This presentation walks through Ledger Live integrations: why they matter, architecture and APIs,
security & UX best practices, testing and deployment tips, plus developer resources and example flows.
Target audience: product managers, wallet integrators, backend engineers and SDK authors.
Times New Roman · 10pt · Full color
Slide 1 / 10
Agenda
What we’ll cover
Overview of Ledger Live and integration models
Core APIs and data flows
Security and device interaction patterns
UX patterns for transaction signing and onboarding
Testing, monitoring, and deployment
Resources and next steps
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Overview: Ledger Live integration models
Integration types
Embedded SDK — for apps that embed Ledger SDKs within their client to communicate with hardware devices.
Remote integration — servers and backends that coordinate with Ledger Live via deep links or APIs.
Plugin / Connector — third-party adapters that appear inside Ledger Live or companion apps.
Choose a model based on platform constraints (mobile vs. desktop), security posture, and the expected user flow.
Ledger Live is typically the secure point where sensitive signing actions are finalized on-device.
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Architecture & Data Flow
Typical flow
Client prepares a transaction object — unsigned payload with metadata and fees.
Client calls Ledger SDK or opens Ledger Live via deep link / intent.
Ledger Live validates the payload, shows user-friendly summary, then prompts for device confirmation.
User confirms on device; signed transaction returned to the client or broadcast by Ledger Live.
Key considerations
Always transmit only necessary data to Ledger Live. Avoid leaking user-sensitive metadata. Use canonical serialization
so the device and host compute identical hashes before signing.
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Core APIs & SDKs
Common building blocks
Transport Layer
USB, BLE, and platform bridges. Use maintained transports provided by the Ledger SDK to handle reconnection,
framing, and timeouts reliably.
App Protocol
Each cryptocurrency app (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum) has defined APDUs and serialization formats.
Follow the protocol docs and SDK helpers to build unsigned payloads and parse device responses.
Useful tips
Pin SDK versions in your builds and test upgrades frequently.
Prefer high-level signing helpers where available to reduce implementation errors.
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Security: Threat model & mitigations
Threats
Man-in-the-middle altering transaction details.
Replay of old transactions.
Malicious or compromised host software attempting to exfiltrate secrets.
Mitigations
Rely on on-device confirmation — ensure the device displays full recipient and amount, not just a hash.
Use unique nonces and canonical serialization.
Validate transaction summaries on host and require user-visible fields on device to match.
The single most important control is the clear, unambiguous confirmation UI on the Ledger device. Design your integration
so that there is no ambiguity between the host screen and device screen.
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UX: Smooth and secure flows
Onboarding
Detect device early and show precise next-step instructions.
Provide clear messaging for connectivity (USB vs BLE), pairing, and permissions.
Transaction flows
Show a concise summary before handing off to Ledger Live or device: recipient name/address, amount, fee.
Use progressive disclosure for advanced details (data payloads, smart contract calldata) for power users.
Accessibility
Ensure text sizes and contrast meet accessibility guidelines. Offer alternative flows for users with devices that
cannot use USB/BLE.
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Testing, QA & Monitoring
Testing matrix
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.
Transport: USB, BLE, bridges and virtualized transports for CI.
Automate core signing flows using emulators or test harnesses. Run contract-call and multi-input transaction tests to
maintain compatibility with ledger app updates.
Surface clear error messages to users and provide remediation steps.
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Example flows & quick snippets
Deep link flow (conceptual)
1) Client creates unsigned transaction; 2) client opens Ledger Live deep link with payload reference; 3) Ledger Live
prompts user and calls device to sign; 4) signed tx is broadcast or returned to client. This keeps signing confined to
Ledger Live and the device.
On-device verification checklist
Amount: exact numeric & currency unit
Recipient: full address (or readable name + canonical address)
Fee: displayed clearly with priority
Purpose (memo/data): for token transfers or contract calls
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Resources & Next Steps
Official resources
Visit the Ledger Developer Portal for SDKs, protocol references, and curated examples. Explore Ledger Live integration docs
for deep link patterns and recommended UX guidelines.
Links (copy into your browser):
• Ledger Developer Portal — https://developers.ledger.com
• Ledger Live product info — https://www.ledger.com/ledger-live
Next steps for your team
Choose an integration model and list required transports.
Prototype a minimal signing flow and verify device UI matches host UI.
Set up CI emulation for core scenarios and schedule periodic compatibility checks.
Contact & credits
Prepared for engineering teams building secure wallet integrations. Adapt and expand slides for demos.