Getting Started with Ledger – Your Secure Crypto Companion
Ledger Live Desktop is the official companion app designed to work with your Ledger hardware wallet, such as the Nano X or Nano S Plus. It enables you to securely manage your cryptocurrency assets from your computer with ease and confidence.
This guide will walk you through setting up Ledger Live, installing apps, managing accounts, and performing essential tasks like sending, receiving, swapping crypto, and staking — all while ensuring your private keys remain secure.
Head over to the Ledger official start page and download Ledger Live Desktop for your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux). Follow the installation instructions to get started.
Plug your Ledger device into your computer using the USB cable. Unlock it using your PIN code. If this is your first time, follow the on-screen prompts to set up your device and write down your recovery phrase securely.
Open Ledger Live and navigate to the “Manager” tab. From here, you can install the blockchain apps (such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.) onto your hardware wallet. This enables Ledger Live to interact with those assets securely.
Go to the “Accounts” tab in Ledger Live and click “Add Account”. Choose the cryptocurrency and Ledger Live will synchronize your balance and transaction history automatically.
To send crypto, click the “Send” button, enter the recipient address and amount, then confirm the transaction details. Verify all information on your Ledger device’s screen before approving the transaction to prevent fraud.
To receive funds, select the “Receive” tab, pick the appropriate account, and verify your deposit address on the Ledger device. Share this address with the sender securely.
Ledger Live offers integrated swapping options allowing you to exchange one crypto asset for another within the app safely, without exposing your private keys.
Ledger Live Desktop supports staking for various coins including Tezos, Cosmos, Polkadot, and more — enabling you to earn rewards directly from the app.
It also provides an NFT gallery where you can view, receive, and manage your non-fungible tokens securely.
You can restore your wallet on a new Ledger device or compatible wallet using your recovery phrase. Without this phrase, your assets cannot be recovered.
Yes, Ledger Live can be installed on multiple computers. However, all transactions require physical confirmation on your Ledger device.
Always download Ledger Live from the official Ledger website. Verify digital signatures if available and be cautious of unofficial sources.