Ledger Live Desktop® — secure Step-by-Step Setup & Security. Follow this comprehensive step-by-step setup and security guide for Ledger Live Desktop®, including official checks, firmware updates, recovery phrase best practices, and trusted external resources to keep your assets safe.
Before you begin: official checks and downloads
Always download Ledger Live Desktop® from Ledger’s official site. Verify the file signature or checksum where provided. Official pages: Ledger Live download and the official support portal at support.ledger.com. Avoid third-party mirrors to reduce risk of tampered installers.
Step 1 — Prepare your device
Use a genuine Ledger hardware wallet. Unbox and follow the hardware instructions. When initializing, Ledger devices generate your recovery phrase; write it down physically on the provided card or a secure metal backup. Never store the recovery phrase digitally. If you already have a device, ensure it has the latest firmware via Ledger Live's firmware update flow.
Step 2 — Install Ledger Live Desktop®
Download for your OS, install and run Ledger Live Desktop®. The app will prompt to pair your device. During pairing it may request firmware updates; allow updates only if they originate from Ledger Live and after verifying the update notices. If you see unexpected prompts, stop and consult the official support page.
Step 3 — Add accounts and sync
Add accounts for supported assets using the Ledger Live account wizard. Ledger Live Desktop® fetches public data to display balances, but private keys stay on your device. Use the portfolio view and configure notifications for price changes if desired.
Recovery phrase: Do's and Don'ts
Your 24-word recovery phrase is the only backup to your funds. Do write it down physically, store it in a safe and ideally use a fireproof/metal backup. Don’t photograph it, type it in a cloud note, or share it with anyone. Ledger will never ask for your recovery phrase via email or support chat.
Advanced security steps
Consider the following: use a dedicated device for crypto operations, enable OS-level disk encryption, keep desktop software up to date, and consider multi-sig arrangements for larger holdings. Use hardware wallets for signing and maintain an air-gapped policy for the seed when possible.
Authoritative reading and external guides
For official troubleshooting and guides, consult:
FAQs and common pitfalls
Common problems: device not recognized (try cables and official ports), missing accounts (ensure you added correct asset apps), firmware update issues (follow official recovery steps and support articles). Do not use community-supplied "recovery tools" that ask for your seed phrase.
This guide reflects widely accepted best practices and points to official Ledger materials. For the most current security guidance consult Ledger official pages and the Ledger Academy.