ledger Live for additional account security, and enable two-factor authentication on any connected exchange services.

Advanced Features & Customization

Ledger Live Desktop offers extensive customization options to tailor the experience to your preferences. Configure network settings to use custom nodes for enhanced privacy, adjust transaction fee preferences for different blockchain networks, and set up custom account naming conventions for easier organization. The application supports multiple user profiles, making it ideal for families or small businesses managing separate crypto portfolios.

Power users can export transaction data for tax reporting and accounting purposes. The CSV export feature provides detailed records suitable for importing into accounting software or sharing with financial advisors. Ledger Live Desktop also supports experimental features that can be enabled in the settings, giving early access to new capabilities before they're rolled out to all users. Regular updates introduce new supported cryptocurrencies, performance improvements, and additional features based on community feedback.

Frequently Asked Questions.

Common questions about Ledger Live Desktop