Overview
What is Trezor Bridge?
Trezor Bridge is a small helper application that runs on your computer and enables communication between a Trezor hardware wallet and web applications — most notably Trezor Suite and browser-based wallet integrations. It acts as a secure, local conduit so that your browser can detect the Trezor device and send commands without exposing sensitive data to the web.
Why it matters
Browsers intentionally limit direct access to USB devices for security. Trezor Bridge bridges that gap: it provides a safe, authenticated channel between your computer and the hardware wallet so your seed and private keys stay on the device. That design preserves the core promise of hardware wallets — keys never leave the device.
Official resources
Getting Started
Installation and First Steps
Installing Trezor Bridge is straightforward. On most systems you download a small installer from the official site and follow the prompts. Once installed, the Bridge runs in the background and allows Trezor devices to be discovered by supported apps.
Quick setup checklist
- Download Bridge from the official source: trezor.io/bridge.
- Install and run the Bridge installer — admin/root privileges may be required.
- Connect your Trezor device and open Trezor Suite or a supported web app.
- When prompted, approve the device connection on the hardware wallet screen.
Troubleshooting
If your device isn't detected, common fixes include restarting the Bridge service, trying a different USB cable or port, ensuring the firmware is up to date, or reinstalling the Bridge installer. Always download Bridge only from the official Trezor site listed above.
Security Model
How Trezor Bridge protects your keys
Trezor Bridge never has access to your recovery seed or private keys. It only forwards encrypted commands between your computer and the device. The hardware wallet itself displays every operation requiring your authorization (e.g., transaction signing), and you must physically confirm those actions.
Threats and mitigations
Because Bridge runs locally, the biggest risks are from malware or compromised hosts. Mitigations include:
- Keep your host OS and antivirus up to date.
- Verify Bridge downloads using official sources.
- Use a dedicated machine for high-value operations if possible.
- Always visually verify addresses on the Trezor screen before approving.
Privacy considerations
Bridge does not transmit sensitive wallet secrets to external servers. However, the apps you use with your Trezor can reveal metadata (addresses, tx history) depending on how they query block explorers. Use privacy-conscious tooling and network settings when needed.
Integration with Apps
Trezor Suite and Browser Apps
Modern wallets and web apps integrate with Trezor Bridge to provide a seamless UX. Trezor Suite — the official desktop app — will detect devices via Bridge and present a secure interface for managing accounts, sending transactions, and installing firmware. Browser-based apps rely on Bridge for device discovery when native browser USB APIs are not available or permitted.
Developer notes
Developers building integrations should use the official communication libraries and follow Trezor's integration guides to ensure compatibility and security. Avoid reinventing low-level USB logic; Bridge abstracts cross-platform differences away.
Compatibility
Bridge supports Windows, macOS, and many Linux distributions. Some browser extensions or bleeding-edge OS changes may affect detection — in those cases, check the compatibility resources on the official site.
Best Practices
Keep things up to date
Regularly update your Trezor firmware, Bridge installation, and wallet apps. Updates patch security issues and add compatibility improvements.
Use official sources
Only download Bridge and related tools from official Trezor domains (see the quick links above). Third-party copies may be tampered with.
Operational tips
- When using public or untrusted computers, avoid entering sensitive operations — prefer your own machine.
- Use passphrase features only if you understand the recovery implications.
- Back up your recovery seed securely (offline, physically). Bridge does not manage seeds.
FAQ
- Q: Do I need Trezor Bridge to use my Trezor?
- A: In most cases yes — Bridge enables many desktop/browser integrations. Some apps (like Trezor Suite) also include native detection, but Bridge improves cross-browser compatibility.
- Q: Is Trezor Bridge safe?
- A: Yes — Bridge is a local helper that does not access secrets. Security depends primarily on your host machine and physically confirming actions on the Trezor device.
- Q: Where can I download it?
- A: Download only from the official page: trezor.io/bridge.
- Q: My device isn’t detected. What should I try?
- A: Restart the Bridge service, try a different USB cable/port, reboot your machine, or reinstall Bridge. Ensure firmware is up to date and you approved the connection on the device.
- Q: Does Bridge send any data externally?
- A: Bridge itself does not send private keys or seeds externally. Still, applications that query transaction history or use APIs may leak metadata; review app privacy settings.