Ledger Live Desktop — The Leading Platform for Secure Crypto Management

Ledger Live Desktop is the official desktop application that brings portfolio tracking, sending/receiving, staking, swaps and device management together while keeping private keys offline on your Ledger hardware wallet.

What is Ledger Live Desktop?

Ledger Live Desktop is the desktop companion app for Ledger hardware wallets (Ledger Nano S, Nano X and others). It provides a local, secure interface for viewing balances, authorizing transactions via your device, installing coin apps on the device, and accessing DeFi, NFTs and staking features — all without exposing your private keys to the internet. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

Core features

  • Secure device signing
    Transactions are signed on your Ledger device — private keys never leave the device.
  • Portfolio & analytics
    Track multiple accounts, assets and historical performance in one view.
  • Buy / Sell / Swap
    Integrated partners let you buy, swap and sell crypto from the app.
  • Staking & earning
    Lock or delegate supported assets to earn yields directly in Ledger Live.
  • NFT management
    View and transfer NFTs from supported chains within the desktop app.
  • App Manager
    Install blockchain-specific apps onto your Ledger device via the Manager tab.

Ledger Live Desktop is continuously updated with new features and improvements — recent updates have focused on improved sync, extended NFT support and enhanced portfolio visuals. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Download Ledger Live Desktop

Getting started with Ledger Live Desktop — step by step

Follow these concise steps to install and pair Ledger Live Desktop with your Ledger hardware device.

  1. Download from the official site: Always download Ledger Live from ledger.com (do not install unverified builds). :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
  2. Install the app: Run the installer for your OS (Windows .exe, macOS .dmg, or Linux .AppImage). Follow on-screen prompts. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
  3. Open Ledger Live & choose “Get started”: Create a new device setup flow or reconnect your existing device. Ledger Live stores local account data while your private keys remain on the device. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
  4. Install required coin apps: Use the Manager to install blockchain-specific apps to manage assets (e.g., Ethereum, Bitcoin, Solana apps).
  5. Sync & verify: After adding accounts, verify small transactions to ensure your device and app are working together correctly.

If you need step-by-step screenshots or OS-specific instructions, Ledger’s support center provides detailed installation guides and troubleshooting. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

Security best practices

Ledger Live is designed to keep private keys offline, but user vigilance is critical. Only download Ledger Live from the official site, never share your recovery phrase, and verify app signatures where possible. Recent reports have highlighted fake Ledger apps targeting Mac users — these impersonation attacks ask for seed phrases via fake error screens; always be suspicious of any UI asking for your 24-word phrase. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}

Top security checklist

Common questions (FAQ)

Can I use Ledger Live Desktop without a Ledger device?

Ledger Live is primarily intended to be used with a Ledger hardware wallet. Some features, like portfolio tracking, can work in a read-only way when connecting watch-only addresses, but signing transactions requires the hardware device. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}

Does Ledger Live support NFTs and DeFi?

Yes — Ledger Live increasingly supports NFT viewing and specific Web3 integrations for DeFi actions via partner integrations. Feature availability can vary by chain and release. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}

Where can I get help if something goes wrong?

Ledger’s official support documentation includes troubleshooting articles and installation guides. For complex issues, consult the Ledger Support Center or official community channels. Avoid third-party “help” that requests your recovery phrase. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}