Ledger Live is the official application ecosystem for interacting with Ledger hardware wallets — providing account management, portfolio monitoring, transactions (send/receive/swap/stake), and device management. It exists as both a desktop and mobile client and is the primary UX for most Ledger hardware users. The application abstracts device communication and exposes flows for secure signing while keeping private keys inside the device Secure Element.
The user-facing application (Ledger Live), Ledger device firmware (Secure Element + BOLOS OS), and backend services (updates, discover, and app distribution) form the core components. Ledger Live handles UI, state, balance aggregation, and interacts with local devices and remote APIs where necessary for blockchain-specific data.
Private keys never leave the Secure Element. BOLOS (Ledger OS) provides process isolation for crypto apps, enforces attestation/genuine checks, and mediates cryptographic operations requested by Ledger Live.
Ledger Live runs on an untrusted host (desktop or mobile). The trust model therefore relies on: (1) hardware root-of-trust provided by the Secure Element, (2) verified firmware and app signatures, and (3) secure UX flows that surface transaction details on-device for user verification.
Firmware/app updates go through Ledger's infrastructure; devices perform genuine checks and cryptographic verification of app/firmware signatures prior to installation. Operationally, integrate update-checking in your provisioning or user onboarding flows to prevent stale firmware usage.
Users initialize a device, choose a PIN, and are given a recovery phrase. Ledger's recommended UX is explicit: never enter your recovery phrase into software. Instead use built-in device flows and recovery-check utilities to validate backups.
Two common recovery strategies are (A) standard 24-word seed restoration on a compatible device, and (B) optional Ledger Recovery Key (backup product) for users who choose the service. Operationally, automate clear guidance: how to restore, how to verify backups, and warning text for social-engineering risks.
For dApp and integration work, Ledger exposes developer documentation and kits for integrating Ledger Live's Discover section and for signing flows. Use device libraries (Official SDKs) and follow platform-specific examples (WebHID/WebUSB, mobile connectors) for secure transport. Developers should never request or transmit recovery phrases.
If building integrations, test against official Ledger Live releases and follow the recommended submission process for any Live Apps you intend to publish to the Discover marketplace.
Always direct users to download Ledger Live only from official distribution channels (official site and app stores). Warn users never to share seed phrases, and provide explicit mitigation steps on suspected compromise (revoke keys where possible; restore to a new device).
Maintain a short troubleshooting KB for users: download/install issues, driver/permissions for USB, and verifying genuine device checks. Subscribe to Ledger release notes for timely security fixes.