A developer-friendly, presentation-style guide to getting started with Ledger Live and integrating secure hardware wallet flows into your apps.
Ledger Live is Ledger's official desktop and mobile application that lets users manage their crypto assets, install and remove apps on the device, check balances, and perform secure transactions. For developers, the Ledger Developer Portal provides APIs, SDKs, and documentation to integrate Ledger hardware and Ledger Live features into third‑party apps or services.
Create or sign in to your Ledger developer account to get API keys, follow SDK releases, and access integration guides. Bookmark the official portal for quick reference.
Node.js (LTS recommended) or other runtime for back-end tasks, plus your preferred front-end framework. Many Ledger SDKs provide Node packages and TypeScript typings for faster integration.
Power on the device, choose to set up as new or recover from seed, write down the recovery phrase carefully (never digitize), and install Ledger Live on your test machine. The official Ledger pages contain the verified installers and checksums — always use the official links to avoid tampered software.
When building integrations, you will rely on a combination of:
Third-party apps that want to integrate with Ledger Live or interact with devices may need to register a manifest and be whitelisted depending on the actions they perform. Each platform (desktop/mobile) may have different requirements. Consult the official developer documentation and follow the manifest schema strictly.
Create a deterministic flow with clear steps: prepare transaction data on the server/client, request signature from the device, wait for user confirmation on the physical device, and broadcast the transaction. Never expose raw private keys — the device holds them and performs signatures inside secure hardware.
Run unit tests and manual tests with testnets and small-value transactions. Use Ledger's test materials and emulators where available to simulate device interactions and edge cases such as cancelled operations or timeouts.
Use clear language to instruct users when to interact with the device (e.g., "Confirm the transaction on your Ledger device"). Use progress indicators and fallback guidance if the device is not detected.
Handle typical device errors such as USB permission issues, user rejection, timeouts, and firmware mismatches. Provide actionable messages and links back to the official troubleshooting pages.
Users manage accounts inside Ledger Live. Your app delegates signing to Ledger Live via the official bridge APIs. This pattern minimizes handling of secrets in your app.
For specialized dApps, you may implement a companion interface that talks to the Ledger device directly (via WebUSB or a backend relay) while ensuring users confirm transactions on the hardware device.
Never host private keys — this centralizes risk. If you must provide custodial services, implement best-in-class HSMs, audits, and compliance processes, and make the trade-offs transparent to users.
// pseudo-code - refer to the official SDK for exact API
import TransportNodeHid from "@ledgerhq/hw-transport-node-hid";
import AppCrypto from "@ledgerhq/hw-app-eth"; // example for Ethereum
async function signTx(unsignedTx) {
const transport = await TransportNodeHid.create();
const app = new AppCrypto(transport);
const result = await app.signTransaction("44'/60'/0'/0/0", unsignedTx);
await transport.close();
return result;
}
Always match the code to the latest packages and consult the official SDK pages for exact usage and versioning. Links below point to the developer portal for up-to-date libraries and examples.
Ledger regularly updates firmware, Ledger Live, and SDKs. Follow the official developer portal and release notes. Subscribe to the developer updates where available to be notified about breaking changes.
Collect the minimum user data necessary. Avoid storing transaction metadata longer than required. When storing logs for debugging, scrub or anonymize anything that could identify private key material or user recovery information.
Depending on your product model, consult legal counsel about custody, KYC/AML obligations, and cross-jurisdictional constraints. Hardware wallets reduce custody risk but do not eliminate legal obligations tied to services you offer.
Tip: Always verify you are on the official domains listed above before downloading installers or entering recovery data.