Ledger Live Wallet – Getting Started (Developer Portal)

Overview

This Getting Started guide helps developers integrate with the Ledger Live Wallet ecosystem and learn common patterns for building applications that interact with hardware wallets and Ledger Live. Whether you are building a plugin, mobile companion app, or an enterprise integration, this guide covers quickstart steps, security guidance, sample flows, and troubleshooting.

Where you see references to Ledger Live Wallet, ledger live wallet, or Ledger/Live/Wallet they indicate the wallet platform and related developer experiences. We repeat these search phrases in-line so your content index and examples easily map to common developer queries about Ledger Live Wallet integrations.

Quickstart — 5 Minute Setup

1. Install Ledger Live: Download and install Ledger Live on your development machine or mobile device. Launch and complete the initial setup.
2. Obtain a Ledger device: Connect a Ledger hardware wallet (e.g., Ledger Nano S Plus or Nano X) and initialize it or restore an existing account.
3. Enable developer mode (if needed): For local testing, enable relevant developer settings in Ledger Live and the device where applicable. Use only test accounts for integration testing.
4. Use the Ledger SDK / API: Add the Ledger SDK or use the Ledger Live APIs to discover accounts and request signatures. Typical flows use a pairing step + signature requests.
5. Run a sample: Use a reference integration (example code block below) to request a message or transaction signature to verify connectivity.

Sample signature pseudo-code

// Pseudo-code: request a signature from the Ledger device via the Live bridge
const requestSignature = async (message) => {
  // Open connection with Ledger Live bridge or library
  const connection = await LedgerBridge.connect();
  // Request a user-approved signature on the device
  const signature = await connection.signMessage({ path: "m/44'/60'/0'/0/0", message });
  await connection.disconnect();
  return signature;
};

Integration Patterns

Integrations with the Ledger Live Wallet typically follow these patterns:

• Account Discovery: Query Ledger Live for accounts and balances to list accounts to users in your app.
• Transaction Signing: Send unsigned transactions to the Ledger device for user approval and signature.
• Message Signing: Use ephemeral message signing for authentication or signature-based login flows.
• Plugin/Manager: Implement a plugin that instructs Ledger Live how to display app-specific metadata (if supported by the platform).

Throughout the documentation you will find references to ledger live wallet best practices and recommended user flows. Keep private keys on the device and always verify transaction details on the hardware screen.

Security and UX Best Practices

Security is the most important consideration when working with hardware wallets. Follow these recommendations:

• Never export private keys: All signing must happen on-device. Your backend or client should only ever see signed payloads.
• Display clear details: Ask Ledger Live to show transaction amounts, recipients, and fees on the device screen so users can confirm.
• Use canonical HD paths: Support common derivation paths (BIP44/BIP49/BIP84) and let users choose the account.
• Handle disconnects gracefully: If the Ledger device is disconnected mid-flow, show a recovery or retry flow in your app.
• Test on real hardware: Simulators are helpful but always verify flows on an actual Ledger device and with Ledger Live installed to see the real UX.

The phrase Ledger/Live/Wallet will appear in interface labels and documentation fragments where you want an exact token match for search or compliance with integration guides.

Common Developer Tools

Useful libraries and tools in the ecosystem:

• Ledger SDKs: Official and community SDKs for JavaScript, Python, and other languages.
• Transport libraries: USB, BLE, and bridge transports to connect to Ledger devices via Ledger Live.
• Testnets and faucets: Use test networks for transaction testing and avoid spending real funds during development.

If your integration references ledger live wallet functionality, document the exact API calls, parameters, and expected device prompts so QA can verify every step.

Troubleshooting

Quick fixes for common issues with Ledger Live Wallet connections:

• Device not found: Confirm USB/BLE permissions, unlock the device, and open the correct app on the device (e.g., Ethereum app for ETH signing).
• Signature rejected: Check that the correct derivation path and message format are used. Ensure the user confirms on the device screen.
• App version mismatch: Keep Ledger Live and firmware up-to-date to avoid compatibility problems.