Overview: why integrate with Ledger Live?
Integrating with Ledger Live gives your product secure, hardware-backed UX hooks into millions of users who manage assets with Ledger hardware wallets (Ledger signers). A proper integration enables on-device signing, account sync, discoverability through Live Apps, and distribution via Ledger's curated channels — all while letting private keys remain on the signer device.
What integration surfaces are available
There are three common integration surfaces you’ll encounter: Account / chain integration (add a blockchain or token to be displayed and used in Ledger Live), the Wallet API / Live App surface for embedding dApps inside Discover (Live Apps), and service provider integrations such as Buy / Swap / Exchange SDKs. Choose the surface that matches your UX and compliance needs.
Architecture & core patterns
Separation of concerns
Keep the signing flow isolated: Ledger signers handle key operations, Ledger Wallet (the app) handles account sync and UX scaffolding, and your backend or front-end handles business logic. Use JSON-RPC endpoints only where needed and keep sensitive flows anchored to the signer.
Typical flow (high level)
- User opens Ledger Wallet (formerly Ledger Live) and selects your integrated service.
- The app requests account(s) and displays balances via the Ledger Wallet accounts layer.
- When a transaction needs signing, the request is passed to the signer for user confirmation.
- Your app receives the signed payload and broadcasts it to the network.
Wallet API & Live Apps (practical)
The Wallet API client is the main entrypoint for Live Apps — it provides framework-agnostic hooks (e.g., React hooks and utilities) so your embedded app can interact with Ledger signers and the Ledger Wallet environment. If you’re building a Live App, follow the Wallet API patterns and the Live App manifest conventions for discovery and installation.
Building a Live App — checklist
- Use the Wallet API client to detect and connect to the signer.
- Support account mapping to the Ledger Wallet accounts model.
- Implement clear on-device messages for every signing step (avoid ambiguous payloads).
- Test on all supported devices and platforms (desktop & mobile).
Service integrations: Exchange / Buy / Swap
Ledger Live supports integrating service providers through well-defined SDKs and provider interfaces. As an exchange or swap provider you’ll typically implement provider endpoints and test flows that verify quoting, KYC/AML handling (if required), and the signing lifecycle that involves the user's signer.
Testing & compliance
Test in staging mode with real-like accounts and use Ledger’s testing guides for Buy/Swap providers. Ensure your flows are resilient to network errors and provide clear error reporting back to the user. Prepare documentation and deliverables for submission (installation & setup instructions, supported assets, and testing steps).
Submission & publication
Ledger requires documentation and a set of deliverables when you submit an app or integration. This typically includes a short introduction, installation steps, requirements, and testing instructions. Follow the submission checklist closely — it speeds review and reduces back-and-forth.
Security & UX best practices
Minimal surface, explicit consent
Request only the minimal permissions your integration needs. Always present information on the device for signing: amounts, recipient addresses, and fees. Make sure device messages are short, precise, and human readable.
Error handling
When a signing fails, provide actionable messages and a safe fall-back path. Log enough telemetry on your server to debug issues (but never log private keys or full signatures in plaintext).
Developer resources — 10 official links
Below are 10 official Ledger Developer Portal links (click to open). I’ve styled them so you can drop this list into any blog or docs page and it will look polished.
FAQ — quick answers
Do I need a Ledger device to develop?
For most signing flows you’ll want access to a physical signer (device). Developer mode and emulation flows can help while you iterate, but physical device testing is critical for UX and security verification.
How long does review take?
Review times vary. Follow the submission checklist, include clear docs and test instructions, and the process goes faster.