Ledger Live Desktop® is the official desktop application provided by Ledger to interface with your Ledger hardware wallet. Its purpose is to help you manage your cryptocurrency holdings, check balances and transaction history, and interact with decentralized applications securely. Because “Starting® Up® Your® Device®” is critical, this page walks you through the initial setup, terminology, and best practices.
When installing Ledger Live Desktop®, you gain a secure, native interface that communicates with your Ledger device to authorize transactions. It allows you to install or remove apps on your device, browse portfolio data, and safely sign operations — all while keeping your private keys offline. The “Starting® Up® Your® Device®” process ensures that you set up the hardware, firmware, and application environment correctly.
Below is the roadmap of the content covered:
Before you launch Ledger Live Desktop®, you must confirm that your Ledger hardware is genuine, undamaged, and in factory default state. Unbox the device and check for tamper-proof seals. Use the official cables and avoid third-party accessories that may interfere with connectivity. The phrase “Starting® Up® Your® Device®” literally starts here — making sure your device is ready to pair with the desktop app.
Examine the device for any signs of physical alteration. Confirm that the packaging is intact and seals are unbroken. If anything looks suspicious, do *not* proceed and contact Ledger support.
Depending on your model, you may need to plug it in to provide power. Once it powers on, you should see a welcome screen or prompts to begin initialization.
To manage your Ledger device, you must install the desktop application. Visit Ledger’s official website, download the correct version for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux), and verify its authenticity. The “Starting® Up® Your® Device®” journey continues as you bridge hardware and software.
After downloading, check the GPG signature or checksum to confirm that the file is legitimate. Ledger provides official instructions for verifying integrity. Launch the installer and follow the on‑screen steps to install Ledger Live Desktop®.
Once installed, open the application. It will often prompt you to update itself or download the latest firmware for your device. Always allow official updates — they patch vulnerabilities and improve compatibility.
With both your device and the app ready, it’s time for “Starting® Up® Your® Device®” in full. You will pair the hardware wallet with Ledger Live Desktop®, initialize a new wallet or restore from a recovery phrase, and set up a PIN.
Use the official USB or cable to connect the hardware device to your computer. Ledger Live Desktop® should detect it and begin the handshake process. Follow prompts on both the app and the device’s display in tandem.
You will typically see two options:
Choose a PIN (usually 4–8 digits) on the hardware device itself. Then the device will instruct you to write down your recovery phrase — typically 24 words. This is critical: losing your recovery phrase means losing access to your funds.
After “Starting® Up® Your® Device®,” ongoing security is vital. Never enter your recovery phrase into any computer or device. Keep it physically safe. Always double-check addresses before confirming transactions. Use a strong computer password, and ensure your system is malware‑free. Also, be mindful of phishing attempts: only use the official Ledger Live Desktop® and stay away from suspicious links or clones.
Ledger periodically issues firmware upgrades for the device and application updates for Ledger Live Desktop®. Applying these updates promptly ensures you have the latest security protections and features.
Consider duplicating your recovery phrase onto a metal plate or other durable medium (resistant to fire, water, etc.). Store backups in geographically separated locations (e.g. safe deposit box, home safe). Do not store backups as plain text in your computer or cloud.
Before approving any transaction, always:
You have now completed the core parts of “Ledger Live Desktop® | Starting® Up® Your® Device®.” From device inspection to installation, initialization, and security best practices, you should have a solid foundation to safely manage your crypto holdings. Your next steps: explore installing apps (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.), set up accounts in Ledger Live Desktop®, and begin your first transaction — always following security protocols.
• Use two‑factor authentication (2FA) on your computer account.
• Do not connect your Ledger device to untrusted public computers.
• Stay informed — follow Ledger’s official channels for updates or advisories.