Ledger Live Desktop®: Secure Crypto Management Platform 🛡️

Your all-in-one gateway for managing, growing, and securing your digital assets.

Experience	Expertise	Authoritativeness	Trustworthiness
Built on years of user feedback for seamless digital asset management.	Developed by the leaders in hardware security for crypto self-custody.	The official and recommended application for all Ledger devices.	Transparent security architecture and robust auditing.

1. What is Ledger Live? (The Core Gateway)

Ledger Live is the essential desktop and mobile application that acts as the secure interface for your physical Ledger hardware wallet (Nano S Plus, Nano X, etc.). It's not just a portfolio tracker; it's the **dashboard where your hardware wallet’s security meets the world of crypto**.

Crucially, Ledger Live never holds your private keys.

Your keys—the proof of ownership for your crypto—always remain locked inside the secure chip of your Ledger device. Ledger Live simply provides the user-friendly environment to initiate transactions, check balances, and manage applications, relying on your Ledger device to cryptographically sign every action safely offline.

2. Getting Started: Installation and Initial Setup

Step 2.1: Download and Installation

**Download Only from the Official Source:** Navigate directly to the official Ledger website to download the Ledger Live application. Never download Ledger Live from third-party sites or search result ads, as these are common phishing attempts.
**Install and Launch:** Follow the on-screen prompts to install the application on your computer or mobile device.

Step 2.2: Device Setup and Authentication

**Select Your Device:** Within Ledger Live, choose your specific Ledger model and select **"Set up a new device."**
**Initialization:** The app will guide you through initializing your Ledger device:
- **PIN Creation:** You will set up your PIN code **only on the device screen**. This code prevents unauthorized physical access.
- **24-Word Recovery Phrase:** This is the most critical step. The app will prompt the device to generate your unique 24-word recovery phrase (sometimes called the seed). **Write these words down physically and offline.**
**Verification:** Ledger Live includes a guided process to verify your Recovery Phrase. This ensures you’ve recorded it accurately, a vital step for future recovery.

⚠️ Security Warning: Your 24-word recovery phrase is your master key. If it is lost or compromised, your assets are permanently at risk. Ledger Support will **never** ask for this phrase. Keep it private, offline, and secure.

3. Core Features: Manage, Buy, Swap, & Earn

Ledger Live transforms your secure hardware wallet into a complete financial tool.

Manage Your Portfolio

**Install Apps:** Use the **Manager** section to install and update the necessary cryptocurrency applications (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, etc.) directly onto your Ledger device.
**Add Accounts:** Create accounts for each cryptocurrency you hold. Ledger Live supports over 5,500 coins and tokens.
**Monitor:** View your complete crypto portfolio, track real-time value changes, and review transaction history securely.

Buy, Sell, and Swap

Ledger Live integrates secure third-party services, allowing you to **buy, sell, and swap** crypto directly within the application. These services facilitate the transaction, but all funds are sent immediately to the secure addresses generated by your Ledger device. Your funds are never held by the exchange service or Ledger Live itself.

Stake and Earn Rewards

**Staking:** For supported assets like Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), and Polkadot (DOT), you can delegate your coins to a validator directly through Ledger Live to earn rewards. **Your coins remain locked and secured by your Ledger wallet throughout the staking process.**
**Lending:** Access DeFi services securely (where available and supported) to put your crypto to work.

4. Advanced Security & Best Practices

Ledger Live incorporates features that reinforce the security provided by the physical device.

Genuine Check

Every time you connect your device, Ledger Live performs a **Genuine Check**. This cryptographic verification confirms that your Ledger is an authentic device containing Ledger’s certified hardware and firmware, safeguarding you against counterfeit devices.

Trusted Display

The core security feature of a hardware wallet is the **Trusted Display**. When you initiate a transaction in Ledger Live, the critical details (the recipient's address and the amount) are shown **on the small screen of your Ledger device itself**. This display is tamper-proof. **You must always physically verify and approve these details on the device** before clicking "Confirm" in Ledger Live. This prevents malware on your computer from secretly changing the recipient's address without your knowledge.

5. Troubleshooting & Support

If you encounter issues connecting, try the following checks:

Ensure the **Ledger device is fully unlocked** with your PIN.
Use the **original USB cable** and try a different port.
Check that no other applications (like MetaMask or other wallet software) are **competing for the USB connection**.