Trezor Bridge – Secure Your Hardware Wallet®

Trezor Bridge is the official communication layer that allows your Trezor hardware wallet to securely interact with Trezor Suite and compatible web interfaces. This comprehensive guide explains what Bridge does, how to install and verify it, security considerations, common troubleshooting steps, and advanced usage tips.

What is Trezor Bridge?

Trezor Bridge is a lightweight background application that runs on your computer to enable communication between your Trezor device and desktop applications or web pages (via WebUSB / WebHID). It translates USB signals and provides a secure, authenticated channel for signing requests and device management. Bridge simplifies compatibility across operating systems and browser environments while keeping sensitive operations constrained to the hardware device.

Why Bridge is required

Browsers and operating systems often impose restrictions on direct USB communication for security reasons. Trezor Bridge acts as a trusted intermediary that exposes a controlled API to Trezor Suite and web integrations so that your device can be discovered and used without requiring low‑level drivers or risky browser extensions. In short, Bridge enables reliable device connectivity while minimizing attack surface.

Supported platforms & compatibility

For web flows, some browsers can use WebUSB directly without Bridge; however, Bridge increases compatibility and reduces friction across diverse environments.

How Trezor Bridge works — technical overview

Trezor Bridge runs as a local service and listens on a loopback interface. When a supported application or web page needs to communicate with a Trezor device, it sends requests to Bridge, which then performs USB transactions with the device. Bridge enforces a permission model and origin checks to ensure only authorized clients can interact with the device. Importantly, Bridge never has access to your seed or private keys; signing operations remain inside the Trezor hardware.

Download & installation

  1. Visit the official Trezor website's Bridge download page.
  2. Choose the correct installer for your operating system and download it.
  3. Run the installer and follow on‑screen instructions. On macOS, you may need to allow the app in System Preferences if Gatekeeper blocks it.
  4. After installation, Bridge will run in the background and may display a tray/menu icon depending on your OS.

Tip: Keep Bridge updated — new versions often add compatibility improvements and security fixes.

Verifying the installer

For improved security, verify the integrity of the downloaded installer when a checksum or signature is provided:

  1. Check for SHA256 checksums or PGP signatures on the official Trezor download page.
  2. Compute the checksum locally (e.g., shasum -a 256 filename) and compare it to the published value.
  3. If a PGP signature exists, verify it using Trezor's published public key following their verification instructions.

Security model & privacy

Trezor Bridge is designed to be a thin, secure layer. Key security properties include:

Always download Bridge from the official Trezor domain and avoid third‑party installers to prevent tampering.

Using Bridge with Trezor Suite and web apps

Once installed, Trezor Suite and compatible web apps will detect the Bridge service and prompt you to connect your device. Typical flow:

  1. Open Trezor Suite or a supported web app and select the option to connect your device.
  2. Bridge will enumerate connected Trezor devices and request permission from the app or web origin.
  3. On the Trezor device, confirm any prompts and verify transaction details on the screen before approving signatures.

Always review the origin (website URL or app name) that is requesting access before granting permissions.

Troubleshooting common Bridge issues

Device not detected

Try the following:

Bridge not starting

Check for OS security settings preventing the service from launching (macOS Gatekeeper, Windows SmartScreen). Reinstall Bridge and allow permissions when prompted. Consult logs for errors — Bridge often writes diagnostics to local log files.

Browser can't access device

Ensure your browser supports WebUSB/WebHID and that you've granted the origin permission. Some browsers require experimental flags or do not support certain APIs; try a different supported browser and make sure Bridge is running.

Advanced usage & developer notes

Developers building integrations with Trezor Bridge should follow official SDKs and API specs. Key considerations:

For testing, consult Trezor's developer docs, simulator tools, and community resources to ensure compatibility and secure handling.

Removing or updating Bridge

If you need to remove Bridge, use your OS's standard uninstall process and restart your machine. To update, download the latest installer from the official site and run it — Bridge will typically replace the previous version while preserving settings. After update, verify connectivity with your Trezor device and the apps you use.

Best practices & recommendations

FAQ

Do I need Trezor Bridge to use my device?

For desktop flows with Trezor Suite and many web integrations, Bridge improves compatibility and reliability. Some browsers and setups can use WebUSB directly without Bridge, but Bridge remains the recommended option for a smoother experience.

Is Bridge safe to run on my computer?

Yes — Bridge is designed as a minimal local service that does not access seeds or private keys. Ensure you download it from the official Trezor domain and keep your system secure.

What data does Bridge collect?

Bridge collects minimal diagnostic data if you opt in. Refer to Trezor's privacy policy for details on telemetry and how to disable it.