Send / Receive

Ledger Live Desktop® — Secure Crypto Management™ Platform

A modern desktop application that brings secure, private, and simple crypto management to your fingertips.

What is Ledger Live Desktop®?

Ledger Live Desktop® is a comprehensive application designed for people who hold cryptocurrencies and want a secure, intuitive way to manage their digital assets from their desktop computer. It unifies portfolio tracking, secure device interactions, staking, token swaps and transaction history in one polished interface while prioritizing safety and user privacy.

Core features

Secure hardware integration: Seamlessly connects with hardware wallets to keep private keys offline while allowing signed transactions on your desktop.
Portfolio overview: Real-time balances, historical performance charts and gains/losses view to help you monitor your holdings at a glance.
Send & receive: Create, verify and sign transactions with transparent fee controls and address verification to reduce human error.
Staking & yield: Stake supported assets directly through the app to earn rewards without exposing your private keys.
On-device approvals: Transaction approvals occur on your hardware device, ensuring the desktop app never holds your private keys.
Built-in swap and buy flows: Swap between supported tokens or purchase crypto via integrated providers, with clear pricing and route options.
Account-level privacy: Your account data and transaction history remain on your device by default; the app avoids unnecessary cloud exposure.

Security-first design

Security is the foundation of Ledger Live Desktop®. The application is built to work hand-in-hand with a hardware security module (your hardware wallet), which stores private keys in an isolated environment. Every critical operation—seed setup, transaction approval, firmware updates—requires on-device confirmation so an attacker with remote access to your desktop cannot silently move funds.

Additional security controls include PIN protection for the hardware device, support for recovery phrases handled offline, and integrity checks for firmware. The desktop app itself focuses on minimizing attack surface by not storing secrets and by using secure communication channels to the paired hardware wallet.

Usability and workflows

Ledger Live Desktop® balances robust security with approachable workflows. New users are guided through device setup and account creation with clear prompts and warnings. Advanced users can customize network fees, manage multiple accounts, export transaction history for taxes, and connect to third-party dApps in a controlled fashion.

The interface groups common tasks—view balances, send/receive, stake, swap—so you can complete everyday actions quickly. Built-in educational tips explain concepts like gas fees, confirmations and staking rewards so you stay in control.

Interoperability and ecosystem

Ledger Live Desktop® supports a broad set of blockchains and tokens, and integrates with ecosystem partners for swaps, fiat on-ramps, and staking providers. This makes it a practical single-app hub for users who hold assets across multiple networks and want consistent management without juggling multiple wallets.

Getting started (quick overview)

Download and install the desktop app for your operating system.
Connect your hardware wallet and follow the on-screen setup to create or restore an account.
Add the accounts for the blockchains you use and let the app synchronize balances and transaction history.
Verify every transaction on your hardware device before approving to keep your keys safe.

Best practices

Always verify addresses visually on your hardware device when sending funds.
Keep your recovery phrase offline and never share it—no legitimate app or service will ask for it.
Keep device firmware up to date and install app updates from official sources only.
Use strong, unique passwords for any associated accounts and a secure, offline backup plan for recovery phrases.

Why choose a desktop app?

Desktop applications typically offer richer interfaces, more detailed transaction history and stronger isolation from mobile threats. When paired with a hardware wallet, Ledger Live Desktop® provides a high-assurance environment for managing larger or long-term crypto holdings without sacrificing usability.

Wrap-up

Ledger Live Desktop® — Secure Crypto Management™ Platform brings together industry-standard security and a user-focused interface to make crypto management safer and easier. Whether you’re checking a portfolio, staking tokens, or executing a swap, the desktop app helps you do it with confidence while keeping private keys offline and under your control.

Get started with Ledger Live Desktop®

Top 5 FAQs

1. Do I need a hardware wallet to use Ledger Live Desktop®?: Yes. Ledger Live Desktop® is designed to work with a Ledger hardware device which stores your private keys offline. The desktop app provides the interface and the device provides secure signing.
2. What happens if I lose my hardware device?: If you lose your device, you can restore access to your accounts using your recovery phrase (seed) on a new compatible device. Keep the recovery phrase safe and offline; it is the only reliable way to recover funds.
3. Are my private keys ever exposed to the desktop app or the internet?: No. Private keys remain on your hardware wallet. The desktop app sends unsigned transactions which you then review and sign on-device. Ledger Live Desktop® does not store private keys.
4. Can I stake tokens through Ledger Live Desktop®?: Yes. Supported assets can be staked directly from the app. Staking options, rewards rates and lock-up terms vary by blockchain—review the terms in-app before confirming.
5. Is Ledger Live Desktop® free to use?: The application itself is free to download and use. Network transaction fees, swap provider fees or third-party service fees may apply when sending tokens, swapping, or purchasing crypto.