What Ledger Live Desktop® offers

Ledger Live Desktop® consolidates key crypto management tasks into one application made for desktop use. It supports account management across many blockchains, facilitates secure transaction signing through a Ledger hardware device, and provides portfolio tracking with historical performance. By design, all cryptographic signing is delegated to your hardware wallet so that your private keys never leave the secure element.

Core capabilities

  • Account & portfolio management: Add multiple accounts, monitor balances, and view portfolio trends with clear charts and filters.
  • Secure transaction signing: Construct transactions in the app and confirm them physically on your Ledger device for tamper-resistant approvals.
  • App catalog & firmware updates: Install coin-specific apps on your device and keep firmware up to date through guided flows.
  • Buy, swap, and earn: Access integrated partners to purchase crypto, swap between assets, or stake supported tokens while retaining custody.

Security-first architecture

The strength of Ledger Live Desktop® comes from a split responsibility model: the desktop app manages UX, network communication, and data presentation; the hardware device manages secret material and signing. Even if a desktop is compromised, attackers cannot extract private keys because signing is only possible inside the Ledger secure element. Ledger Live also encourages users to verify transaction details directly on-device before approval, which mitigates address-replacement and clipboard hijack attacks.

Getting started — a quick walkthrough

  1. Download Ledger Live Desktop® from the official Ledger website and install it on your machine.
  2. Connect and initialize your Ledger hardware wallet (or restore using a recovery phrase) following the device prompts.
  3. Open Ledger Live Desktop®, add accounts for the cryptocurrencies you use, and install any required device apps from the App Catalog.
  4. Perform a small test transaction to confirm the flow: create the transaction in the app, verify the details on-device, and approve.

Usability & privacy considerations

Ledger Live Desktop® aims to be approachable for first-time users while providing the controls experienced users need. The application collects minimal telemetry to improve the product; it does not have access to your private keys. For stronger privacy, consider using a separate, dedicated desktop environment for crypto operations and avoid connecting to untrusted networks while transacting.

Best practices

  • Always download Ledger Live Desktop® from Ledger’s official site and verify checksums if available.
  • Keep both Ledger Live and your device firmware up to date to benefit from security fixes and enhancements.
  • Never enter your recovery phrase on a computer or online form. Store it offline in a secure and durable format.
  • Confirm every transaction on the device screen — that confirmation is the canonical source of truth.

When to use the desktop app

Choose Ledger Live Desktop® when you want a full-featured management environment with advanced account views, detailed signing UX, and the convenience of desktop performance. It is especially useful for users who manage many accounts, use staking, or interact with more complex transaction types that benefit from the clarity a desktop screen provides.