Trezor® Bridge — Secure Connection for Trezor® Wallet

What is Trezor® Bridge?

Trezor® Bridge is a small background application that securely relays messages between Trezor Suite (or other compatible web apps) and your Trezor hardware wallet when connected via USB. It handles device discovery, secure transport, and some platform-specific compatibility tasks so you can interact with your Trezor from modern browsers and desktop environments without exposing private keys.

Why Bridge matters

Browsers and operating systems impose restrictions on USB device access for security reasons. Trezor® Bridge provides a stable, secure bridge (hence the name) that translates between web or desktop requests and the USB interface of the Trezor device. Without it, web-based wallet interfaces would struggle to detect and communicate with the hardware in a reliable, cross-platform manner.

Key benefits

Compatibility

Works across Windows, macOS, and Linux with modern browsers.

Security

Does not store keys — it only forwards signed messages between the app and device.

Automatic updates

Bridge updates can be delivered through official channels to ensure compatibility.

Simplified UX

Users get faster device detection and fewer permission prompts.

How Bridge works (simple)

Your web or desktop app (for example, Trezor Suite) asks to talk to a Trezor device.
Trezor® Bridge intercepts the request and talks to the device over USB using a secure transport channel.
The device performs cryptographic signing or returns requested public data; Bridge relays the response back to the app.

Installing Trezor® Bridge — step-by-step

Visit the official Trezor website or the download link in your Suite app and choose the Bridge package for your operating system.
Run the installer (Windows .exe, macOS .dmg, or Linux package) and follow prompts to install.
After installation, Bridge runs in the background. Connect your Trezor device via USB and open Trezor Suite or a supported web app.
When prompted, allow the browser or app to use the Bridge service (this may appear as a permission request).

Security & privacy model

Trezor® Bridge is designed to minimize risk. Important points:

No private keys stored: Bridge never stores your seed or private keys. Those remain on the Trezor hardware only.
Local-only transport: Bridge runs locally on your computer — it does not forward data to external servers during normal operation.
Limited surface area: Bridge's job is intentionally narrow: detect devices and forward requests. This reduces complexity and attack surface.

Common installation and usage scenarios

Bridge is useful when:

You use a browser-based wallet that needs to interact with Trezor (Bridge enables the connection).
Your operating system lacks native support for the device connection method being used by Suite.
You want fewer permission prompts and more reliable detection when plugging in a device.

Troubleshooting — quick fixes

Device not detected

Try a different USB cable or port — use a data-capable cable (charging-only cables won't work).
On Windows, ensure drivers installed correctly; run the Bridge installer again as administrator.
Restart Bridge: quit the Bridge process and relaunch it or reboot the computer.

Bridge prompts in browser

Grant the permission when the browser asks to use Bridge or Trezor resources.
Clear browser cache or close/reopen the browser if permissions appear stuck.

Firmware or compatibility errors

Check Trezor Suite for firmware update prompts and follow official update steps.
If Suite reports an incompatible Bridge version, download the latest Bridge from official sources.

Advanced troubleshooting steps

Check system logs for device or driver errors (Device Manager on Windows, dmesg on Linux, Console on macOS).
Temporarily disable security software that may block USB device enumeration (only if you understand the risks).
Test on another computer to isolate whether the issue is the device, cable, or host machine.

Security practices when using Bridge

Download Bridge only from official Trezor channels. Avoid third-party mirrors.
Keep both Trezor Suite and Bridge up to date to benefit from fixes and compatibility updates.
When using web apps, verify URLs and use HTTPS; Bridge does not protect you from phishing UIs.

FAQ

Do I need Bridge if I use Trezor Suite desktop?

The desktop Suite may be able to talk to your device directly on some systems, but Bridge improves cross-platform reliability and is required for certain browser interactions.

Is Bridge safe to run?

Yes — when obtained from official sources. Bridge runs locally and does not have access to your seed or PIN. Always follow official install instructions.

Can Bridge be removed?

Yes — you can uninstall Bridge if you prefer, but expect reduced browser compatibility. Reinstalling is straightforward from official downloads.

Technical specs & notes

Platform	Windows, macOS, Linux
Role	Local USB transport between host apps and Trezor device
Network	Local only — does not send keys to remote servers
Update method	Official installers and Suite prompts

Tip: If you manage critical funds, test Bridge and your entire transaction workflow with small amounts first — this ensures cables, permissions, and firmware are all working correctly.

Final notes

Trezor® Bridge simplifies the connection between modern applications and the Trezor hardware wallet while preserving the strong security guarantees of hardware key storage. It is a small but essential part of a secure crypto workflow — install it from official sources, keep it updated, and pair it with good device hygiene for the best experience.