Jade Desktop is a free, open-source app for Windows, macOS and Linux that helps people install, run and manage the local background services used alongside the Blockstream Jade hardware wallet. It is aimed at technical users who already own the device or are comparing hardware wallet setups and want a single desktop window for their local tools.
Before you install anything, know that the project has had no code updates since November 2020, and its latest version is 1.1.5. Software that is no longer maintained can fall behind newer versions of Windows and miss security fixes, so it deserves more caution than an actively developed tool. The sections below explain what the app does, how to install it, and what to check first.
What a Desktop Companion for a Hardware Wallet Does
A hardware wallet keeps your private keys on a dedicated device, and transactions are signed on that device rather than on your computer. A desktop companion app is the program that sits between the hardware wallet and the rest of your setup, handling the interface and the background connections the device depends on.
That separation is the main point of the design. The computer can show you information and send requests, but the keys never leave the hardware. When you judge a companion app, ask what it touches on your machine and what it asks the device to do, rather than focusing only on how polished the window looks.
Who Jade Desktop Is For
Jade Desktop suits people who are comfortable with technical concepts and want more control over the software running beside their hardware wallet. Developers who test wallet integrations locally, and hobbyists who like to see exactly which services are running, are typical examples.
It is a poorer fit for someone who wants a simple, fully supported wallet dashboard with frequent updates. A user in that position may find a newer, actively maintained vendor suite easier to live with, even if it covers fewer hardware models.
Understanding JSON-RPC and Local Services
JSON-RPC is a lightweight way for programs to call functions on another program, with requests and responses formatted as JSON. Many wallet tools use it because it is simple to read and easy to test.
A local service runs on your own computer rather than on a remote server. It usually listens on a port that only your machine can reach. That is why a local service can often handle wallet-related requests without sending your data to a third party, but it also means the service itself needs to be trusted and kept up to date.
When you review what Jade Desktop manages, check each service's purpose before you start it. Stopping services you do not need reduces the number of programs listening on your computer.
Key features
One place for local services
Service discovery
Supported coins
Jade Desktop is built around the Blockstream Jade hardware wallet, which is the device the app is designed to work alongside. Which coins and networks you can use depends on the hardware wallet and the software you pair with it, so review what your device supports before planning transfers.
How to install Jade Desktop on Windows
- 1
Download the installer
Open the project page on GitHub at etclabscore/jade-desktop or the GitHub Releases page, and download the latest Windows binary. Download only from the official website or GitHub, and avoid mirrors or links shared on forums.
- 2
Verify the file
Compare the SHA-256 checksum of the downloaded file with the value published on the release page. If no checksum or signature is published for the file, treat that as a reason for extra caution before you run it.
- 3
Run the installer
Start the installer and follow the prompts. Keep Windows Security and any third-party antivirus turned on. If a warning appears, read it and check the file again instead of switching protection off.
-
Launch and review services
Open Jade Desktop and look at the services it lists before starting any of them. Start only what your current task requires.
How to use Jade Desktop
Jade Desktop is mainly a setup and management tool, so the routine is short. Work on a computer you trust, with your hardware wallet within reach.
- Install the app using the steps above and launch it.
- Review the services listed in the interface before starting anything, and note any you did not expect.
- Start only the service you need for the task at hand, such as the one that lets your Blockstream Jade device communicate with the computer.
- Connect your Blockstream Jade device when the app or your wallet software asks for it.
- Confirm any action on the device's own screen. Do not approve requests you did not start.
- When you finish, stop the services you launched and close the app.
Keep your recovery words offline at all times. Do not type them into Jade Desktop or any other program.
Pros & cons
- Free and open source, with the source code published on GitHub
- Available for Windows, macOS and Linux
- Brings local service installation and management into one interface
- Suits users who want visibility into the background services their wallet relies on
- No code updates since November 2020, so compatibility and security fixes are uncertain
- Latest version listed is 1.1.5, with no newer releases since
- Oriented toward technical users familiar with JSON-RPC and local services
- Focused on one hardware wallet ecosystem rather than a broad range of devices
Is Jade Desktop safe?
Jade Desktop has had no code updates since November 2020, so treat it as an unmaintained project. Download it only from the official project page or GitHub, and verify the SHA-256 checksum or signature before running the installer. Since the app works alongside a hardware wallet, your private keys remain on the device, but any software on your computer can still cause harm if it is compromised. Never enter a seed phrase into a desktop app, a browser or a third-party website, and review the latest version information on the official website before you install.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/etclabscore/jade-desktop. Ignore ads and lookalike domains.
- Check the SHA-256. Compare the installer hash with the value the developer publishes before running it.
- Never share your seed phrase. No developer, support agent or website — including CryptApps — will ever ask for it.
Alternatives
Ledger Live, Trezor Suite and BitBoxApp are full wallet interfaces built for their own hardware, so they cover account management, transactions and device settings in one place. Jade Desktop is narrower: it concentrates on installing and managing the local services that sit beside a Blockstream Jade device. Keystone takes a different route, working on a computer through third-party wallet software rather than offering its own complete desktop suite. If you want a complete vendor dashboard, the first three are closer to that model. If you want to see and control the background services yourself, Jade Desktop fits that narrower role better.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- —
- Latest version
- 1.1.5
- Last update
- 25 Nov 2020
- Windows support
- Yes (Windows build or installer)
- Source code
- github.com/etclabscore/jade-desktop
Frequently asked questions
Safety depends on where you get the file and whether you verify it. The project has had no code updates since November 2020, so extra caution is sensible. Check the SHA-256 checksum before running the installer, and never enter your recovery words into the app.
Yes, Jade Desktop is free and open source. Its source code is published on GitHub, so you can review the project yourself or follow its development history there.
Yes. The project provides a Windows build or installer. It also supports macOS and Linux, so the same tool is available if you use more than one operating system.
Jade Desktop is associated with the Blockstream Jade hardware wallet. Check your device documentation and your wallet software to confirm which features and versions are currently compatible before you rely on the setup.
Not actively. The last code update was in November 2020, and the latest version is 1.1.5. That means fixes for newer Windows releases may be absent, so weigh that before installing it on a machine you use for wallet activity.
Remove it through the Windows Settings app like any other installed program. Then check that none of its local services are still running, and close any leftover processes from Task Manager before you restart your computer.
A seed phrase is the list of recovery words that can restore a wallet. Never share it with anyone or enter it into a desktop app or website, including Jade Desktop. Store it offline, because anyone who has it can access the funds it protects.
Verdict
Jade Desktop suits technical users who want a free, open-source way to install and manage the local services that accompany a Blockstream Jade hardware wallet. Its main strength is visibility into those services. Its main weakness is age: with no code updates since November 2020, it is hard to recommend for anyone who needs current compatibility and security fixes. If you use it at all, verify the download, keep it isolated from everyday tasks where possible, and stay with the safety habits outlined above.