Audience: Developers and integrators building apps, integrations, or automations that interact with Ledger Live or Ledger devices. This guide covers installation, security best practices, developer workflows, and links to official resources.
Ledger Live is the official desktop and mobile wallet that manages hardware wallet interactions, account management, and transaction signing. For developers, Ledger Live is both a user-facing wallet and a bridge to hardware-level security — offering predictable UX, secure transaction flows, and integrations for third-party apps through well-documented APIs.
Grab Ledger Live from the official site and verify the checksum/signature before running installers. Never use third-party mirrors for the installer — always reference the official pages below.
Run the installer for your OS (Windows/macOS/Linux). During initial setup you can create a new wallet or restore an existing one using your recovery phrase. For development environments, you may opt for a separate profile or ephemeral accounts to avoid test data mixing with production funds.
Use a USB cable (or Bluetooth for compatible models) to connect. Approve prompts on the device when asked to allow manager access or to confirm transactions.
Install the chain-specific apps (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, etc.) on your device using Ledger Live's Manager. Keep a separate test device or test account where possible.
The Ledger Developer Portal contains SDKs, CLI tools, and documentation for building integrations and applications. Start here when planning an integration and follow recommended security patterns provided by Ledger.
When developing, isolate keys and use testnets. Combine Ledger's device checks with network-level simulators (e.g., local blockchain nodes or public testnets) to validate transaction flows before moving to mainnet.
Ledger provides multiple SDKs and command-line tools for interacting with devices. Use official packages to enumerate devices, sign messages, and perform firmware checks programmatically. For production integrations, always pin SDK versions and test migration paths.
// pseudocode
const device = await ledger.connect();
await device.checkFirmware();
const payload = buildTransaction(...);
const signature = await device.sign(payload);
submitToNetwork(signature);
Security is the primary reason to use hardware wallets. Still, developer mistakes can create vulnerabilities. Follow these rules:
For consumer-facing apps that call into Ledger Live or the device, keep prompts short and explicit. Display human-readable transaction details, and let the device act as the final arbiter. If you build a companion app, follow Ledger's UX patterns for confirmation and error states.
Detect and surface common device states: locked device, outdated firmware, missing chain app, or canceled confirmations. Provide clear remediation steps.
Include device tests in CI where possible, but avoid storing secrets. Use emulators/simulators or a dedicated test device for automated signing tests. When automating, add rate limits and human checks for high-value transactions.
Below are 10 official Ledger links to use as references. Each pill is styled for quick visual scanning.