A definitive description of Ledger Live Desktop for secure management of hardware wallet assets, installation, requirements and security best practices.
Ledger Live Desktop is the official companion application for Ledger hardware wallets that enables users to manage cryptocurrency accounts, install device apps, send and receive assets, stake supported tokens, and view portfolio balances directly from a desktop environment. The application is designed to keep private keys offline on the Ledger device while providing a local, user-controlled interface for portfolio and device management. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Supported desktop platforms and minimum requirements: Windows 10 (64-bit) or later, macOS 10.15 (Catalina) or later, and selected modern Linux distributions (Ubuntu 20.04+ recommended). Ensure you run the latest OS updates and a supported CPU architecture (Intel/AMD). Always consult Ledger’s official support pages for the current, exact requirements before installation. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Ledger Live Desktop provides an integrated feature set for managing hardware wallets: account creation and management for hundreds of assets, app management (install/uninstall on the device), transaction signing that requires physical confirmation on the Ledger device, portfolio tracking, built-in swap and staking integrations (where available), and a Manager interface to maintain device apps. The app architecture is built to minimize exposure of sensitive data by keeping private keys on the hardware device. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
Ledger Live Desktop is purpose-built to operate with Ledger hardware so that private keys never leave the device. Every transaction must be physically confirmed on the Ledger device display, which is the core security control that prevents remote transaction signing. Users should keep recovery phrases offline, never enter them into Ledger Live, and only download Ledger Live from the official ledger.com site to avoid counterfeit or trojanized installers. Recent reporting emphasizes threats from counterfeit/fake Ledger applications—always verify sources and digital signatures. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
Download Ledger Live only from the official Ledger website and follow the platform-specific installer instructions. After installation, connect your Ledger device by USB (or via Bluetooth for supported Ledger models), open the Manager to install apps for the tokens you intend to use, and confirm any firmware prompts on the device itself. Keep Ledger Live and your device firmware up to date; Ledger publishes release notes and version information on their support and GitHub release pages. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
If you encounter installation, connection, or update issues, consult Ledger’s official troubleshooting guides and release notes. Common remediation steps include verifying downloaded checksums/signatures, trying another USB cable/port, confirming OS permissions, and checking for device firmware updates. For unresolved problems or suspected compromises, contact Ledger Support directly and avoid sharing recovery phrases in any support channel. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
Ledger Live exposes integration points for third-party services via the Ledger ecosystem and documented APIs/SDKs. Developers building with Ledger should follow Ledger’s security guidelines, test on supported environments, and reference the official GitHub repositories and developer documentation for current SDKs and integration patterns. Always design integrations so that private keys remain protected on the hardware device and that transaction signing requires on-device confirmation. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
Ledger Live Desktop is the official, desktop management application for Ledger hardware wallets that balances usability and strong security by keeping private keys on the device and requiring physical confirmation for transactions. For the latest downloads, release notes, and security advisories always refer to Ledger’s official site and support resources. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}