Welcome to Ledger Live — the desktop companion for your Ledger hardware wallet. This guide walks you through initial setup, key security practices, how to add accounts, receive and send crypto, and troubleshooting common issues. We use clear headings and steps so you can follow along whether you're new to hardware wallets or just refreshing your knowledge.
Open your Ledger device and check the packaging. Verify the tamper-evident seals are intact. Ledger devices ship with a recovery sheet and a USB cable. Do not accept packages with damaged seals, and never buy ledger devices from unknown third-party sellers.
Download Ledger Live for Desktop from the official site and install it. Choose the desktop app for your OS (Windows, macOS, Linux). When the app opens, select “Initialize as new device” if your device is brand new, or “Restore device” if you are recovering from an existing recovery phrase.
Follow on-screen instructions to create a 4–8 digit PIN on the device. Memorize the PIN — do not store it digitally. The device will lock after a few incorrect attempts to protect your funds.
Ledger will show a 24-word recovery phrase. Write it down precisely on the supplied recovery sheet. Store it in a safe location — a bank safe deposit or a fireproof safe are good options. Never photograph or type your recovery phrase; never share it online.
Open Ledger Live, go to “Accounts”, and click “Add account”. Choose the crypto asset and follow the prompts to connect your device. Ledger Live syncs account balances and transaction history from the blockchain so you can manage multiple currencies from one place.
To receive funds, choose the account, click “Receive”, and verify the address on your hardware device before sharing. To send, click “Send”, enter the recipient address, amount, and confirm on the device. Always verify addresses on the hardware — this prevents malware from changing them on your computer.
Security tips
Security is the most important aspect of using a hardware wallet. Keep your recovery phrase offline and split backups across secure locations if needed. Enable the passphrase feature only if you understand how it works — a lost passphrase can mean lost funds. Keep your device firmware up to date using Ledger Live updates; firmware updates often include security patches and new features.
Common gotchas
Beware of phishing sites. Always verify you are downloading Ledger Live from the official domain. Ledger will never ask for your recovery phrase over email or chat. If you lose your device, you can restore accounts on a new Ledger device or compatible wallet using the 24-word recovery phrase, but you must keep that phrase secure.