Introduction
Ledger® Live is the companion application to Ledger hardware wallets, providing an interface for managing accounts, sending/receiving assets, installing apps, and connecting with third-party applications. This guide is crafted for developers and technical integrators who need both a practical onboarding walkthrough and quick access to official resources.
Who this is for
This article targets developers building wallet integrations, dApp engineers testing UX flows, QA professionals, and technical writers who must document Ledger Live interactions. If you're integrating with Ledger Connect, building an app that triggers user flows inside Ledger Live, or verifying transaction signing flows, these steps are essential.
Before you begin
Prerequisites
- A Ledger hardware device (Nano S Plus, Nano X, etc.) with the latest firmware.
- Ledger Live desktop or mobile app installed and updated.
- A development environment for your dApp or integration (node.js, local HTTPS endpoint, etc.).
- Familiarity with the fundamentals of account derivation (BIP32 / BIP44), signing request/response patterns, and transport protocols (WebUSB / USB HID / Bluetooth).
Security reminder
Never share recovery phrases, private keys, or device passphrases. During testing, use testnet assets or small amounts to verify flows—never send mainnet funds unless the flow is production-ready and audited.
Step 1 — Install Ledger Live
Install Ledger Live from an official source and choose the correct platform (macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android). Launch the app and complete the initial setup steps: create or restore a wallet, set a PIN, and install the device-specific firmware if prompted.
Desktop vs Mobile
Desktop Ledger Live provides richer developer tooling for direct USB interactions; mobile is convenient for Bluetooth-enabled devices and end-user testing. Choose the platform that matches your integration type.
Step 2 — Set up a Ledger device
Create or restore
If you're onboarding a new device, follow the device prompts to create a PIN and record your recovery phrase offline. For CI or automated test setups, use a dedicated hardware device reserved for testing—never use a developer device for production keys.
Install apps
From Ledger Live’s Manager, install the blockchain-specific apps (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum). Each app exposes APDU command support and handles derivation/signing for that family.
Step 3 — Connecting Ledger Live with your app
Transport methods
Ledger Live supports multiple transports for communicating with hardware devices: USB HID, WebUSB (in browsers that support it), and Bluetooth. When building integrations, detect available transports and gracefully fall back between them.
Common integration flow
- Detect device connection and transport availability.
- Request account discovery and show user-friendly derivation options.
- Compose the transaction payload and present clear human-readable details.
- Send signing request to the device; wait for user confirmation on device screen.
- Collect the signed response and broadcast to the network.
Developer tips
UX and messaging
Always show the user the exact details they will see on the device screen (amount, recipient address, fees). Device screens are small—short, precise labels reduce user error.
Testing strategies
Automate integration tests with hardware where possible, but keep manual test steps for UI flows that require human confirmation. Use testnet funds and test addresses for repeated runs.
Logging and privacy
Never log sensitive payloads in production. During local development, ensure logs are ephemeral and never sent to third-party telemetry systems that could store private keys or recovery data.
Troubleshooting
Common issues
- Device not detected: check USB permissions (especially on Linux), ensure Ledger Live or competing apps aren’t blocking access.
- App not installed on device: use Ledger Live Manager to install the proper blockchain app.
- Signing fails: validate payload formats, derivation paths, and that the correct app is open on the device at sign time.
Support channels
Use official Ledger documentation and support channels for firmware, subscription, or device-specific issues. For integration-specific development questions, consult the Ledger Developer Portal and API docs.
Official resources (10 links)
Below are the official resources you’ll likely use frequently. Each link is styled for clarity and emphasis.
Sample code snippet
Here's a minimal pseudo-example for initiating a device connection and requesting address discovery (platform-agnostic pseudo-code):
// Pseudo-code: request device, get accounts
async function connectAndDiscover() {
const transport = await Transport.create(); // WebUSB / HID / Bluetooth
const app = new LedgerApp(transport);
const accounts = await app.getAccounts({coin: 'ethereum', start: 0, count: 5});
return accounts; // array with address/derivation info
}Next steps for developers
After you’ve completed basic flows, explore deeper topics: transaction batching, custom transaction serialization, U2F/WebAuthn for bridging authentication flows, and Ledger Connect for seamless dApp connections.
Security review & audits
Before releasing, conduct security reviews and, where appropriate, engage third-party auditors to verify transaction construction and signing flows do not expose users to replay attacks or ambiguous UX that could enable social-engineering attacks.
Conclusion
Ledger Live bridges the secure, air-gapped world of hardware signing with the convenience of modern wallets and dApps. As a developer, prioritize user clarity and device compatibility: present exactly what the device will display, minimize unfamiliar prompts, and lean on the official Ledger resources linked above. With careful design and exhaustive testing, you can build integrations that are both secure and delightful for users.