Ledger® Live Desktop — Secure Beginner's Walkthrough

Welcome — what this guide covers

Ledger Live Desktop® secure Beginner's Walkthrough explains, in plain language, how to safely download Ledger Live Desktop, set up your Ledger device, and complete your first secure transaction. If you're new to hardware wallets, this guide helps you feel confident.

Step 1 — Download from the official source

Visit Ledger's official site to download Ledger Live Desktop for your OS. Ledger publishes checksums and signatures so you can verify the installer — do this before you run the file. Ledger's support article provides direct links and instructions for Windows, macOS and Linux installers. :contentReference[oaicite:30]{index=30}

Step 2 — Initialize your Ledger device

Power on the hardware device and follow on-device prompts to set a PIN and create a recovery phrase. Important: write the recovery phrase on the supplied card and store it physically — never take a picture or type it into a device. The Ledger "Start" guide explains the initialization steps. :contentReference[oaicite:31]{index=31}

Step 3 — Open Ledger Live and add accounts

Once Ledger Live is installed and your device is unlocked, add accounts (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum). Ledger Live reads public account data and displays balances. When sending crypto, confirm every transaction on the device screen before approving — this ensures the signed transaction matches what you expect.

Step 4 — Stay safe from scams

If anything requests your 24-word recovery phrase, close the app and assume it's malicious. Recent reporting shows fake Ledger installers circulating — always verify the signature and source domain (ledger.com). If in doubt, consult Ledger Support or the Ledger Blog for official updates. :contentReference[oaicite:32]{index=32}

Additional beginner tips

• Use a new USB cable included with the device when possible. • Keep your PC OS updated and avoid suspicious downloads while performing wallet operations. • For small tests, send a tiny amount first to confirm addresses and flows.

Official resources

• Getting started & support: support.ledger.com. :contentReference[oaicite:33]{index=33}
• Ledger blog & announcements: Ledger Blog. :contentReference[oaicite:34]{index=34}

Ledger Live Desktop® secure Beginner's Walkthrough — follow the steps above and rely on official Ledger resources for downloads and troubleshooting.

Troubleshooting quick FAQ

Q: Ledger Live won't detect my device.
A: Confirm device is unlocked, try another USB port/cable, close other wallet apps, and ensure Ledger Live is up-to-date. See Ledger Support for device connection issues. :contentReference[oaicite:35]{index=35}

Q: I'm asked for my recovery phrase.
A: NEVER provide it. Ledger or any legitimate service will never ask for your seed words. This is a scam pattern widely reported in the wild. :contentReference[oaicite:36]{index=36}