Trezor Bridge — Secure Your Hardware Wallet®

Introduction to Trezor Bridge

Trezor Bridge is the essential software that serves as the secure connection between your Trezor hardware wallet and your computer or browser-based wallets. It acts as a trusted communication bridge ensuring your transactions and device interactions are safe, private, and efficient.

Unlike firmware that runs on the device or web apps that run in the browser, Trezor Bridge is a lightweight native app that runs on your operating system, handling USB connections and permissions securely.

What is Trezor Bridge?

Purpose and Role

Trezor Bridge facilitates a secure local pathway for your browser to talk to your hardware wallet. It handles critical tasks like message framing, USB permissions, encryption of communication, and ensures that commands such as transaction signing get securely passed to the device.

How Trezor Bridge Works

When you initiate a crypto transaction via a web wallet, the request goes through Trezor Bridge, which sends it to your hardware wallet. You then manually approve or deny actions on the device, ensuring your private keys never leave the device. The signed response is relayed back to the web app through Bridge.

Comparison: Firmware vs Web Apps vs Bridge

Firmware: Runs securely on the Trezor device itself and controls private key handling.
Web Apps: Run in your browser to provide user interfaces for managing crypto.
Bridge: Runs on your OS and acts as a secure communication conduit between web apps and your device.

Installation & Setup Guide

Supported Platforms

Trezor Bridge is compatible with the major operating systems: Windows, macOS, and Linux. Always download the latest installer from the official site to ensure security and compatibility.

Step-by-Step Installation

Go to the official Trezor downloads page.
Download the appropriate Bridge installer for your OS.
Run the installer and follow the prompts. On macOS, grant system extension permissions if requested.
Connect your Trezor device via USB.
Open your web wallet or supported app — it should now detect your device.

Platform Specific Tips

Windows

You may be asked to approve driver installation and admin permissions. Accept these to enable proper functioning of Bridge.

macOS

Gatekeeper may flag the installer. You can override this in System Preferences > Security & Privacy. Also, ensure your browser has USB device permissions.

Linux

Some distributions require custom udev rules to access USB devices. See official documentation for guidance.

Security Features and Best Practices

Secure by Design

Trezor Bridge is designed with security as a priority. It ensures isolation of key signing and USB communication, preventing unauthorized access or interception.

Best Practices for Safe Use

Download Bridge only from the official Trezor website.
Keep the software regularly updated to receive security patches.
Use trusted browsers and disable any extensions that may interfere with USB connections.
Only approve actions you recognize on your device screen—never approve suspicious requests.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Browser Can’t Detect Device

If your browser cannot detect your Trezor, check Bridge is running in the background. Reconnect your device, try different USB cables (avoid charge-only cables), and restart your browser or computer as needed.

Permission Denied or Access Refused

On macOS or Linux, confirm that your user has sufficient permissions to access USB devices. Refer to official Trezor troubleshooting guides for configuring permissions properly.

Bridge Update Failure

If updates fail, uninstall Bridge, restart your system, and reinstall the latest version from https://trezor.io.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What exactly is Trezor Bridge?: Trezor Bridge is software that enables secure communication between your Trezor hardware wallet and your computer/browser-based crypto applications.
Do I need to install Bridge to use my Trezor?: Yes, Bridge is required for your computer or browser to detect and interact with your Trezor device safely.
Is Trezor Bridge safe to use?: Yes, it is designed with security as a priority and should only be downloaded from the official Trezor website.
What operating systems support Trezor Bridge?: Windows, macOS, and most Linux distributions support Trezor Bridge.
Why isn’t my device showing up in the browser?: Common causes include Bridge not running, USB driver issues, inadequate permissions, or using a charge-only USB cable.
Can I manage multiple Trezor devices with Bridge?: Yes, Bridge supports multiple devices connected to the same machine, handling each securely.