Ledger Desktop — Ledger Live
Official desktop application to manage your Ledger hardware wallet and digital assets securely.
Overview — Ledger Desktop
Ledger Desktop (commonly known as Ledger Live) is the official desktop application designed to connect with Ledger hardware wallets and provide a single, secure control center for managing cryptocurrencies. Ledger Desktop is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux and is the trusted bridge between a user’s offline private keys and on-chain activity.
Purpose: use Ledger Desktop only to manage accounts, install apps to Ledger devices, review transactions, and interface with supported third-party services.
Key features — Ledger Desktop
Secure device pairing
Ledger Desktop establishes an encrypted, local connection to your Ledger hardware wallet so that private keys remain isolated on the device. All transaction approvals require confirmation on the hardware device itself.
Asset management
Ledger Desktop displays balances, transaction history, and supports adding accounts for thousands of supported coins and tokens through its integrated asset list and manager.
App Manager & firmware
The built-in Manager lets you install blockchain apps on your Ledger device and update firmware in a guided, auditable way to maintain security posture.
Integrated services
Ledger Desktop integrates vetted third-party partners for buy, swap, stake and NFT viewing, enabling common operations without exposing keys off-device.
Setup and installation — Ledger Desktop
Download Ledger Desktop only from ledger.com/ledger-live. Follow the install wizard for your operating system, connect your Ledger hardware wallet by USB (or Bluetooth for supported models), and complete the secure pairing sequence within Ledger Desktop. When setting up, create or restore your wallet exclusively on the hardware device; Ledger Desktop never asks for your recovery phrase.
Security best practices — Ledger Desktop
Ledger Desktop complements the hardware security of Ledger devices. Keep your operating system and Ledger Live installation up to date, verify download integrity where provided, and never disclose your 24-word recovery phrase. Transaction signing should always be confirmed directly on your Ledger device screen.
Ledger advises users to only install Ledger Desktop from the official site and to be vigilant against counterfeit desktop applications that impersonate Ledger Live. If any interface requests a seed phrase, treat it as a scam and disconnect immediately.
Troubleshooting & maintenance — Ledger Desktop
If Ledger Desktop does not detect your device: confirm USB/Bluetooth connectivity, try a different cable or port, ensure device firmware is current, and restart Ledger Desktop. Use the Manager to reinstall official apps if needed. For persistent issues, consult the Ledger Support knowledge base or official community channels.
Enterprise & developer considerations — Ledger Desktop
Ledger Desktop supports advanced workflows: multiple accounts, delegation/staking interfaces, and integration points for compliant third-party providers. Developers and enterprise maintainers should review Ledger’s documentation for integration patterns, API endpoints, and recommended security audits when building tooling around Ledger devices and Ledger Desktop.
Frequently asked questions — Ledger Desktop
Q: Where should I download Ledger Desktop?
A: Always use the official ledger.com/ledger-live download page.
Q: Will Ledger Desktop ever ask for my recovery phrase?
A: No. If prompted for a recovery phrase by any application claiming to be Ledger Live, it is malicious.
• Official Ledger Live overview and download — Ledger. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
• Installation and support guides — Ledger Support. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
• Supported assets and Manager features — Ledger. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
• Security advisory: counterfeit/fake Ledger Live apps targeting macOS — TechRadar reporting. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}