Features & workflow
Ledger Live Desktop focuses on three pillars: security, clarity, and control. Security is achieved by keeping private keys within the Ledger hardware device at all times. Clarity is served via human-readable transaction descriptions and consistent UX that reduces the likelihood of accidental mistakes. Control comes from granular account management, the ability to install and remove coin apps on the device, and exporting transaction histories for audits or tax reporting.
During a typical flow, Ledger Live will detect your Ledger device when connected via USB (or supported bridge). The app will query device state, list available accounts, and allow you to prepare a transaction. When you initiate a send, the app composes the transaction and sends the signing request to the device. The device displays the destination, amount, and fees; you confirm using the physical buttons. This model minimizes risk — even if the host is compromised, attackers cannot force the device to sign a transaction without your explicit approval.
Ledger Live Desktop also integrates firmware updates, but these should be installed only after verifying release notes and publisher signatures. Use the official download page for installers and checksums, and consider verifying signatures where available. For teams, adopt procedural controls: require dual approvals for large withdrawals, keep recovery seeds in secure multi-location storage, and run periodic audits of machine and firmware state.
For advanced users, Ledger Live supports export formats and command-line tooling to embed the desktop app into larger operational workflows. It plays well with multi-signature arrangements, cold-signing workflows, and enterprise asset management tools, provided you maintain strict access controls and recovery protocols.