Key features & capabilities
Ledger Live Desktop bundles a set of features crafted for both beginners and experienced crypto users. The portfolio view aggregates balances from multiple blockchains and tokens, displaying performance metrics and historical charts. The integrated accounts system lets you create and manage multiple accounts per protocol; each transaction must be confirmed on your Ledger device, guaranteeing that private keys never leave the hardware. A built-in app manager lets you install blockchain apps to your device, while the curated marketplace and partner integrations simplify connecting decentralized applications (dApps) and services.
- Portfolio dashboard — consolidated balances, performance, and exportable CSV reporting.
- Secure transactions — on-device confirmation and transaction review for every send.
- App manager — install blockchain apps to your Ledger device directly from the desktop app.
- Staking & rewards — stake supported assets and track rewards without exposing keys.
- Swap & Buy — in-app integrations for buying and swapping assets via trusted partners.
- Developer tools — advanced settings for testnets, custom derivation paths and more.
Security & privacy
Ledger Live Desktop is designed around a zero-trust approach to private keys: secret material is generated and stored exclusively on the Ledger device: the desktop app acts as a user interface and local state manager. Every transaction requires explicit verification and signature on the device itself, ensuring that malware on the host computer cannot exfiltrate keys or silently approve operations.
The app maintains local encrypted storage for configuration and caches, and offers features such as firmware update notifications, PIN verification prompts, and step-by-step recovery guidance. For privacy, the desktop application minimizes external data sharing — network calls are made only when necessary (e.g., for blockchain data, price feeds, or partner services) and sensitive information such as recovery seeds should never be entered into the app.
Getting started
Download the Ledger Live Desktop installer for your operating system, connect your Ledger device using a USB cable (or via Bluetooth for supported models), and follow the in-app onboarding. You can create a new device, or restore an existing one using your recovery phrase. Once your accounts are added, the app will synchronize balances and show actionable options like Receive, Send, Swap, or Stake.
Best practices
- Always verify the app signature and download from an official source.
- Never enter your recovery phrase into a computer — write it down on a physical medium and keep it offline.
- Confirm transaction details on the connected device, not only in the app UI.
Ecosystem integrations
Ledger Live Desktop connects to a wide ecosystem of blockchains, wallets and third-party partners. Popular token standards, staking validators, and software wallets are supported via direct integrations or standard protocols. The app provides easy flows for using dApps through browser extensions or partner bridges while maintaining the Ledger device as the root of trust for approvals.
Who it's for
Ledger Live Desktop fits users who want centralized visibility and local control over their crypto holdings while keeping key material offline. It serves hobby investors managing a few assets, power users running multiple accounts, and developers who need testnet management and device testing features.