Ledger® Live: Desktop

Getting Started with Ledgér | Lédger®

This document provides a thorough, plain‑style walkthrough (approx. 2000 words) for installing Ledger Live on desktop, preparing and initializing a Ledger hardware device, securing a recovery phrase, managing accounts, troubleshooting common issues, and applying practical best practices for everyday and long‑term use. The page intentionally uses minimal styling and neutral formatting so it is suitable for internal distribution, printing, or inclusion in technical manuals.

1. Purpose and audience

This guide is for users who wish to use Ledger Live on a desktop as the primary interface for managing Ledger hardware wallets. It is written for a range of readers: people new to hardware wallets, experienced users seeking a plain reference, and IT or security teams who need a concise but complete document for training and standard operating procedures. The emphasis is on practical steps and security practices rather than marketing language.

2. What you will need

Before you begin, prepare the following items to ensure the setup goes smoothly. Having these ready will reduce interruptions and minimize mistakes during the critical seed write‑down step.

  1. Your Ledger hardware device (for example models such as Nano S Plus or Nano X) and the original cable supplied with the device.
  2. A desktop or laptop running a supported operating system — typically recent versions of Windows, macOS, or a mainstream Linux distribution. Ensure the system has current security updates applied.
  3. A pen and the provided recovery sheet (paper) or a durable physical backup such as a steel seed plate if you already possess one. Do not use digital notes or photographs to record seed words.
  4. Access to a stable internet connection for downloading Ledger Live and syncing account data (you may perform some initialization steps offline if needed, but downloads require connectivity).
  5. If possible, perform setup in a private environment without observers and avoid public Wi‑Fi or shared computers.

3. Downloading and installing Ledger Live

Obtain the Ledger Live installer appropriate for your operating system. Follow your standard installation procedure: run the installer, approve any system prompts, and allow the program to install necessary components. During installation you may be asked for administrative permissions — grant them if you trust the host system.

Important: Verify the installer source before running it. If you are using an organizational distribution channel, obtain the installer from the approved internal repository or package management system rather than an unverified source.

After installation completes, launch Ledger Live. On first run the app will display onboarding options such as creating a new device profile, restoring from an existing recovery phrase, or opening without a connected device. Take a moment to read the brief introduction before proceeding.

4. Device preparation and inspection

Inspect the physical device and packaging for signs of tampering. The device should look new and show no unusual physical marks. Confirm that accessories, including the cable and recovery sheet, are present. If anything appears altered, do not proceed and contact the seller or your organization's procurement/security team.

Connect the device directly to the computer using the supplied cable. Avoid USB hubs or untrusted adapters during the initial setup; direct connections reduce the surface area for hardware faults or communication issues.

5. Initializing a new device

If the device is new, choose the "set up as new device" flow within Ledger Live. The application will guide you through basic steps. On the device you will be asked to select and confirm a numeric PIN. Choose a PIN that is memorable to you but not obvious; avoid using birthdays, repeated numbers, or simple sequences. The device uses the PIN to protect against unauthorized local access.

Once the PIN is set, the device will generate a recovery phrase—a sequence of words used to restore the wallet. Write each word carefully in order on the provided recovery sheet. Double‑check spelling and position for every word. After the device asks you to confirm a few random words to ensure you recorded them correctly, the device will finalize initialization.

If you are in a corporate environment, follow your organization's policy for seeding and backup procedures. Some organizations require additional steps such as splitting the seed across custodians or storing a copy in an institutional safe.

6. Restoring an existing wallet

If restoring from an existing recovery phrase, select the restore option in Ledger Live and follow on‑device prompts. Enter the words using the device interface; most devices use buttons or a small input method on the device itself. Enter the words exactly and in order. After successful entry the device will rebuild the keys and derive accounts consistent with the seed.

After restoration, you will be able to add accounts for various supported cryptocurrencies and begin operations as normal. Keep in mind that network synchronization and account discovery may take a few minutes depending on network congestion and the number of accounts derived from the seed.

7. Installing blockchain apps and adding accounts

Ledger devices use small on‑device applications for each supported blockchain. Within Ledger Live there is a manager area where you can install these apps. Install only the apps you need. Note: Some devices have limited application storage; if you must manage many blockchains, you may uninstall apps you are not actively using and reinstall them later. Removing an app does not delete the underlying keys or funds, as the seed remains the authoritative backup.

After installing an app, return to the accounts section in Ledger Live and add a new account for the relevant blockchain. Ledger Live will query the device and display the addresses/accounts derived from your recovery phrase.

8. Receiving and verifying addresses

When generating a receiving address, always verify the address on the device screen before sharing it with a sender. The device display is the ground truth; malware on a computer can alter what is shown in the application but cannot change what is physically displayed on the device. Confirm the address matches letter‑for‑letter and then use a small test transfer if sending funds from an exchange or a third party for the first time.

9. Sending transactions and on‑device approval

To send funds, prepare the transaction in Ledger Live: enter destination address, amount, and decide on fee levels. After constructing the transaction, Ledger Live will forward the unsigned transaction to the device. Review the recipient, amount, and fee directly on the hardware device's screen. Only approve the transaction if every piece of information is correct. The device will then cryptographically sign the transaction; Ledger Live will broadcast the signed transaction to the network.

Always check the device screen line by line. Some tokens and smart contract interactions include multiple lines of data; carefully confirm each one to understand what you are signing.

10. Passphrase and hidden wallets (advanced)

An optional passphrase feature allows the creation of additional hidden wallets derived from the same recovery phrase. A passphrase acts as an extra word appended to the seed. While this increases security and can offer plausible deniability, it also increases complexity: losing the passphrase means losing access to the hidden wallet. Use this feature only if you understand its implications and have disciplined secret management.

11. Backups and secure storage

Permanent, secure backups of the recovery phrase are essential. The simplest practice is to write the phrase on the provided recovery sheet and store it in a secure, offline location such as a safe deposit box or a home safe. For additional resilience consider durable, fireproof backups such as stainless steel plates designed for seed storage. If you store multiple copies, keep them geographically separated to reduce the risk of a single catastrophic event destroying all backups.

12. Troubleshooting common problems

Below are practical steps for recurring issues users may encounter:

13. Advanced custody: multisignature and air‑gapped signing

For institutional or high‑value holdings, consider advanced architectures. Multisignature wallets distribute signing authority across multiple keys, reducing single‑point‑of‑failure risk. Air‑gapped signing involves keeping a device offline, generating unsigned transactions elsewhere, and transferring them to the air‑gapped device for signing. These workflows increase security but require careful operational procedures and training.

14. Operational best practices and policies

Maintain written procedures for device custody, onboarding and offboarding personnel, and incident response. Limit the number of people with physical access to signing devices. Establish thresholds for transaction approvals and consider dual control for large transfers. Regularly rehearse recovery procedures using test devices to ensure your team can restore from seeds when needed.

15. Privacy and compliance notes

Blockchain transactions are public; plan for privacy accordingly. Use separate accounts for distinct purposes, avoid address reuse, and retain transaction records for accounting and tax reporting. Comply with local laws and organizational policies regarding KYC, AML, and record retention.

16. Final checklist

  1. Install Ledger Live on a trusted desktop following approved procedures.
  2. Inspect the device physically and connect directly via USB.
  3. Initialize or restore the device using on‑device controls and write the seed on physical media.
  4. Install required blockchain apps and add accounts in Ledger Live.
  5. Verify addresses on the device and test with small transactions before large transfers.
  6. Store backups securely and rehearse recovery periodically.