Trezor Bridge — The Secure Gateway to Your Hardware Wallet®

What is Trezor Bridge?

Trezor Bridge is a lightweight communication layer developed by SatoshiLabs that securely connects your Trezor hardware wallet (Trezor Model T, Trezor One, and compatible devices) to a web browser or desktop wallet application. It runs locally on your computer and acts as a mediator between the web UI (or desktop app) and the device over USB (or WebUSB where supported), exposing a safe, minimal API that prevents direct, unmediated access to your hardware keys.

While the hardware wallet contains and protects your private keys, Trezor Bridge provides the only officially supported, authenticated channel to use those keys with wallet interfaces such as the Trezor Suite or browser-based apps. It is intentionally small and focused: it does not hold keys or personal data — it only forwards signed requests between trusted applications and the device.

Why you need Trezor Bridge

Secure communication: It ensures that web apps talk to your Trezor device through an approved, sandboxed path rather than allowing arbitrary direct access.
Cross-platform compatibility: Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux to provide a consistent experience across installers and browsers.
Official support: Trezor Suite and recommended web apps use Bridge to guarantee compatibility and to deliver firmware updates, transaction signing, and account management.
Simple updates: Bridge receives periodic updates with bug fixes and improved browser compatibility without changing your device’s firmware or compromising the security model.

Download & install Trezor Bridge

Install Trezor Bridge only from the official Trezor source to avoid counterfeit packages. The installation process is quick and straightforward. Below are general steps — please follow any platform-specific prompts during the installer flow.

Windows

Download the official Bridge installer for Windows from the official Trezor site.
Run the downloaded .exe and follow the installer prompts. You may need administrator privileges.
After installation, open Trezor Suite or your web browser and connect your Trezor device.

macOS

Download the Bridge .dmg package.
Open the package and drag the Bridge application to your Applications folder as instructed.
On first run, macOS may ask for confirmation — allow the app to install and run.

Linux

Download the Linux package for your distribution (AppImage / .deb / .rpm where provided).
Make the AppImage executable or install the package with your distribution’s package manager.
Launch Bridge and then open Trezor Suite or your preferred supported application.

Tip: After installation, a small Bridge icon or background process may be visible. Bridge runs locally and only on your machine — it does not send data to external servers by itself.

First connection & permissions

When you first connect your Trezor device after installing Bridge, your browser or Trezor Suite will request permission to access the device. Carefully review the prompts and confirm connections only when you initiated them. The device itself will always show transaction details and require physical confirmation for any signing operation.

Open Trezor Suite or a supported web wallet.
Connect your Trezor via USB and unlock it with your PIN.
Authorize the application when prompted; the app will use Bridge to communicate with the device.
Confirm any action (such as revealing addresses, signing a transaction, or firmware updates) directly on the Trezor device screen before approving.

Security model & best practices

Trezor’s security model relies on keeping private keys on the device while exposing minimal, auditable operations through Bridge. Bridge itself does not and cannot access your private keys. Nevertheless, follow these best practices:

Only install Bridge from official sources. Counterfeit installers are a common phishing vector.
Verify device authenticity. When unboxing a new Trezor, check tamper-evident seals and follow the official device verification steps.
Confirm transactions on-device. Always read addresses and amounts on the device screen before approving.
Keep software updated. Install Bridge and Trezor Suite updates when released to benefit from security and compatibility fixes.
Never enter your recovery seed into a computer. The seed should only ever be recorded offline on the supplied recovery card or a secure, offline backup medium.

Troubleshooting common issues

If Bridge fails to connect or your Trezor is not recognized, try the following steps in order — they resolve the vast majority of connection problems:

Ensure Bridge is installed and the Bridge process is running.
Try a different USB cable and a direct USB port (avoid hubs/adapters during troubleshooting).
Restart your browser or Trezor Suite and reconnect the device.
On macOS, check System Preferences → Security & Privacy for blocked components and allow Bridge if necessary.
Update Bridge to the latest version from the official website, and update Trezor Suite/browser extensions if applicable.
If problems persist, reboot your computer and try again — then consult official Trezor support for deeper diagnostics.

Note: Do not enter your recovery seed to "fix" connection issues. Support personnel will never ask for your seed.

Advanced usage & developer notes

Developers building integrations can interface with Trezor devices using the publicly documented API that Bridge exposes. Bridge provides a stable IPC/HTTP interface locally, making it easier to implement signing flows in desktop and web applications. If you are a developer:

Use the official Trezor libraries and SDKs to ensure compatibility and to avoid low-level mistakes.
Respect user consent flows and always prompt users to confirm actions on their hardware devices.
Test thoroughly across platforms and browser contexts; Bridge mitigates many cross-browser issues but testing remains essential.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need Trezor Bridge to use my Trezor?: Yes for most desktop/browser-based workflows. Some native apps or direct USB/WebUSB flows may work differently, but Bridge is the recommended, supported bridge for desktop and browser connectors.
Is Bridge safe to install?: Bridge is safe when downloaded from the official Trezor source. It runs locally and does not transmit your private keys off your machine. Always verify the official site before downloading.
Will Bridge access my wallet or seed?: No. Bridge is only a communication layer. All critical secrets remain on the Trezor device; Bridge forwards signed responses and requests but cannot reveal your seed or private keys.
What if Bridge won't install?: Check administrator privileges on Windows, Gatekeeper settings on macOS, or package compatibility on Linux. If issues persist, consult official documentation or support resources.

Final words & checklist

Download Bridge only from official Trezor resources.
Install and keep Bridge and Trezor Suite up to date.
Always confirm operations on the Trezor device screen.
Never share your recovery seed with anyone — offline backup only.
Use a direct USB connection and avoid hubs when troubleshooting.

Trezor Bridge may be small, but it’s an essential piece of the Trezor security puzzle — a trusted, minimal layer that lets you safely and consistently use your hardware wallet with modern desktop and web applications.