Ledger® Live: Desktop®

What is Ledger Live?

Ledger Live is the all-in-one companion application for your Ledger hardware wallet (like the Nano S, Nano X, or Nano S Plus). It's not just a portfolio tracker; it's a powerful and secure interface that unlocks the full potential of your device.

With Ledger Live, you can:

• Securely manage 25+ coins and over 1500 tokens directly from your desktop.
• Install and uninstall apps on your Ledger device to manage different cryptocurrencies.
• Send and receive crypto assets with confidence, knowing your private keys never leave your hardware wallet.
• Check your portfolio value in real-time with automatically updated price feeds.
• Stake your assets (like Tezos, Tron, or Polkadot) to earn rewards securely.
• Access decentralized applications (dApps) like decentralized exchanges (DEXs) and lending protocols through the "Discover" section.

Think of your Ledger device as an impenetrable vault for your keys, and Ledger Live as the secure, verified dashboard you use to interact with that vault.

Before You Begin

Your Setup Checklist

To ensure a smooth setup process, please have the following items ready. This is crucial for both security and functionality. Do not proceed until you have all of these.

• Your Ledger Hardware Wallet: This guide assumes you have already initialized your device. This means you have powered it on, set a PIN code, and, most importantly, you have generated and safely backed up your 24-word recovery phrase.
• Your 24-Word Recovery Phrase: Have your physical backup (the paper sheet provided by Ledger) nearby, but NEVER type it into your computer or any website. You will not need to enter it into Ledger Live, but you should always know where your one and only backup is.
• Your Device PIN Code: You will need this to unlock your device during the setup process.
• The Official USB Cable: Using the cable that came with your device is highly recommended to avoid connection issues.
• A Desktop Computer: This guide is for the desktop application, compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Step 1: Download & Install

Security First: The Official Source

CRITICAL WARNING: Your first step is the most important for security. You MUST download the Ledger Live software ONLY from the official Ledger website: ledger.com/ledger-live

• NEVER download Ledger Live from a link in an email, a Google search ad, or any other website.
• NEVER download it from an app store on your desktop (it's not distributed this way).
• Scammers create fake websites that look identical to the real one to steal your assets. Always double-check the URL in your browser. Bookmark the official site.

Once you are on the official website, download the correct version for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux). After the download is complete, open the file and follow the on-screen installation instructions. This is a standard software installation process.

Step 2: Initial Setup Flow

Once Ledger Live is installed, launch the application. You will be greeted by a welcome screen. Click "Get Started."

The application will first ask you to identify your device (e.g., Ledger Nano X, Ledger Nano S Plus). Select the device you own.

Next, it will present you with three options. Since this guide assumes your device is already initialized, you will select the option that says "Connect your Nano" or "Use an initialized device."

• If you selected "Set up as new device," the app would guide you through the device initialization process (PIN setup and recovery phrase generation).
• If you selected "Restore from recovery phrase," it would guide you on how to do this on the device itself.

By choosing "Connect your Nano," you are telling the app you are ready to link your already-setup hardware wallet.

Step 3: The Genuine Check

This is a critical security feature. Ledger Live will now verify that your hardware wallet is a genuine Ledger product and has not been tampered with.

1. Connect Your Device: Plug your Ledger device into your computer using the official USB cable.
2. Unlock Your Device: Enter your PIN code on the device itself.
3. Allow Ledger Manager: Your device screen will display "Allow Ledger Manager." Press both buttons on your device simultaneously to confirm.

Ledger Live will then communicate with your device and Ledger's secure servers to perform the authenticity check. This process is automatic and usually takes just a few seconds. Once it passes, you'll see a confirmation message. This check uses cryptography to prove your device holds a secret key that was only provisioned by Ledger during manufacturing.

If this check fails, STOP immediately and contact Ledger support. Do not use the device.

Step 4: Set a Password (Optional)

After the genuine check, Ledger Live will prompt you to set an optional password. It's important to understand what this password does and doesn't do.

• WHAT IT DOES: This password locks the Ledger Live application on your computer. If you step away, anyone using your computer cannot open Ledger Live to see your portfolio balance, transaction history, or public addresses. It adds a layer of privacy.
• WHAT IT DOESN'T DO: This password DOES NOT protect your crypto. Your crypto is secured by your 24-word recovery phrase, which is stored on your hardware wallet. Someone with just this password CANNOT steal your funds.

We highly recommend setting a strong, unique password for privacy. If you forget this password, you can simply reset the Ledger Live application and re-add your accounts, because all your keys remain safe on your device. You won't lose any assets.

Step 5: The Dashboard

Welcome to your command center! After the setup, you'll land on the main dashboard. Let's take a quick tour of the main sections you'll see in the left-hand sidebar:

• Portfolio: This is the default view. It shows a graph of your total portfolio value over time and a breakdown of all your crypto assets.
• Accounts: This tab lists all the individual crypto accounts you've added to Ledger Live (e.g., "My Bitcoin 1," "My Ethereum 1").
• Send: This is where you initiate a transaction to send crypto to another address.
• Receive: This is where you generate a public address to receive crypto from someone else (or an exchange).
• Manager: This is one of the most important tabs. Here, you connect your device to install and uninstall apps for different coins.
• Discover: This section is your gateway to the world of dApps, allowing you to use services like ParaSwap or Lido for staking, all secured by your Ledger.

