Secure, beautiful, and powerful — Ledger Live Desktop®
Ledger Live Desktop® is the official Ledger Live application built for desktop users who demand a secure, reliable, and visually attractive way to manage their cryptocurrency assets. Ledger Live Desktop is a hub for self-custody: it connects to Ledger hardware wallets to ensure your private keys remain offline while providing a rich interface to monitor balances, send and receive funds, swap tokens, stake assets, and analyze portfolio performance. For users who value both security and convenience, Ledger Live Desktop is the go-to Secure Crypto Management App.
Why choose Ledger Live Desktop?
Security: Ledger Live Desktop works with Ledger hardware wallets so that your private keys never leave the device. Transaction signing takes place on the hardware wallet and not on the computer, providing cryptographic protection even if the desktop environment is compromised. Privacy: Ledger Live Desktop offers telemetry opt-outs and local-first storage for users who prefer minimal data sharing. Usability: a colorful, modern UI helps users understand their holdings at a glance. Compatibility: Ledger Live Desktop supports Bitcoin, Ethereum, dozens of EVM-compatible chains, and hundreds of tokens, making it a comprehensive Secure Crypto Management App.
Key features
Safety best practices for Ledger Live Desktop
Use Ledger Live Desktop together with a Ledger hardware wallet for the strongest security. Always verify the firmware and app signatures, keep your recovery phrase offline and private, and never enter your recovery phrase into any software or website. Use a secure, patched operating system and avoid downloading Ledger Live from unofficial sources. Ledger Live Desktop provides in-app warnings and verification steps where appropriate, but users must follow established safety practices: protect your recovery phrase, enable automatic firmware checks, and confirm transaction details on the hardware device screen before approving any operation.
How Ledger Live Desktop protects your assets
The security model of Ledger Live Desktop separates the user interface from the secure element that holds your private keys. The hardware wallet runs a secure operating system that stores keys and performs cryptographic signing. Ledger Live Desktop communicates with the device through USB, Bluetooth (for supported device models), or other supported transports, but never receives the raw private keys. Transaction details are displayed on the device screen for user verification before final signing. Ledger Live Desktop also checks for firmware authenticity and notifies users of recommended updates so that devices remain protected against known vulnerabilities.
Getting started: quick setup
1) Download Ledger Live Desktop from the official source. 2) Install the app for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux). 3) If you already own a Ledger hardware wallet, connect it and enter your device PIN. 4) Add accounts by choosing the coins you want to manage. 5) Use the portfolio and activity views to monitor balances and recent transactions. 6) For incoming transfers, always share only your public receive address displayed in Ledger Live Desktop and verify it on the device. 7) For outgoing transfers, review fees and confirm the details on your Ledger device before signing.
Advanced usage and integrations
Ledger Live Desktop supports integrations with various partner services and developer tools. Power users can connect to decentralized applications (dApps) through supported bridges, use Ledger Live to manage multiple accounts across chains, and integrate with third-party portfolio trackers. Developers can use Ledger's APIs and documentation to build integrations that interact with accounts in read-only mode or request signing operations from users who confirm actions on-device. Always verify third-party integrations and use caution when granting permissions — Ledger Live Desktop helps by isolating signing to the hardware wallet and showing transaction details that the user must approve.
Compliance & privacy
Ledger Live Desktop provides options for telemetry and privacy. The application defaults to privacy-preserving settings and offers clear controls for users who wish to opt out of non-essential data collection. Ledger publishes documentation describing data handling practices and offers users the ability to manage their preferences within the app. For regulatory compliance, Ledger Live Desktop includes features that make it easier to extract transaction histories and generate reports for tax purposes while preserving user privacy and control over sensitive information.
SEO and discoverability — designed to be indexed
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Real user scenarios
Scenario 1: Long‑term Bitcoin custody. Users who buy Bitcoin and intend to hold long-term can use Ledger Live Desktop to monitor their holdings while keeping private keys on a Ledger device offline. Scenario 2: Active DeFi participant. Traders and DeFi users can manage multiple tokens across chains, sign transactions on their device, and use in-app swap integrations to move assets quickly. Scenario 3: Tax and accounting. Small businesses and freelancers who accept crypto payments can export transactions from Ledger Live Desktop to reconcile income and expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Is Ledger Live Desktop free to use?
A: Yes. Ledger Live Desktop is free to download and use. Transaction costs such as network fees and third‑party swap fees still apply.
Q: Do I need a Ledger hardware wallet?
A: Ledger Live Desktop can be installed and used to view public data, but for secure signing and self‑custody you should pair it with a Ledger hardware wallet. The hardware device secures private keys and is required to sign transactions securely.
Q: Can I recover my accounts if I lose my device?
A: Yes. Use your recovery phrase (the 24‑word seed) to recover accounts onto a new Ledger device or compatible recovery tool. Keep your recovery phrase offline and private — Ledger Live Desktop will never ask for it directly.
Q: How do swaps work in Ledger Live Desktop?
A: Ledger Live Desktop aggregates quotes from integrated partners so you can compare rates. Swaps occur through partner providers and you must verify swap details on your Ledger device before approving the transaction.
Q: Where can I download Ledger Live Desktop?
A: Always download Ledger Live Desktop from the official source. Avoid third‑party mirrors. Within the app you can check for updates and verify checksums for installer packages.
Developer & enterprise use
Enterprises and power users can integrate Ledger Live Desktop into secure workflows using available APIs and enterprise features. Ledger offers business solutions for institutional custody, audit logging, and device management that complement Ledger Live Desktop. For developers, documentation and SDKs allow integration with Ledger's signing flows, enabling safe and auditable transaction requests that are ultimately confirmed on-device by the authorized user.