Introduction: Why integrate with Ledger Live?
Ledger Live is the official companion application for Ledger hardware wallets — it’s where millions of users manage accounts, swap tokens, access services, and discover integrated apps. Integrating with Ledger Live gives your project secure UX hooks into Ledger’s ecosystem: on-device signing, account display, Live Apps embedding, and trusted distribution routes. The Developer Portal hosts the docs, SDKs, and submission paths to make that integration smooth.
Who should read this
This guide is for protocol teams, third-party wallet builders, Live App creators, and device-app developers who want a clear path from architecture to go-live inside Ledger Live. Whether you’re enabling chain support in "Accounts", adding a Live App in "Discover", or shipping a device app that runs on BOLOS — this article covers the key concepts and a practical workflow.
Core integration paths
1. Accounts / Blockchain integration (Accounts)
Accounts integration exposes wallets and balances in the Accounts tab inside Ledger Live. This path is appropriate when your network needs users to see on-device accounts, view balances and histories, and sign protocol transactions via the Ledger device. Typical steps include building a device app (if low-level signing is required), creating account indexers & block explorers, and preparing the submission packet so Ledger can review security and UX.
2. Live Apps (Discover)
Live Apps are web-based experiences embedded in Ledger Live's Discover section. They are ideal for dApps, custodial services, DeFi dashboards, NFT galleries, or any service that benefits from a direct, secure launcher inside Ledger Live. Live Apps rely on the Ledger Services Kit / wallet API and must implement secure flows for device connection (pairing through the Wallet API) and transaction signing.
3. Device Apps (on-device firmware/apps)
Device Apps are compiled applications that run on Ledger hardware under BOLOS. They’re required for networks whose signatures are performed at the firmware level, or that require specialized app-level UX on the device. Developing a device app involves using the Ledger SDK, compiling with the right BOLOS version, thorough device testing, and following the deliverables checklist before submission.
- Decide integration path: Accounts / Live App / Device App.
- Confirm security model (on-device signing vs. remote signing).
- Use the Ledger SDK & follow submission deliverables.
- Test on supported devices and enable developer mode in Ledger Live during QA.
Technical foundations & tooling
BOLOS — the secure core
BOLOS (Blockchain Open Ledger Operating System) is Ledger’s custom secure operating environment that isolates apps on the device and mediates access to the secure element. When you write a device app you target BOLOS syscalls and libraries; the goal is minimal attack surface while maintaining usability for transaction review and signing flows.
Ledger SDKs & repositories
Ledger provides SDKs and example repositories (C / Rust / JS) that demonstrate device app APIs, simulators, and build flows. Use the SDK matching your target device and BOLOS release. The GitHub SDKs include build scripts and examples for common signature schemes. Maintain pinned SDK versions for reproducibility — device apps built against mismatched SDK/BOLOS versions may fail review.
Ledger Services Kit & Wallet API
Live Apps commonly use the Ledger Services Kit and Wallet API to connect securely to Ledger Live. The Wallet API exposes a controlled channel that allows a Live App to request account info, prepare transactions, and trigger authorization requests — which users must confirm on their device. Always design flows that keep the private key strictly on the device and display human-readable transaction summaries for review.
WalletConnect & external dApp connectivity
Ledger also supports WalletConnect in Ledger Live, enabling standard dApp connection flows. WalletConnect bridges mobile/desktop dApps to wallets securely — when integrated correctly, Ledger Live acts like a secure wallet that can sign transactions while keeping private keys on the device.
UX & security best practices
Device confirmation — explicit is safe
Always provide explicit, readable transaction summaries on the host UI so the device confirms intent. Ledger’s UX principle is that the device screen must display the critical details that the user verifies physically — any integration that hides or obfuscates transaction content risks rejection.
Fail-safe flows & timeouts
Implement idempotent operations and clear failure states. If a signing operation is cancelled, ensure the Live App or wallet shows the user exact next steps. Test under latency and reconnection scenarios (USB, BLE, OTG) to guarantee graceful UX.
Permission minimization
Request only the account / scope required for the operation. Avoid broad read/write scopes when a narrow scope will suffice. Ledger reviewers pay attention to scope creep and will flag over-privileged flows.
Submission & review process
When you’re ready to submit, follow the Developer Portal’s submission flow. For Accounts & Device Apps you’ll prepare a deliverables bundle (documentation, test vectors, binary/artifacts, integration tests). For Live Apps, provide a secure hosting URL, manifest, and privacy/security statements. Ledger’s team reviews security, UX, and compatibility before authorizing distribution inside Ledger Live.
Documentation deliverables
The submission checklist typically includes a short introduction, installation & setup guides, transaction examples, supported asset lists, required permissions, and a troubleshooting section. Clear docs speed up review cycles — include device test steps and exact BOLOS/SDK versions used.
Legal & agreements
Ledger may require agreements for certain integrations (especially account-level integrations). Don’t start code work before you’ve confirmed the right legal/partner path on the Developer Portal — initiating development too early can lead to rework if conditions change.
Testing strategies
Local developer mode
Enable Ledger Live’s Developer mode during integration QA to access debug tools, local hosting, and advanced logs. This mode unlocks the Developer tab and can help you iterate on Live Apps quickly while keeping production distribution locked until review.
CI / automated testing
Add end-to-end test suites that simulate device interactions where possible (emulators, hardware-in-the-loop). Include unit tests for serialization/parsing and canonical transaction vectors to avoid signature mismatches.
Beta rollouts
Use staged releases and a small beta cohort to uncover edge cases: network reorgs, nonstandard gas/fee structures, contract interactions, and devices with older BOLOS versions. Monitor for errors and user-reported issues before pushing a global Ledger Live entry.
Monetization & service models
Integrations can be purely tooling (free), service-based (fees for swaps/bridges), or commercial partnerships (co-branded experiences). Ledger’s Partners program and Supported Services list provide formal channels for resellers, integrations, and co-marketing. Work with Ledger’s partner teams for promotional placement in Ledger Live’s Discover.
Real-world examples & case studies
Ledger Live has onboarded multiple networks, services, and dApps — from staking providers to NFT galleries. Each successful integration adhered to the same principles: keep the private key on the device, provide transparent UX for confirmations, and deliver thorough test artifacts during submission.
Developer resources (quick links)
Checklist before you submit
- Pin SDK & BOLOS versions in your repo.
- Document installation & test steps.
- Provide signed test vectors and examples.
- Confirm legal/partner requirements for Accounts integrations.
- Run device UX review: ensure critical fields appear on-device.
- Plan a staged beta and monitoring for the first 30 days.
Conclusion — integrate thoughtfully, ship securely
Ledger Live is a strong distribution channel and UX layer for secure crypto interactions. Integrating with it requires attention to device UX, security practices, and thorough documentation — but the payoff is access to a large, security-focused user base. Start with the Developer Portal, align on the right integration path (Accounts, Live Apps, or Device Apps), follow the submission guidance, and iterate with developer mode & testers until you pass Ledger’s review.
Author note
This article is a practical, implementation-focused overview. Always consult the official Ledger Developer Portal for the most up-to-date policy and submission requirements before development.