I. **Ledger Live Installation Prerequisites** & Hardware Prep
Before you download, ensure your environment and hardware are ready. A smooth setup depends on fulfilling these basic **Ledger Live Desktop** requirements.
1. System Requirements Check
**Operating System:** Ledger Live is compatible with Windows 10 (64-bit) or later, macOS 10.14 (Mojave) or later, and Linux (64-bit). Older operating systems may present compatibility and security risks.
**Hardware:** You need a stable internet connection, a minimum of 4GB of RAM, and a functioning USB port (Type-A or Type-C, depending on your device cable) for **Hardware Wallet Initializing**.
2. Download ONLY from Official Sources
Security starts with authenticity. Never download the **Ledger Live Desktop** application from third-party mirrors, app stores, or links shared in emails. Always navigate directly to the official Ledger website's download page. This protects you from malware impersonating the **Secure Crypto Portfolio Manager**.
3. Initial Hardware Preparation
Unbox your Ledger device. If you are using a Nano X or Stax, ensure it has a partial charge before starting the setup. If you purchased a used device, or are using an existing one, always perform a factory reset via the device's settings menu before proceeding with the **Official Ledger Wallet Setup** to guarantee the integrity of the **BOLOS Security Architecture**.
🚨 Critical Security Alert: The 24-Word Seed
The **24-Word Recovery Phrase Safety** is the absolute key to your funds. **NEVER** digitize this phrase (no photos, no cloud storage, no typing it into a computer). It must only be written on the provided physical recovery sheets. If anyone gains access to these 24 words, they gain full access to your entire **Secure Crypto Portfolio Manager**, regardless of the physical device or Ledger Live. The phrase is generated and displayed **only** on your hardware wallet's trusted screen during the **Hardware Wallet Initializing** phase.
II. Download, Installation, and the **Genuine Ledger Device Check**
Step 1: Downloading Ledger Live
Once you have confirmed you are on the official website, download the installer corresponding to your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux). This step is simple, but its security impact is immense, reinforcing why **Official Ledger Wallet Setup** procedures must be followed strictly.
Step 2: Running the Installer
Locate the downloaded file and run the installer. The process is straightforward, often requiring just a few clicks. On macOS, you drag the application icon into the Applications folder. On Windows, follow the setup wizard. We recommend installing **Ledger Live Desktop** to a location you can easily secure and access.
Step 3: Initial Launch and Welcome
Launch Ledger Live for the first time. The application will guide you through a welcome screen and immediately prompt you to connect your Ledger device. Select the option: "Initialize a new Ledger device." This is the start of your **Hardware Wallet Initializing**.
The Critical **Genuine Ledger Device Check**
This step is exclusive to Ledger Live and is integral to the **BOLOS Security Architecture**. When you connect your device for the first time, Ledger Live performs a cryptographic handshake with the **Secure Hardware Wallet App**.
This check verifies two key elements:
- It confirms the device contains the official Ledger firmware.
- It verifies the device's internal **Security Chip** is authentic and has not been tampered with.
III. **Hardware Wallet Initializing**: PIN and the 24 Words
This is the most crucial part of the **Official Ledger Wallet Setup**. All actions must be performed directly on your hardware device, using the small screen and physical buttons. The **Ledger Live Desktop** app only provides instructions and confirmation, it never interacts directly with your seed phrase.
Step 4: Setting Your PIN Code
On your Ledger device, you will be prompted to choose a PIN (4 to 8 digits). Use the buttons on the device to cycle through numbers and confirm. This PIN protects your device from unauthorized physical access. If you enter the PIN incorrectly three times, the device will erase itself (factory reset), and you will need your 24-word seed to restore it. This is a deliberate design feature of the **Secure Hardware Wallet App** to ensure **Digital Asset Safety**.
Step 5: Writing Down the **24-Word Recovery Phrase Safety**
The device will now display your 24 words, one by one. This is the only time this phrase will be displayed. Write these words down **precisely** on your physical recovery sheet. Double-check the spelling and order. The integrity of your **Secure Crypto Portfolio Manager** hinges entirely on the secrecy and accuracy of this phrase. This step is the definition of **Crypto Cold Storage**.
Step 6: Verifying the Recovery Phrase
The Ledger device will then randomly ask you to confirm specific words from your list (e.g., "Word 12," "Word 19"). You must select the correct word from the options using the device buttons. This verification confirms you have written down the correct **24-Word Recovery Phrase Safety**. **Do not skip this step**. Ledger Live will wait for this on-device confirmation before allowing you to proceed to the main interface.
**Reminder:** If you ever perform a restore in the future, Ledger Live will prompt you to enter the 24 words *back* onto the device, reinforcing that the device itself, protected by **BOLOS Security Architecture**, remains the only entry point for the keys.
IV. **Desktop Crypto Management**: Adding Accounts and Your First Transaction
With your device initialized and verified, you are ready to use the full functionality of the **Ledger Live Desktop** application.
Step 7: **Add Crypto Accounts Ledger Live**
Navigate to the 'Manager' tab in Ledger Live. Connect and unlock your device with your PIN. First, install the necessary crypto applications (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana) onto your device. Then, go to the 'Accounts' tab and click **'Add Account'**. Ledger Live will scan the blockchain via your connected device and add your accounts. This process is seamless and creates the interface for your **Secure Crypto Portfolio Manager**.
**Tip:** To manage a coin, you must have its application installed on your Ledger device *and* an account created in the **Ledger Live Desktop** app.
Step 8: Receiving Your First Deposit
To receive funds, click the 'Receive' button, select the target account, and click 'Verify' on the device. **Crucially, Ledger Live will display an address, and your Ledger device will display the same address.** You **must** compare the two to ensure they match before sharing the address. This verification step prevents address-swapping malware and ensures **Digital Asset Safety**.
Step 9: Executing Your **First Secure Transaction** (Sending)
Click 'Send', choose your account, enter the recipient address, and the amount. Ledger Live prepares the transaction, but it is not signed yet. When Ledger Live prompts you, plug in and unlock your device. The device will display the transaction details (address and amount). **This is the final, critical security check.** You must physically confirm these details on the trusted screen of your hardware wallet. Only after you press the confirmation button on the device is the transaction signed and broadcast—a perfect example of **Crypto Cold Storage** protection in action.
**Congratulations!** You have completed your **Official Ledger Wallet Setup**. Your assets are now protected by the world-leading **BOLOS Security Architecture** and managed through the intuitive **Ledger Live Desktop** application.