Trezor Bridge — The Secure Gateway to Your Hardware Wallet®

Trezor Bridge is the lightweight local bridge application that safely connects your Trezor® device to desktop browsers and apps. This guide explains what Bridge does, how to install and configure it, and best practices for secure use.

What is Trezor Bridge?

Trezor Bridge is a small background service that runs on your computer to facilitate communication between Trezor® hardware wallets and host applications (for example, web-based wallets or desktop wallet apps). Because most browsers do not have native low-level USB support for hardware wallets, Bridge acts as a secure, local translator that exposes a safe API for the browser to use while ensuring signing operations happen only on the device itself.

Why Bridge Matters for Security

Bridge keeps sensitive cryptographic operations inside the Trezor device and minimizes attack surface on the host machine. Instead of exposing raw USB access to a webpage, Bridge provides a controlled channel that requires explicit user confirmation on the device for every critical action — such as firmware updates or transaction approvals — reducing the risk of remote exploitation.

Security tip: even with Bridge installed, always verify transaction details on the Trezor device screen before approving — never trust what the computer shows alone.

Installing & Updating Trezor Bridge

Installation is straightforward: download the official Bridge installer from the Trezor website, run the installer for your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux), and allow the service to run in the background. When a new version is released, update promptly — updates often include security fixes and improved compatibility with browsers and Trezor Suite.

Quick install checklist

Download Bridge only from the official Trezor site.
Run the installer and allow the background service to start.
Restart your browser if prompted after installation.
Confirm Bridge is running by visiting the official start page or opening your wallet app.

How Bridge Works — Permissions & Privacy

Bridge listens on a local loopback address (localhost) and only accepts connections from the local machine. It does not expose your device to the internet. Any application connecting through Bridge must request permission, and all signing or sensitive actions require on-device confirmation that displays the exact data being signed.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Problems connecting to a Trezor device via Bridge are often caused by outdated Bridge versions, browser caching, or USB/cable issues. Try these steps:

Ensure Bridge is installed and the service is running (check your system tray / background services).
Use the original USB cable and a reliable USB port; try a different port or cable if needed.
Restart the browser and, if necessary, the computer after installation.
Clear the browser cache or try a different supported browser if the web wallet doesn't detect your device.
If prompted to update firmware, follow official instructions and confirm updates on your device screen.

Warning: If any website or app instructs you to disable Bridge security checks or to enter your recovery seed into the browser — do not comply. That is a scam.

Best Practices & Security Recommendations

Always download Trezor Bridge and related software from the official Trezor website.
Keep Bridge and your Trezor device firmware up to date; updates patch security issues.
Only connect your hardware wallet to trusted computers; avoid public or shared machines.
Verify every transaction and firmware prompt directly on the Trezor device screen.
If you suspect a compromised machine, stop using it and access your wallet from a clean device.

Advanced Notes for Power Users

Developers and advanced users who build integrations with Trezor Bridge should follow the official developer documentation and use the signed firmware/communication protocols. Bridge's loopback-only approach and explicit device confirmations are core design elements — do not circumvent them.