Welcome to your Ledger Live Desktop setup guide. Whether you’ve just unboxed your Hardware Wallet Model or are transitioning from a software wallet, this walkthrough will help you initialize Ledger Live App, set up your recovery seed, and secure your digital assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum using true cold storage.
Ledger devices, paired with the Ledger Live desktop app, provide one of the most trusted methods for offline crypto storage. Your private keys stay protected inside a secure element chip—completely isolated from your internet-connected computer.
Start by visiting Ledger.com/Start. This official page ensures you download the authentic Ledger Live app directly from the manufacturer.
Select the version of Ledger Live for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux) and install it. After installation, open the app and follow the on-screen prompts to begin.
Using the provided USB cable, connect your Hardware Wallet Model to your computer. When prompted, choose “Set up as new device” (if it’s your first time) or “Restore device” if you already have a Ledger Live Login recovery seed.
After writing down your recovery phrase, your device will prompt you to confirm several random words from it. This ensures accuracy before continuing. Once verified, your wallet is initialized securely inside the device’s secure element.
Launch the Ledger Live desktop app and connect your hardware wallet. The app will automatically check if your device is genuine and up-to-date. Approve any firmware updates shown on your device screen.
Inside Ledger Live, open the Manager tab and install coin apps such as Bitcoin or Ethereum. Then, navigate to Accounts → Add Account to generate your receiving addresses.
Once set up, you have created true offline cold storage for your crypto assets. Your private keys remain locked inside the secure element chip, isolated from online attacks.
Ledger’s secure element hardware and proprietary OS (BOLOS) isolate your private keys from your computer, ensuring best hardware wallet security. Combined with the Ledger Live desktop app, you can manage 5,000+ coins and tokens safely, all while maintaining offline protection.
Protecting your Bitcoin and Ethereum with this method ensures long-term resilience against hacks, malware, and phishing—making it one of the most reliable options for non-custodial crypto management.
There’s no traditional username or password for Ledger Login. Instead, your hardware device and PIN code act as your secure “login.” Ledger Live simply interfaces with your device to manage accounts—the private keys never leave the hardware.
Congratulations—you’ve successfully completed your Hardware Wallet Model Setup and initialized your Ledger Live App. You now control your digital wealth safely and privately through one of the most trusted systems in crypto security.