Trezor Bridge — The Secure Gateway to Your Hardware Wallet®

Overview — what is Trezor Bridge and why it matters

Trezor Bridge is a small, trusted application that runs on your computer and allows web pages (and some desktop apps) to communicate securely with your Trezor hardware wallet over USB. If you use a Trezor device to hold keys for cryptocurrencies, Trezor Bridge is the piece of software that translates browser requests into safe USB messages your device understands — and it does so without exposing your private keys to the web.

While modern browsers often restrict direct USB access for security reasons, Bridge acts as an authorized intermediary. It keeps the hardware wallet connection robust and seamless while strictly limiting what third-party websites can do with your device.

Key benefits at a glance

Secure communication: Bridge isolates the low-level USB exchange from web pages, reducing risk.
Cross-platform: Works on Windows, macOS, and many Linux distributions.
Automatic updates: Bridge can be kept up-to-date to ensure compatibility and security fixes.
Simple UX: Presents a familiar, consistent experience when connecting your Trezor to wallets, exchanges, and dapps.

How Trezor Bridge works (plain language)

At a high level, here's the flow:

1) A web app (for example, a wallet management site) asks your browser to access a Trezor device.
2) The browser forwards this request to Trezor Bridge (running locally on your machine).
3) Bridge translates the high-level request into a USB command that the Trezor hardware understands.
4) The user physically confirms the operation on the Trezor device (button press or touchscreen) — the final safety gate.
5) The device signs or performs the requested action and returns a response to the web app through Bridge.

The critical security detail is that private keys never leave the Trezor device. Bridge simply moves messages back and forth and doesn't have access to your keys or seed phrase.

Installation — quick start (Windows / macOS / Linux)

Before you install: always download Trezor Bridge from the official Trezor website or from the official Trezor GitHub releases. Never install Bridge from untrusted sources.

1. Windows

1. Open the official Trezor website's "Start" or "Download" section.
2. Download the Windows installer (usually a .exe).
3. Double-click the installer and follow prompts. You may need administrator privileges.
4. After installation, the Bridge icon may appear in the system tray. Open your browser and visit your wallet website (for example, Trezor Suite or a compatible web wallet). Connect your device when prompted.

2. macOS

1. Download the macOS package (.dmg or .pkg) from the official source.
2. Mount the DMG and drag the Bridge app to Applications (or run the PKG installer).
3. macOS might prompt for permission to allow Bridge to access USB devices — accept or allow as needed.
4. Open your preferred browser and navigate to your wallet. Connect your Trezor when requested.

3. Linux

Linux distributions vary. The common approaches are:
• Use the official .tar.gz or .deb package if provided.
• Use distribution-specific packages (e.g., apt for Debian/Ubuntu).
• On some systems you can run Bridge as a standalone binary.
Always follow the distribution-specific instructions from the official docs.

Download bridge (official)

Security and privacy — what to know

Security is the central promise of hardware wallets. Bridge is designed to maintain that promise by being a minimal, well-audited piece of software whose role is only to ferry messages between the browser and the device.

Private keys remain offline: Your seed phrase and private keys never leave the Trezor hardware itself.
User confirmation: Any sensitive action — revealing a public key, signing a transaction, or exporting data — requires explicit physical confirmation on the device.
Minimal network exposure: Bridge typically runs locally and does not broadcast wallet information externally. Always confirm Bridge’s network behavior from the official docs.
Open source: Components of the Trezor ecosystem are open source — this helps the community audit the code.

A good security habit: verify the download checksum or digital signature of the Bridge installer when available. This prevents tampered installers.

Troubleshooting — common issues and fixes

Device not detected by the browser

Ensure Bridge is running — look for the Bridge icon or check system processes.
Try a different USB cable or USB port. Some cables are charge-only and do not carry data.
Restart your browser after installing Bridge. Some browsers need a restart to allow the connection.
On macOS, check System Settings → Privacy & Security → USB and allow permissions for your browser (if prompted).

Bridge won't install or crashes

Confirm your OS version is supported by the downloaded installer.
Check for conflicting software that blocks USB access or installs USB filters (security suites, device managers).
Reboot your machine; this resolves driver or permission glitches on many systems.

Browser prompts but no response from device

Physically confirm the action on your Trezor device. Without confirmation, nothing will happen.
Look at the device screen for prompts (verify amount, address, or fingerprint) — confirm carefully.

Advanced: If you are technically comfortable, check Bridge logs (the official documentation explains where logs are stored) and cross-reference them with browser console messages. Do not share logs publicly if they contain identifying or sensitive information.

Best practices when using Trezor Bridge

Always verify the website URL before connecting your Trezor. Phishing sites mimic wallet UIs to trick users.
Keep Bridge updated to receive security patches and compatibility improvements.
Use a dedicated browser profile for crypto operations to reduce the attack surface from extensions or cookies.
Never share your seed phrase — Trezor support will never ask for it.
Physically confirm every transaction on your device and validate addresses displayed on the hardware display (not the web page alone).

Developer notes (for integrators)

Developers building integrations should consult Trezor’s official developer docs and adhere to USB, HID, and WebUSB standards. Bridge exposes a stable local API for web apps to talk to a connected Trezor device; using it correctly enables secure UX while preserving hardware-anchored safety checks.

// Example pseudo-flow for a web integration:
// 1) Request device access via the Bridge API.
// 2) Send JSON RPC command to request public key or sign request.
// 3) Await user confirmation on the device.
// 4) Read signed response and return to the calling app.

If you are implementing an integration, test against multiple Trezor device models and firmware levels. Keep an eye on official release notes in case the bridge API changes.

Migration & coexistence — using Trezor Suite vs web apps

Trezor offers both a local desktop application (Trezor Suite) and browser-based flows. Bridge is primarily used by browser flows, while Suite provides a bundled experience. Both are valid; choose the approach that you trust and that matches your workflow.

If you frequently use web dapps, Bridge is essential. If you prefer an all-in-one desktop experience, Suite may feel simpler and avoids browser permission prompts.

FAQ — quick answers

Is Trezor Bridge safe?

Yes — when downloaded from official sources and used correctly. Bridge does not access your private keys; it simply enables communication between your device and browser. Combine Bridge with good security habits for strong protection.

Do I need Bridge to use my Trezor?

Bridge is required for many browser-based integrations. If you use Trezor Suite (desktop) or other native apps, Bridge may not be necessary. Check the specific application’s requirements.

Can Bridge access the internet?

Bridge is a local application. It may check for updates depending on your configuration, but it is not a cloud wallet and does not upload your private keys. Always verify network behavior in the official documentation.

Can I run Bridge on a headless machine?

Running Bridge on servers or headless systems is not typical and is not recommended for everyday use; hardware wallets are intended to be used interactively where you can physically confirm actions.