Begin your journey with Ledger’s secure wallet ecosystem
Welcome to the Official Site® guide for Ledger Live Desktop — your secure portal into the Ledger world. This Getting Started®® documentation helps you understand how to access the platform, how to use Ledger Login, and how the Ledger Suite integrates with the hardware wallet ecosystem. If you're new, you’ll use Ledger.io/start or Ledger Io Start to initialize and access your account. Let’s begin.
Ledger Live Desktop is the heart of your hardware-based wallet experience. It connects your Ledger Hardware Wallet to your computer, enabling you to manage crypto, update firmware, and integrate with services. Unlike pure software wallets, Ledger Live ensures your private keys remain isolated on your physical device.
Open your browser and go to Ledger.io/start. This directs you to download the latest version of Ledger Live for your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux). Always confirm you’re on the official site to avoid phishing attempts.
After download, run the installer and launch Ledger Live Desktop. Upon first launch, accept Terms and Conditions and then select *Create a new wallet* or *Restore from recovery phrase*.
Connect your Ledger device (Nano S, Nano X, etc.). You’ll be prompted to choose a PIN and write down the recovery phrase. These steps guarantee your private keys never leave the hardware wallet.
Once the device is ready, Ledger Live will prompt you to create a Ledger Login — your access credential to the Ledger Suite and related services. This login is securely tied to your device and can be used across apps within the Ledger ecosystem.
To interact with web-based decentralized applications (dApps) or use browser extensions, Ledger Bridge acts as a secure intermediary. It connects your Ledger Hardware Wallet to in-browser dApps via the Ledger Live Desktop backend.
If Ledger Live cannot detect your device, ensure USB debugging is off, cable is good, and mitochondria drivers (on Windows) are installed. Try another USB port if needed.
Ledger Suite is a bundled environment of tools, apps, and integrations that complement Ledger Live. It includes advanced security features, analytics dashboards, partner applications, and more.
Within the Suite, you might find:
Your Ledger Login credentials act as a unified authentication across all Suite components. Once logged in through Ledger Live, you gain seamless access to all services in the suite without repeated logins.
The Suite retains high-security standards: private keys remain on the hardware wallet, communications use encrypted channels, and every transaction requires physical confirmation using your device.
Ledger Bridge is essential when you want to interact with decentralized apps in your browser (e.g. DeFi, NFTs) while preserving full security. Instead of exposing keys in browser memory, Bridge relays approved actions to Ledger Live Desktop, which in turn talks to your hardware device.
When a dApp requests a transaction, Ledger Bridge prompts Ledger Live Desktop to show a confirmation prompt. You verify and approve the transaction on your physical device. Bridge ensures the browser never touches the private key or sensitive data.
Ledger Bridge supports major browsers (Chrome, Edge, Brave, Firefox) and works alongside wallet extensions. Always ensure you have the latest Bridge module and correct permissions.
Only grant Bridge access on trusted sites. Close Bridge when not in use. Confirm each transaction on your device carefully.
Visiting Ledger.io/start in your browser leads you to the official download pages for Ledger Live Desktop. From there, you can download the correct installer for your operating system and follow instructions to install and launch the app.
Ledger Login is your credential used across the Ledger ecosystem (Ledger Live, Ledger Suite, partner apps). It links your identity to your device securely, so you don’t need separate logins for each service.
Ledger Bridge acts as a secure middleware between a web browser (dApp) and Ledger Live Desktop. When a transaction or request arises, Bridge forwards it to Ledger Live, which asks your physical hardware to approve the action. The browser never handles private keys.
Ledger Hardware Wallet supports many major blockchains (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.) via apps installed in Ledger Live Desktop. However, some tokens or chains may require external integrations or plugins. Always check compatibility via the official site.
While Ledger Live Desktop is your core wallet management app, Ledger Suite refers to the extended suite of tools and integrations (analytics, partner apps, enterprise modules). Ledger Live is the central hub; the Suite adds enhanced functionalities around it.