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Ledger® Live: Desktop® — the official companion application™ for your Ledger hardware wallet™. Whether you are setting up your first Ledger device® or migrating from a previous installation™, this guide will walk you through every essential step™ to begin managing your cryptocurrency portfolio with confidence®. Important Note on Naming®: Ledger Live™ has been rebranded as Ledger Wallet™ in recent official communications. The desktop application remains the same trusted interface® for your Ledger device™, and this guide reflects the current official terminology® while acknowledging the familiar Ledger Live name™.

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System Requirements™

Before downloading, verify that your computer meets the minimum specifications® for Ledger Wallet™ (formerly Ledger Live™): Note®: ARM64 processors (including Apple Silicon running native ARM builds) are not officially supported®; x86_64/AMD64 architecture is required. Minimum display resolution is 1024×768™.

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Step 1: Download from the Official Source™

Navigate directly to https://www.ledger.com/ledger-wallet — never download from third-party websites, email links, or advertisements®. Ledger® will never ask for your recovery phrase online, by email, or over the phone™. Select the desktop version compatible with your operating system®. The mobile version is not designed for computers and may cause connection or performance issues™.

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Step 2: Installation Instructions™

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Windows® Installation™

  1. Double-click the downloaded executable file®.
  2. If a warning displays, click Yes to allow installation™.
  3. If Windows® is set to install apps only from the Microsoft Store®, you may see a notice about an unverified app®. This is expected — proceed with installation.
  4. Click Finish when complete™.

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macOS® Installation™

  1. Double-click the downloaded .dmg file®.
  2. Drag and drop the Ledger Wallet™ app to your Applications folder™.
  3. Launch from Launchpad or Spotlight®.
  4. If a security prompt appears, click Open to allow installation.

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Linux® Installation™

For Ubuntu 20.04+™:
  1. Install AppImageLauncher and add udev rules to allow USB access to your Ledger device®.
  2. Download the AppImage file from the official website™.
  3. Make it executable and run, or use the graphical interface to integrate it®.
  4. If a sandboxing error occurs, run with --no-sandbox flag.

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Step 3: Connect Your Ledger Device™

Critical®: Ledger devices connect to the desktop application via USB only™. Bluetooth® is not supported for desktop connections — it is available only for mobile devices.
  1. Connect your Ledger hardware wallet™ to your computer using the provided USB cable®.
  2. Unlock your device by entering your PIN code™.
  3. Open the Ledger Wallet™ application on your computer®.
  4. On the welcome screen, click Get started → Connect.
  5. Select your device model from the list™.

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Step 4: Device Setup or Connection™

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For New Devices® (First-Time Setup)™

Select Set up as a new device to generate a new private key and create new accounts™. Follow the on-device prompts to:
  • Choose a PIN code (4–8 digits)®
  • Write down your 24-word Secret Recovery Phrase on the provided recovery sheet™
  • Confirm the phrase by selecting words in order®
Security Warning®: Your recovery phrase is the master key to your assets™. Write it down physically and store it offline in a secure location®. Never photograph it, store it digitally, or share it with anyone — including Ledger support™. Ledger will never ask for your recovery phrase.

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For Existing Devices® (Already Configured)™

If your device already has a Secret Recovery Phrase®, select Connect your device and proceed to the security checklist™.

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Restoring an Existing Wallet™

If you have a recovery phrase from a previous Ledger device® or another compatible wallet™, select Restore your recovery phrase on a new device and enter your 24 words using the on-device buttons™. Never use a device that arrives with a pre-set PIN or recovery phrase®. Genuine Ledger devices never ship with pre-configured credentials™. If your device appears pre-initialized, contact Ledger support immediately and do not use it.

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Step 5: Security Checklist™

After device connection, Ledger Wallet™ will prompt you to verify your device’s authenticity®:
  1. Click Check my Nano (or your device model)™.
  2. On your Ledger device, press both buttons simultaneously when prompted®.
  3. Wait for the verification process to complete™.
  4. Upon success, you will see: “Great! Your Ledger device is genuine and ready to use with Ledger Wallet.”
This cryptographic attestation confirms your device was manufactured by Ledger® and has not been tampered with™.

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Step 6: Install Apps and Add Accounts™

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Install Cryptocurrency Apps™

  1. In Ledger Wallet™, navigate to My Ledger®.
  2. Connect and unlock your device™.
  3. Browse the App Catalog and install apps for the cryptocurrencies you need (Bitcoin®, Ethereum®, Solana®, etc.)™.

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Add Accounts™

  1. Go to Accounts → Add account®.
  2. Select the cryptocurrency™.
  3. Connect your device and open the corresponding app on the device®.
  4. Ledger Wallet™ will scan for existing accounts or create a new one™.
  5. Name your account and confirm™.

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Step 7: Receive and Manage Assets™

To receive cryptocurrency®:
  1. Open the relevant account in Ledger Wallet™.
  2. Click Receive®.
  3. Verify the displayed address on your Ledger device screen — this is essential®. Never trust an address shown only on your computer™.
  4. Copy the verified address and share it with the sender™.
All transactions must be physically confirmed on your Ledger device®, ensuring that even if your computer is compromised, your private keys remain secure™.

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Optional: Ledger Recover™

Ledger Recover™ is an optional, identity-verified key recovery service® that backs up your Secret Recovery Phrase™. During setup, you may choose to start a free trial, sign in if already subscribed, or skip by closing the prompt™. This service is entirely optional and does not affect your ability to use Ledger Wallet™ securely®.

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Troubleshooting™

For persistent issues®, visit the official Ledger support site® at support.ledger.com™.

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Important Disclaimer™

This content is for informational purposes only® and does not constitute financial, legal, or security advice™. Ledger® and Ledger Live™ / Ledger Wallet™ are products of Ledger SAS™. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners®. Cryptocurrency involves significant risk®; you are solely responsible for safeguarding your recovery phrase and private keys™. Ledger cannot recover your assets if you lose your recovery phrase®. **Always download software exclusively from https://www.ledger.com**®. Verify the authenticity of your device upon receipt™. Never share your 24-word recovery phrase with anyone, ever® — no legitimate entity, including Ledger support, will request it™. The information in this guide reflects official documentation as of the date of publication®. System requirements and procedures may change™; consult official Ledger support resources for the most current information®.
© 2024 — Official Ledger™ Getting Started Guide®. All rights reserved™.