Overview 🔍
Welcome to the official Ledger Wallet® Developer Portal where you'll find everything you need to start integrating and managing your Ledger account securely and effectively. This comprehensive guide walks you through getting started with your Ledger device and account, integrating Ledger features into your apps, understanding best security practices, and leveraging developer tools designed specifically for the Ledger ecosystem.
The Ledger Wallet is a state-of-the-art hardware wallet designed to safeguard your crypto assets offline with the highest level of security. Whether you're a developer building blockchain apps, a company integrating Ledger authentication, or a crypto user managing assets, this portal provides versatile information tailored to your needs.
“Control your keys, control your crypto®.”
Setup 🛠️
Starting your Ledger Wallet® and account requires a series of straightforward steps that ensure your device is ready to securely store your private keys and transact safely. Here’s the complete walkthrough:
1️⃣ Unbox & Inspect Your Device
First, confirm that your Ledger device arrives in its original packaging, with tamper-evident seals intact. Inside you’ll find the device, a USB cable, recovery sheets, and setup instructions.
2️⃣ Connect Your Ledger to a Computer
Using the supplied USB cable, connect the Ledger device to your computer. It powers on automatically and displays a welcome screen.
3️⃣ Install Ledger Live Application
Download Ledger Live on your computer or smartphone. Ledger Live is the official application to manage your wallet, cryptocurrencies, and firmware updates.
4️⃣ Initialize Your Device
Open Ledger Live and follow prompts to set up your device. You can either create a new wallet or restore one using your 24-word recovery phrase. When creating new, the device generates a secure seed phrase — write this down carefully on the provided recovery sheet.
5️⃣ Set PIN and Security Settings
Set a secure PIN directly on the device to protect it from unauthorized use. You may also enable passphrase protection, adding an extra hidden layer to your wallet.
6️⃣ Add Cryptocurrency Accounts
Within Ledger Live, add accounts for supported cryptocurrencies. Ledger currently supports over 1800 cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and many ERC-20 tokens.
Integration ⚙️
Developers can integrate Ledger Wallet features into their applications using Ledger’s open APIs, libraries, and protocols. Here are some popular integration paths and tips to get started:
LedgerJS - JavaScript Libraries
Ledger provides LedgerJS, a collection of JavaScript libraries to communicate with Ledger devices from browsers and Node.js environments. This enables:
- ✅ Transaction signing directly from your app
- ✅ Device communication for authentication
- ✅ Multi-currency support
Using WebHID and WebUSB APIs
Modern browsers support WebHID and WebUSB protocols, allowing seamless Ledger device interactions without needing a bridge app. Ledger Live uses these technologies to communicate efficiently and securely.
FIDO2 & U2F Authentication
Ledger devices support FIDO2 and U2F standards for strong hardware-backed authentication. This can be integrated into web services for passwordless login and 2FA solutions.
Ledger Nano SDKs
For developers building applications on Ledger devices themselves, the SDKs allow creating custom apps and firmware modules tailored to specific blockchain needs.
“Leverage Ledger APIs to provide your users with the highest security standards.”
Security 🔒
Security is the core of Ledger Wallet® technology. Here’s how Ledger ensures your assets are protected, and how you can maximize your security posture:
Hardware Security
The Ledger device’s secure element (SE) chip stores private keys securely offline, making extraction nearly impossible even if connected to a compromised computer.
PIN & Passphrase
Your device requires a PIN code for access. The optional passphrase feature creates a hidden wallet that adds a “25th word” to your recovery phrase for extra security.
Firmware Verification
Ledger devices verify firmware signatures during startup to prevent unauthorized or malicious firmware from loading.
Backup & Recovery
The recovery phrase (usually 24 words) is your ultimate backup. Store it offline, preferably physically, in a secure location. Never share it digitally or with anyone.
Best Practices
- 🚫 Never share your recovery phrase.
- 🛡️ Use a hardware wallet only on trusted devices.
- 🔄 Regularly update Ledger Live and device firmware.
- 🔒 Enable two-factor authentication on all related accounts.
Developer Tools 💻
Ledger provides a rich set of developer tools to accelerate your integration and development process. Some key tools include:
Ledger Live SDK
Use the Ledger Live SDK to embed wallet management and transaction signing features directly into your desktop or mobile apps.
Device Simulator
Test your app integrations using Ledger device simulators before deploying to physical hardware. This allows debugging without the risk of using real assets.
CLI Tools
Ledger offers command-line utilities for batch operations, automated testing, and device management in professional workflows.
Comprehensive Documentation
The Ledger Developer Portal contains detailed API docs, tutorials, and SDK downloads to help you get started quickly.
Community & Support
Engage with the Ledger developer community on GitHub and forums for collaboration, questions, and sharing innovative projects.
FAQ ❓
Q1: What cryptocurrencies does Ledger support?
Ledger supports over 1800 cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Litecoin, and many ERC-20 tokens. See the full list on Ledger Live.
Q2: Can I use Ledger without Ledger Live?
Yes. Advanced users and developers can use Ledger with third-party wallets and software through Ledger's APIs and SDKs.
Q3: What happens if I lose my Ledger device?
Your funds are safe as long as you have your recovery phrase. You can restore your wallet on a new Ledger or compatible wallet device.
Q4: How do I update my Ledger device firmware?
Open Ledger Live, navigate to the Manager tab, connect your device, and follow the prompts for firmware updates.
Q5: Is Ledger open source?
Ledger publishes many of its SDKs and client libraries as open source. Firmware remains proprietary to ensure security integrity.
Q6: How secure is Ledger compared to software wallets?
Ledger’s hardware wallets offer significantly higher security by keeping private keys isolated in the device’s secure element, unlike software wallets that store keys on potentially vulnerable computers or smartphones.