Your crypto,
with a little more clarity.

Ledger Live Desktop is a companion application for managing supported accounts with a compatible Ledger hardware device. It gives you a single place to review balances, add accounts, see transaction history, and prepare supported transfers. Availability varies by asset, region, and application version, so check the current feature list before relying on a particular service.

The distinction between the desktop app and the hardware device is important. The app provides the interface; your hardware device is where private keys are held and transactions are reviewed and approved. A screen on your computer can help you understand what you are about to do, but it is not a substitute for checking the details on the device itself.

Set aside a few quiet minutes and start with the basics. Use a computer you control, install operating-system updates, and make sure your hardware device is charged or connected with a reliable cable. Keep the recovery phrase that came with your device private and physically secure. It should not be typed into Ledger Live, saved in a cloud document, photographed, or shared with anyone.

Download the desktop app by navigating to Ledger’s official website yourself and following its current download instructions. Confirm the address carefully, avoid sponsored lookalike results and unsolicited download links, and follow any authenticity checks the official instructions provide. Never install a file sent through a message or a pop-up claiming your device needs an urgent update.

Open the app you installed and follow its on-screen introduction. Choose the option that matches your situation—setting up a new device or connecting one you already use. The screens may change between releases, but the safe principles stay consistent:

1. 1
   Connect and check your device.

   Use a trusted cable and unlock the device with its PIN directly on the device.

2. 2
   Complete device checks in the app.

   Read each prompt and compare it with what appears on the device display.

3. 3
   Add only the accounts you need.

   Select an asset and let the app synchronize its account information. This does not move funds.

4. 4
   Review before any transaction.

   For a transfer, verify the asset, network, destination, and amount on your hardware device.

For a first deposit, consider sending a small test amount when practical. Network fees and confirmation times differ, and transfers on different networks may not be interchangeable. Check the receiving account and selected network with care before confirming.

On an ordinary day, open the app, connect your device when prompted, and give account information time to synchronize. Use the portfolio view for a broad overview and open an individual account when you need its activity details. A balance is a snapshot based on available price information; it is not a promise of future value.

Keep the routine deliberately unhurried. Before sending, receiving, or interacting with a connected service, pause to check the asset and network. Read the full destination address rather than trusting a familiar first or last few characters. Review fees and the final transaction summary on your hardware device, then approve only if every detail matches what you intended.

When you finish, disconnect the device and store it securely. If you share your computer, use a separate operating-system profile and keep the app current through its official update path. A tidy routine reduces hurried mistakes.

Your recovery phrase is the most sensitive part of your setup. Anyone who obtains it may be able to control assets associated with it. Keep it offline, do not enter it into a website or desktop application, and treat unexpected requests for it as a serious warning. No support representative needs your phrase to diagnose a problem.

Also be cautious with browser extensions, remote-access requests, and messages that imitate familiar brands. When uncertain, close the message and find the official help channel independently. A legitimate-looking screen is not proof that a request is safe.

If your device is not detected, try another trusted cable or USB port, close other applications that may be using the connection, and restart the app. Check that your operating system and the app are current using official update instructions. If account activity looks incomplete, allow synchronization to finish and check the relevant network status before taking another action.

For a failed or pending transaction, first inspect its status using a reputable block explorer reached independently. Network congestion can affect confirmation time. Do not repeat a transfer simply because a screen has not refreshed, and never reveal your recovery phrase to someone offering to fix it. If you contact support, share only the minimum non-sensitive information requested through the official channel.