Download the definitive **Wallet App** to manage, track, and transact with absolute confidence, fortified by your Ledger hardware device.
The **Ledger Live Desktop** application is the essential interface for all **Ledger hardware wallet** owners. It allows you to check your **Secure Crypto Portfolio**, install applications, receive funds, and initiate transfers, all while ensuring your **private keys** never leave the Secure Element chip of your device (Nano X or Nano S). This is the safest, most comprehensive way to **manage crypto safely**.
Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
**Ledger Live** transforms your hardware wallet from a simple key storage device into a fully functional **Wallet App**. It provides real-time tracking, seamless transaction signing, and access to key DeFi services, all within a familiar and intuitive interface. This platform is built specifically to help you **manage crypto safely** while maximizing your investment potential.
Gain a complete, holistic view of your **Secure Crypto Portfolio** instantly. **Ledger Live Desktop** aggregates your holdings across different assets (Bitcoin, Ethereum, 5000+ tokens) and displays their current value, distribution, and performance history. This feature ensures you are always informed without needing to expose your **private keys** to third-party tracking services. The app offers advanced tools like **Profit & Loss (P&L) analysis**, historical charting with customizable time frames, and precise diversification metrics. You can also set custom alerts to notify you of significant price movements in your chosen assets, ensuring you never miss an opportunity to **manage crypto safely** and efficiently. This level of detail elevates **Ledger Live Desktop** above basic wallet interfaces.
You can securely **buy crypto**, swap tokens, and sell assets directly within the **Ledger Live Wallet App** through our verified, non-custodial partners. The crucial security advantage here is the "What You See Is What You Sign" principle. All transaction details, including the swap amount and final recipient address, are cryptographically verified and automatically routed to your hardware device for physical confirmation. This guarantees that your **Secure Crypto Portfolio** remains isolated from online threats like man-in-the-middle attacks, making **buying crypto** both frictionless and profoundly secure. We ensure complete transparency regarding partner fees before you confirm on your Ledger device.
Generate passive income by staking proof-of-stake assets (like ETH, SOL, ADA) directly from your **Secure Crypto Portfolio**. **Ledger Live Desktop** enables you to delegate your assets while retaining full control over your **private keys**. Unlike lending, where you give up custody, staking through **Ledger Live** means your funds are never locked or held by a third party. The **Wallet App** acts as a secure delegation interface, connecting you to verified validators. This capability highlights how Ledger allows you to maximize returns while maintaining superior security, providing clear information on supported coins, delegation mechanics, and typical withdrawal/unbonding periods.
**Ledger Live Desktop** now supports viewing and managing your Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), primarily based on the ERC-721 and ERC-1155 standards. Browse your digital art collections, verify wallet addresses, and securely sign transactions for leading NFT marketplaces, extending the protection of your **Ledger Nano X** or **Ledger Nano S** to your digital assets. This integration allows you to participate in the expansive Web3 ecosystem without exposing your **private keys**. The visual clarity within the **Wallet App** helps guard against common phishing scams that try to trick users into signing malicious transactions.
The unique security model behind **Ledger Live Desktop** is founded on one non-negotiable principle: trust isolation. The desktop application is the window, but the **Ledger hardware wallet** is the vault. Your **private keys** are protected by a state-of-the-art Secure Element (CC EAL5+ certified) that is designed to withstand sophisticated physical and digital attacks. The **Wallet App** simply prepares and displays the transactions for your review, never holding the keys itself.
Every Ledger device is equipped with a dedicated chip, the Secure Element (CC EAL5+ certified), which is the cornerstone of your **Secure Crypto Portfolio**. This chip ensures that your **private keys** are generated and stored offline, completely isolated from your internet-connected computer. When you use **Ledger Live Desktop**, you are not logging into a centralized exchange; you are merely accessing a secure conduit. The Secure Element handles all cryptographic operations, meaning the keys never leave the chip, regardless of how compromised your computer might be.
