A clear, careful walkthrough for setting up your desktop companion, connecting a device, and making your first moves with confidence.
Give yourself time to review each prompt. In self-custody, careful checks are part of the setup—not an extra step.
First, a quick noteThis is an independent educational guide, not an official Ledger publication. Product screens may change. Verify current instructions using Ledger’s official website and support center.
Open Ledger’s official website by typing its address directly into your browser. Follow its Desktop app download link for your operating system. Avoid sponsored search results, unsolicited messages, file-sharing sites, and links sent by strangers. Confirm the domain spelling before downloading; a convincing logo is not proof that a download is safe.
Open the installer you just downloaded and follow the operating system prompts. If Ledger publishes a checksum or signature for that release, compare it using the instructions on Ledger’s own support pages. Keep your operating system and security software current. When installation finishes, launch Ledger Live from your applications folder rather than from an unknown pop-up.
On first launch, review the welcome screen and choose whether to set up a new Ledger device, restore access with a device you already own, or explore the app without connecting a device. Screen names can change between versions. Follow the current in-app prompts and the device manufacturer’s official instructions; never enter a recovery phrase into a computer or website.
Connect your hardware wallet using a trusted cable and unlock it yourself. Read prompts on the device screen, not only on your computer. Install or update device firmware only through the official workflow and only after understanding the instructions. Device confirmation matters: approve addresses and transactions on the hardware wallet display, and reject anything you did not initiate.
Use the app’s account or asset controls to add supported accounts. Ledger Live may ask you to install a network-specific app on the device first. An account view helps organize balances and activity; it does not hold your private keys. Networks differ, so check asset and network compatibility before receiving funds. A token sent on the wrong network may be difficult or impossible to recover.
Choose Receive for the account you intend to use and carefully verify the displayed address against the address shown on your hardware device. Confirm that the sender will use the correct asset and network. For a first transfer, consider sending a small test amount and waiting for confirmation before moving a larger balance. Never trust an address copied from an unfamiliar message.
Choose Send, select the correct account, and check the destination, asset, amount, network fee, and final total. Fees vary with network demand and are not controlled solely by the app. Read every transaction detail on the device display before approving. If the address, amount, or purpose differs from what you expected, cancel and investigate. Blockchain transfers are generally irreversible.
Your recovery phrase is the master backup for your wallet. Keep it private and offline. Ledger support will never need your recovery phrase, PIN, or password. Anyone asking you to reveal it—or type it into a site, app, chat, or computer—is attempting to take control of your assets.