Step 6: Installing Apps

Your Ledger device doesn't come with all coin applications pre-installed due to storage limitations. You must install the "app" for each cryptocurrency you want to manage.

1. Navigate to the "Manager" tab in Ledger Live.
2. Connect and unlock your Ledger device (with your PIN) and "Allow Ledger Manager" on the device screen.
3. The Manager will show your device's storage capacity and a list of all available apps in the "App catalog."
4. Find the app you want (e.g., "Bitcoin" or "Ethereum") and click the "Install" button.
5. Ledger Live will download and install the app onto your device. You will see the app icon appear on your device's screen.

You can safely uninstall apps to make space for others. Uninstalling an app DOES NOT make you lose your coins. Your coins are on the blockchain, tied to your 24-word phrase. When you reinstall the app later, your accounts and balance will reappear.

Step 7: Adding Accounts

After installing a coin's app (like Ethereum), you must "add an account" in Ledger Live to see your balance and transact.

1. Go to the "Accounts" tab and click the "Add account" button.
2. A modal will pop up. Choose the crypto asset for which you just installed the app (e.g., "Ethereum").
3. Connect and unlock your device. Open the corresponding app (e.g., the Ethereum app) on the device screen.
4. Ledger Live will "synchronize" with the blockchain, searching for any existing accounts tied to your private key.
5. It will then display the account(s) it finds. You can name your account (e.g., "ETH Savings") and click "Add account."

This account will now appear in your Portfolio and Accounts tabs. You must repeat this process for every different cryptocurrency you wish to manage.

Step 8: Receiving Crypto

This is how you get your crypto from an exchange (like Coinbase or Binance) onto your secure Ledger wallet.

1. Click the "Receive" tab in Ledger Live.
2. Select the account you want to receive funds into (e.g., "My Bitcoin 1").
3. Connect and unlock your device. Open the corresponding app (e.g., Bitcoin) on the device.
4. Ledger Live will display a public address.
5. CRITICAL SECURITY STEP: Your device's screen will ALSO display the SAME address. You MUST physically compare the address on your computer screen to the address on your device's screen. If they match, press both buttons on the device to approve.

This "Trust Your Screen" step ensures that a virus on your computer hasn't swapped the address (a common scam). If they match, you can safely copy the address from Ledger Live and paste it into the "withdrawal" field on your exchange. Send a small test amount first!

Step 9: Sending Crypto

This is how you send funds from your Ledger to another address (e.g., to an exchange or another wallet).

1. Click the "Send" tab in Ledger Live.
2. Select the account you want to send from.
3. Paste the recipient's address. Always double-check this address is correct.
4. Enter the amount you wish to send.
5. Choose the network fee. A higher fee means a faster transaction. Ledger Live will provide estimates.
6. Click "Continue." Now, look at your device.
7. CRITICAL SECURITY STEP: Your device's screen will show you all the transaction details: the Amount, the Recipient Address, and the Fee. You must scroll through and verify EVERY detail on the device's trusted screen.
8. If everything is correct, scroll to the "Approve" screen and press both buttons to sign and broadcast the transaction.

Security Best Practices

Your Security is Your Responsibility

Using a Ledger is a huge step up in security, but you must follow these rules:

• RULE #1: NEVER share your 24-word recovery phrase. Anyone who has it can steal all your assets. No Ledger employee, support agent, or dApp will ever ask for it. EVER.
• RULE #2: NEVER type your 24 words into ANY computer or phone. It only ever gets entered on the Ledger device itself during a restoration.
• RULE #3: ALWAYS trust your device screen. The small, secure screen on your Ledger is your source of truth. Always verify addresses and transaction details on it before approving.
• Keep your recovery phrase physically secure. Store it in a safe, fireproof, waterproof location. Don't take a picture of it.
• Keep your Ledger Live software updated. Updates provide new features and important security patches.
• Keep your device firmware updated. You will be prompted in the "Manager" tab when a firmware update is available.

Troubleshooting & Support

Sometimes, things don't go perfectly. Here are a few common issues and how to solve them:

• Connection Issues: If Ledger Live can't find your device, try a different USB port, use the official USB cable, and make sure no other applications (like other wallets) are trying to connect to it. On Windows, you may need to run the "Repair" tool in Ledger Live's settings.
• Synchronization Errors: If your balance is wrong or transactions aren't showing up, you can clear the cache in Ledger Live. Go to Settings > Help > Clear Cache. This will force the app to resynchronize with the blockchain. You won't lose anything.
• "Allow Ledger Manager" not appearing: Make sure you are on the device's main dashboard (where you see app icons), not inside one of the apps.

If you are still stuck, the ONLY official place for help is the Ledger Support website: support.ledger.com. NEVER ask for help on social media, and NEVER trust anyone who DMs you offering to "help" or "validate your wallet." They are scammers trying to get your 24 words.

You're All Set!

Congratulations! You have successfully set up Ledger Live and linked it with your hardware wallet. You have taken control of your private keys and achieved true self-custody of your digital assets. This is the core principle of cryptocurrency.

You are now your own bank.

Remember the security rules, always be skeptical, and enjoy the freedom and power that comes with managing your own crypto. Explore the "Discover" tab to see what's possible with DeFi, stake your assets to earn rewards, and watch your portfolio grow, all from the secure interface of Ledger Live.

Welcome to Web3.