Overview — What is Ledger® Live Desktop?
Ledger® Live Desktop is the official desktop client that lets you manage cryptocurrency accounts while keeping private keys on your Ledger® hardware device. It offers account overview, transaction sending/receiving, firmware and app management on the device, and interfaces to third-party services — all while your seed phrase remains offline on the hardware key.
Download & Install
Always download Ledger® Live Desktop from Ledger®’s official downloads page. Choose the correct installer for Windows (.exe), macOS (.dmg), or Linux (.AppImage). After download:
- Verify file integrity when checksums are provided.
- Run the installer and follow on-screen prompts.
- Grant necessary USB permissions on macOS/Windows if asked.
Quick tip: Use a good quality data-capable USB cable (not a charge-only cable) and avoid USB hubs when first connecting your device.
Ledger® Live Wallet & Login Flow
Ledger® Live does not hold your keys. To log in you must:
- Connect and unlock your Ledger® device with its PIN.
- Open Ledger® Live and choose “Connect my device”.
- Approve any prompts on the hardware device to allow account discovery.
If Ledger® Live can’t see accounts, ensure the appropriate coin app (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum) is installed on the device via the Manager tab.
Common Problems & Fixes
Ledger Login Not Working / Error Connecting Ledger® Account: Restart Ledger® Live and the device, try a different USB port/cable, update Ledger® Live and device firmware, and temporarily disable firewall/antivirus to test. If errors persist, reinstall Ledger® Live using the official installer.
Ledger® Live App Not Working / Can't verify Ledger® Wallet: Confirm you’re using the latest Ledger® Live version and that your device firmware is current. If a verification step fails, recheck URLs and never enter your recovery phrase into Ledger® Live or any website.
Ledger® vs Trezor — Compatibility
Ledger® and Trezor use separate hardware ecosystems. Ledger® Live is built for Ledger® devices — it does not officially manage Trezor hardware. To access a Trezor seed, use Trezor Suite or a compatible multisig/third-party wallet. Never import or type a recovery phrase into a device or app that you haven’t verified.
Account Recovery & 2FA Questions
Account recovery for Ledger® devices depends exclusively on your recovery phrase (typically 24 words). Ledger® Live has no server-side 2FA for your seed; if you rely on third-party services with 2FA, manage those separately. If your device is lost, use your recovery phrase to restore on a new Ledger® device or any compatible BIP39-enabled wallet.
When to Contact Ledger® Help Center
If you encounter persistent, unexplained errors, device firmware failures, or suspicious behavior, consult the official Ledger® Help Center for step-by-step diagnostics and verified support channels. Avoid sharing full recovery phrases in forums — support never asks for them.