Introduction
If you’re building Web3 apps, wallets, or integrations that interact with users’ private keys, Ledger® is a key partner. Ledger® Live is the flagship application for managing assets, while the Ledger Developer Portal provides documentation, SDKs, and submission guidelines so your app can be integrated and trusted by Ledger users.
Why use Ledger® for your project?
Hardware wallets isolate private keys in secure elements and are the gold standard for custody. Integrating with Ledger® increases user trust, reduces attack surface, and unlocks millions of potential users who already own Ledger devices.
Quick overview
- Ledger® Live / Ledger Wallet™ — user-facing app for managing assets and apps.
- Developer Portal — docs, tools, app submission & SDKs.
- Security — hardware-backed signing, genuine checks, and recovery guidance.
Setup: Ledger® Live & hardware
1. Install Ledger® Live
Start by downloading Ledger® Live from the official Ledger site or following the support guide for desktop/mobile installation and genuine-check steps. Ledger® provides platform installers and explicit guidance for macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android.
Pro tip
Always download Ledger® Live from the official domain — never from third-party mirrors. Fake apps have been used in phishing campaigns; verifying the signature and genuine-check reduces risk.
2. Initialize or connect a device
Use a Ledger hardware device (Nano S Plus, Nano X, Stax, Gen5, etc.) and follow the on-device prompts to set a PIN and generate a recovery phrase. For development, you can use testnets and apps provided by Ledger to avoid moving mainnet funds.
Developer Portal: Tools & docs
The Ledger Developer Portal is the center for everything you need as a developer: documentation on device app submission, APIs, SDKs, and integration examples.
Key resources you'll use
How to integrate: practical steps
1. Choose your integration model
Decide whether you'll integrate at the wallet level (e.g., interact with Ledger Live APIs) or at the dApp level (connect with Web3 libraries and have users confirm transactions on their device). The developer portal and GitHub contain examples for both flows.
2. Use official SDKs & examples
Clone the Ledger SDKs from the official GitHub, follow device app creation guides and the app submission checklist when you’re ready to publish. Test on testnets, validate genuine-check flows, and implement network/timeouts sensibly to handle device behavior.
Developer checklist (short)
- Follow the submission deliverables in the developer docs.
- Write clear user-facing messages for on-device prompts.
- Use the genuine-check flow to confirm device authenticity.
- Test on multiple Ledger devices & firmware versions.
Security best practices
Security is the primary reason users choose Ledger. Respect it:
Do
- Never ask users for their recovery phrase.
- Use on-device signing whenever possible.
- Verify transaction details on-device and display clear human-readable info.
Don't
- Store private keys off-device.
- Encourage users to enter seed phrases anywhere.
Deploy & submit: publishing your Ledger app
When your integration or device app is ready, follow the app submission process on the developer portal with the required deliverables (documentation, binaries, test plans). Ledger’s review process ensures user protection and quality before apps are made available to Ledger users.
After launch
Monitor analytics, user feedback and security reports. Keep the app up-to-date with device firmware changes and platform updates published in the developer docs and Ledger’s blog.
Conclusion
Integrating with Ledger® provides strong security guarantees and a path to reach a large, security-conscious user base. Use the official docs, SDKs, and the app submission guidelines from Ledger’s Developer Portal to build safely and effectively.
Official links (10)
Direct links to Ledger resources — always prefer these over third-party downloads.
Sample minimal HTML snippet (for devs)
<!-- Show "Connect Ledger" button and open WebHID/WebUSB flow -->
<button id="connectLedger">Connect Ledger</button>
<script>
document.getElementById('connectLedger').addEventListener('click', async () => {
try {
// Example using @ledgerhq/hw-transport-webusb
const TransportWebUSB = (await import('@ledgerhq/hw-transport-webusb')).default;
const transport = await TransportWebUSB.create();
console.log('Connected to Ledger device', transport);
// Then use @ledgerhq/hw-app-eth or other libs to sign...
} catch (err) {
console.error('Ledger connection failed', err);
alert('Unable to connect to Ledger. Check browser permissions and device.');
}
});
</script>
This example is illustrative. Always follow the latest SDK usage patterns from Ledger's official GitHub and Developer Portal.