Welcome to Ledger® Live Desktop — your secure and elegant control center for managing cryptocurrencies and digital collectibles. This guide walks you through installation, initial setup, essential features, security best practices, and helpful tips so you can manage your assets confidently.
Ledger Live Desktop is designed to pair with Ledger hardware so your private keys remain isolated from your computer. Below are best practices to keep your holdings safe and recoverable.
Your recovery phrase (24 words) is the master key to your entire wallet. Never share it, type it into websites, or take pictures. Store it offline in a secure place — consider a fireproof safe or a metal backup solution.
Regularly update your Ledger device firmware and Ledger Live app to receive security patches and new features. Ledger Live will notify you when updates are available.
Phishing sites and fake apps try to mimic official Ledger branding. Always check the URL and use bookmarks for the official site. Ledger support will never ask for your recovery phrase.
Set a strong PIN on your device. Advanced users can enable a passphrase (25th word) for hidden wallets — this gives powerful privacy but increases risk of loss if you forget the passphrase.
Use Ledger Live’s buy partners to purchase crypto via card or bank transfer. Availability depends on region and partner providers.
Swap within Ledger Live for a simple trade experience. Compare rates and confirm trades on your device.
Earn rewards by staking supported coins. Ledger Live shows available validators and expected APYs; staking flows require on‑device confirmations.
A: Yes — Ledger Live is free to download and use. Network fees apply for on‑chain transactions, and third‑party services (buy/swap) may charge fees.
A: For full security and signing, you need a Ledger hardware wallet. Some read‑only features (portfolio view via watch‑only addresses) may be possible, but you cannot sign transactions without the device.
A: If you have your recovery phrase, you can recover your funds on another Ledger device or compatible wallet. If you lose both the device and recovery phrase, funds are unrecoverable.
A: Ledger Live supports viewing many NFTs and interacting with NFT marketplaces via connected Web3 apps. Rendering and metadata support may vary by chain.
Ledger Live Desktop focuses on accessibility and clarity. High‑contrast modes, scalable type, and clear confirmation steps reduce the chance of accidental actions. If you rely on assistive tech, consult Ledger support for the latest accessibility guidance and feature availability.