Ledger Live for Desktop — Secure Crypto Without the Guesswork
Ledger Live is the desktop companion to your Ledger hardware wallet. It organizes your crypto life into a single, calm interface where you can see balances, move funds, swap, stake, and explore Web3—while approvals stay on your device. If the numbers aren’t what you expect, you simply don’t approve.
One App for Accounts, Actions, and Assurance
Managing crypto shouldn’t mean juggling tabs or second‑guessing every click. Ledger Live consolidates portfolio tracking, account organization, and on‑chain actions into an environment purpose‑built for clarity. Sensitive steps—like sending funds or approving a smart‑contract call—are mirrored on your hardware wallet’s screen, so what you see is what you sign.
Self‑Custody, Simplified
Your private keys never leave the Ledger device. Ledger Live builds transactions locally and routes them to your device for physical confirmation.
Organized by Design
Group accounts by chain or purpose, hide dust, label addresses, and export clean histories—so audits and taxes stop being a scramble.
Multi‑Chain Coverage
Add Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other supported networks; swap, bridge, and stake where available without installing extra extensions.
What You Can Do
- Buy and sell via integrated partners with quotes you can compare.
- Swap tokens or bridge across compatible networks in a few steps.
- Stake supported assets, monitor rewards, and switch validators.
- Search, filter, and label transactions for effortless reporting.
- Use an address book to avoid re‑typing long strings.
- Choose privacy‑respecting analytics to get insight without tracking creep.
Security You Don’t Have to Take on Faith
Trust is earned through transparency. Ledger Live presents readable transaction details—amounts, destinations, fees, and network—before you ever touch the approve button. Your Ledger device displays the same data on a secure screen. If anything looks wrong, you back out. No hidden permissions, no silent broadcasts.
Every sensitive action requires a physical tap on your hardware wallet, blocking clipboard hijacks and spoofed prompts.
For supported dApps and chains, messages are shown in plain language so you know what you’re agreeing to.
Your accounts live on your computer; your seed phrase lives offline. Restore on a new device if hardware is lost—funds remain on‑chain.
Built‑In Best Practices
- Verify addresses on your device screen, not just in the app.
- Keep firmware and Ledger Live up to date for the newest protections.
- Split holdings by purpose—long‑term, trading, spending—for clarity.
- Never share or photograph your recovery phrase.
Security is a habit. Ledger Live helps you build the right ones by default.
From Install to First Send in Five Minutes
- Download Ledger Live for Windows or macOS and open the installer.
- Connect your Ledger via USB (or Bluetooth where supported) and unlock with your PIN.
- Add accounts for the assets you plan to manage. Addresses are derived from your device.
- Receive a small test amount to confirm everything’s wired correctly.
- Send, swap, or stake with a clear preview and on‑device approval.
Why Desktop?
Serious decisions deserve a big screen. With Ledger Live on desktop, you get more space to review details, compare fees, and manage many accounts without lag. Shortcuts keep you fast; advanced options stay tucked away until you need them.
- Unified dashboard for portfolio, networks, and settings.
- Fast search and filters for large collections of accounts.
- Stable performance over long histories and high activity.
- Exports that make accounting and taxes straightforward.
Do More With Confidence
Track balances across chains in one place. Filter, group, and customize views for clarity.
Purchase or cash out through integrated partners with transparent quotes and fees.
Move between assets or networks with straightforward flows and device‑level approvals.
Delegate to validators and monitor rewards on supported assets. Change validators anytime.
Tag addresses, add memos, and keep your history search‑friendly for audits and taxes.
Minimal telemetry with local control. Your seed phrase is never typed into a computer.
What People Like You Are Saying
“Ledger Live replaced three browser profiles and a dozen extensions for me. I get to the same outcome with fewer clicks.”
— Jamie D., active investor
“Readable transaction previews are the game‑changer. If the destination or amount isn’t what I expect, I cancel. Simple as that.”
— Minh T., security‑minded user
Built for Everyday Routines
- Quickly add networks and tokens as your strategy evolves.
- Use address books and labels to avoid repetitive typing.
- Export history when it’s time to reconcile or file taxes.
- Regular updates that sharpen security and expand support.
From first purchase to multi‑wallet setups, Ledger Live scales with you.
How Ledger Live Stacks Up
Desktop App
Predictable and focused. Built for careful review, large portfolios, and clear approvals.
Browser Wallets
Great for dApps but often cluttered. Ledger Live complements them for portfolio management and secure sending.
Hosted Accounts
Fast to start but usually custodial. Ledger Live keeps ownership with you using hardware‑based approvals.
Download Ledger Live for Windows & macOS
Get the official desktop app, connect your Ledger device, and manage crypto with confidence. Always verify the source of your download and keep both firmware and app versions current.
Requirements: recent Windows or macOS, USB/Bluetooth (device dependent), and internet connectivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ledger Live a wallet?
It’s the companion app to your hardware wallet. Ledger Live lets you view balances, generate receive addresses, and submit transactions; signing happens on the device for security.
Can I use it without a Ledger device?
You can explore and track, but secure signing requires a compatible hardware wallet. That physical step keeps keys offline.
Which assets and features are supported?
Support spans many major coins and tokens across multiple networks. Inside the app, check each asset’s page to see available actions in your region.
Does it support staking?
Yes—where available. You can delegate, monitor rewards, and switch validators with on‑device confirmations.
What happens if my device is lost?
Your funds remain on‑chain. Restore access on a new compatible device using your recovery phrase. Never type or share that phrase on a computer or website.
Quick Start
- Download the installer from the official source.
- Connect and unlock your Ledger device with your PIN.
- Add accounts for the networks you hold.
- Receive a small test amount to verify the flow.
- Use labels and an address book to streamline future sends.
In minutes, you’ll have a secure, organized workspace for crypto on PC or Mac.
Setup Tips
- Verify checksums if you’re comfortable with command line tools.
- Update firmware and the app regularly.
- Store your recovery phrase offline in a safe place.
- Separate long‑term holdings from day‑to‑day spending accounts.