Ledger Live Desktop is the main software interface for Ledger hardware wallets, designed to give users complete control over their digital assets with security as the highest priority. Whether you're new to Ledger or a long-time crypto user looking to refine your setup, Ledger Live Desktop brings together everything you need in one intuitive environment. It combines device management, portfolio tracking, transaction verification, staking, swapping, buying, and advanced account tools—while preserving the core principle: your private keys never leave your Ledger device.
Ledger Live Desktop is a multi-platform application for Windows, macOS, and Linux that allows users to interact with their Ledger hardware wallets. It serves as the “command center” of your cold storage environment. The app doesn’t store private keys, seed phrases, or signing authority. Instead, it connects securely to your Ledger device, which performs all cryptographic signing inside a secure element.
Users rely on Ledger Live to install blockchain apps, add accounts, send and receive crypto, manage tokens, sync portfolio balances, and access integrated third-party services for buying, staking, or swapping assets. Ledger Live Desktop provides richer controls, deeper analytics, and more stable performance than mobile versions, making it the preferred choice for everyday management.
Always download Ledger Live Desktop from the official Ledger website. One of the most important security rules is to avoid download links sent through emails, messages, or social media profiles. Fake installers are one of the most common phishing threats targeting hardware wallet users.
The dashboard provides an overview of your holdings—balances, historical performance charts, recent transactions, and market prices. You can organize accounts by blockchain, analyze growth, or track long-term trends. Ledger Live automatically syncs blockchain data to display accurate balances from your device’s public addresses.
Ledger Live allows you to manage multiple accounts across dozens of blockchains including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Polygon, Binance Smart Chain, Avalanche, and more. Each account corresponds to your Ledger device’s derivation paths, ensuring deterministic and secure address generation.
Sending assets is a two-step process: Ledger Live prepares the transaction, and your Ledger device signs it. Nothing gets broadcast until you physically confirm the details on your hardware wallet screen. This design prevents malware or compromised computers from altering transaction details.
Ledger Live integrates with regulated third-party partners that allow:
All operations still require confirmation on your Ledger device, maintaining end-to-end security.
Your Ledger wallet generates and stores your private keys inside a secure element chip. Ledger Live can view balances and prepare transactions but cannot sign them. Even if your computer is compromised, your assets remain protected unless your recovery phrase is exposed.
For networks such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, advanced users can manually customize fee levels for faster confirmations or cost-optimized transactions.
You can separate holdings across multiple accounts for privacy, business purposes, long-term storage, or high-volume trading. Each account is independently derived from your seed.
Ledger Live integrates WalletConnect and other routing systems that let you interact with decentralized platforms while keeping private keys entirely on your hardware wallet.
Ledger devices can be used for script automation, programmatic transactions, or wallet development using official command-line tools and SDKs. Developers appreciate Ledger for reliable deterministic signing and secure transaction handling.
If you encounter persistent errors, syncing issues, or app installation failures, contact Ledger Support through official channels. Never share your recovery phrase with support agents or anyone else—no legitimate support request will ask for it.