When you attempt to move funds via the **Wallet App**, the transaction details are cryptographically hashed and sent to your hardware device. The device's small screen displays the *exact* recipient address and amount. This is known as **Clear Signing**. By physically verifying these critical details on the device itself—not on your computer screen—you eliminate the risk of malware tampering with the transaction details (known as a "swap attack") after you initiate the action in **Ledger Live Desktop**. If the details don't match, you simply reject the transaction on your Ledger device.
**Ledger Live Desktop** is the **official Ledger software** used to manage critical firmware updates for your device. These updates are essential for maintaining security against newly discovered vulnerabilities. Ledger Live ensures the firmware is cryptographically verified before installation, protecting your **Secure Crypto Portfolio** from malicious upgrades. Furthermore, the device is protected by a mandatory 4-to-8 digit PIN. This PIN acts as a crucial barrier against physical theft; three incorrect PIN entries will automatically wipe the device, rendering the hardware useless and keeping your **private keys** safe, retrievable only with your 24-word **Recovery Phrase**.
To further help you **manage crypto safely**, **Ledger Live Desktop** includes the **Recovery Check** tool. This tool allows you to verify the integrity of your 24-word **Recovery Phrase** by securely entering a practice phrase on the device itself, guided by the **Wallet App**. This verification process happens offline and never exposes your actual phrase to the internet. This cold-storage model fundamentally contrasts with "hot wallets" (software wallets or exchange accounts), where the **private keys** are permanently stored on an internet-connected device or a centralized server, making them exponentially more vulnerable to remote hacking and phishing attacks.
Installing the **official Ledger software** and setting up your device correctly is the most critical step in securing your **Secure Crypto Portfolio**. This detailed guide walks you through the entire process, ensuring every step is performed safely and securely using **Ledger Live Desktop**.
Begin by downloading the **Ledger Live Desktop** application directly from the official link provided on this page. Never download the **Wallet App** from a third-party source or app store, as these can contain malware. Once downloaded, the application automatically verifies the integrity of the software upon launch. Install it and ensure you have administrative rights on your computer, as this is the conduit for your **Secure Crypto Portfolio**.
Plug in your brand new **Ledger Nano X** or **Ledger Nano S**. **Ledger Live Desktop** will prompt you to set up the device. Follow the instructions on the Ledger device's physical screen to set a unique 4-to-8 digit PIN. This PIN protects against physical theft. The device will then generate your 24-word **Recovery Phrase**. **Write this phrase down carefully, in order, on the provided recovery sheets** and store it in a secure, fireproof location. This phrase is your master key; Ledger Live will never ask for it.
After writing down the phrase, your Ledger device will ask you to confirm several words from your phrase. This crucial step verifies that you have accurately recorded your **private keys** backup. Do this by navigating and selecting words using the physical buttons on your Ledger device. This process is mandatory for ensuring you can recover your **Secure Crypto Portfolio** if your hardware device is lost or damaged. The **Wallet App** simply facilitates this on-device verification.
Once initialized, **Ledger Live Desktop** performs a mandatory Genuine Check. This cryptographic verification ensures that your device is an authentic Ledger product and has not been tampered with. Only after this check is complete can you access the Manager section of the **Wallet App**. Use the Manager to install the specific blockchain applications (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana) you wish to manage. These apps are necessary to connect your **Secure Crypto Portfolio** to the respective networks.
The final step is to add accounts within the **Ledger Live Desktop** interface. Navigate to the 'Accounts' tab, select 'Add account,' and choose the coin you wish to manage (e.g., Bitcoin). The **Wallet App** will then communicate with your Ledger device to generate a public receiving address. You must confirm the address on your Ledger screen. Once added, your **Secure Crypto Portfolio** is linked, and you can begin to **manage crypto safely**, receiving funds and tracking your balances in real-time.
For troubleshooting common issues such as USB connection drops, driver errors, or firmware conflicts, always refer to Ledger's official support documentation. Utilizing the latest version of the **Ledger Live Desktop Wallet App** is paramount for a seamless and secure experience.