Ledger Live — Desktop

A secure, user-friendly desktop application to manage your hardware wallet and cryptocurrencies locally. Control your assets, track portfolio performance, and interact with decentralized apps — all from one trusted interface.

Overview

Ledger Live Desktop is the companion application for Ledger hardware wallets, designed for users who want strong security without sacrificing usability. It connects to your Ledger device to sign transactions offline while presenting clear portfolio insights, swap and stake options, and an intuitive management interface. The application runs locally on macOS, Windows and Linux and communicates with the hardware wallet via USB or Bluetooth depending on your device.

This desktop release focuses on privacy and deterministic security: private keys never leave the Ledger device. Every transaction is prepared in the software but only signed inside the secure chip on your device. That separation of duties gives you powerful protection against malware and phishing attacks while providing a modern user experience for everyday crypto tasks.

Portfolio & Reporting

Real-time portfolio valuation, historical charts, and exportable reports so you can track performance and taxes effortlessly.

Send & Receive

Send cryptocurrencies with strong address verification and QR scanning. Receive funds using a verifiable on-device address display.

Staking & Earning

Stake supported assets directly from the app to earn rewards while keeping keys offline.

App Catalog

Manage individual blockchain apps that run on your Ledger device and install or update them with one click.

Security Model

The core security principle is simple: keep secrets inside the hardware. Ledger Live acts as a display, transaction composer, and portfolio manager. When you initiate a transaction, the details are shown on your device’s secure screen for manual approval. This means even if your computer is compromised, an attacker cannot sign transactions without physical access to your Ledger device and knowledge of your PIN.

Additional layers include passphrase support (an optional 25th word that creates hidden wallets), device attestation to verify genuine hardware, and encrypted local storage for application data. We recommend keeping your system up to date, using an anti-malware solution, and never entering your recovery phrase into any app or website.

How it Works — Quick Start

1. Install & Connect

Download the desktop installer for your OS and connect your Ledger device via USB or Bluetooth. Open Ledger Live and follow the on-screen setup wizard.

2. Add Accounts

Add accounts for the coins and tokens you use. Ledger Live scans addresses deterministically so you can manage multiple accounts for the same blockchain.

3. Operate Securely

Prepare transactions in Ledger Live, then confirm them on-device. For incoming funds, verify the address on the hardware screen, not just on your computer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are my private keys stored in Ledger Live?

No — private keys stay inside the secure element of your Ledger device. Ledger Live only stores public data and metadata needed to manage accounts.

Can I use Ledger Live without a hardware wallet?

Ledger Live requires a Ledger device for signing transactions. You can explore the app in read-only mode for some features but signing and sending funds requires hardware.

How do I back up my wallet?

Back up your 24-word recovery phrase on the physical recovery sheet provided when you set up the Ledger device. Never store it digitally or share it with anyone.