Trezor Bridge — The Secure Gateway to Your Hardware Wallet®
Trezor Bridge is the lightweight, secure software bridge that enables communication between your Trezor hardware wallet and desktop applications or browsers. This guide explains what Trezor Bridge does, how to install and verify it, security considerations, common troubleshooting steps, and practical tips for safe usage.
What is Trezor Bridge?
Trezor Bridge is a small background application that provides a standard interface for web apps and desktop wallets (such as Trezor Suite or compatible third-party clients) to detect and communicate with your Trezor device over USB. It replaces older browser extensions and simplifies connectivity across operating systems.
Bridge runs locally on your machine and exposes a secure, limited interface only while applications request access. It acts as the trusted intermediary that translates web or app requests into calls the device understands, while ensuring permission prompts and on-device confirmations remain central to security.
Why use Trezor Bridge?
- Cross-platform support: Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux without browser-specific extensions.
- Improved security model: Keeps device communication local and explicit — actions still require physical confirmation on the Trezor device.
- Simpler UX: Automatically detected by supported apps, eliminating manual driver setups for most users.
System requirements
Trezor Bridge is intentionally lightweight. Typical requirements include:
- Windows 10 or newer (64-bit recommended).
- macOS 10.13 (High Sierra) or newer.
- Modern Linux distributions with libusb support (you may need to set udev rules).
- One free USB port and the official USB cable (data-capable).
- Internet access to download and occasionally check for Bridge updates.
For Linux, you may need to configure udev rules so your user can access USB devices without root. The Trezor start page provides the exact rules and instructions per distribution.
Installing Trezor Bridge
- Always download Bridge from the official Trezor site (e.g., trezor.io/start) or a link provided on official documentation pages.
- Choose the installer that matches your operating system and architecture.
- Run the installer and follow on-screen prompts. On macOS, you may be asked to allow system permissions for the Bridge helper.
- After installation, Bridge typically runs in the background and will be detected automatically by Trezor Suite and supported web apps.
If you already use Trezor Suite, it will often detect Bridge and guide you through any required configuration steps.
Verifying authenticity
To reduce the risk of tampered installers or malicious imitations:
- Download only from official Trezor pages. Check the URL and SSL certificate in your browser address bar.
- Prefer installers served directly from the official domain and avoid links sent in unsolicited messages.
- On platforms that show publisher information (Windows SmartScreen, macOS Gatekeeper), verify the publisher is listed as the official entity.
If you suspect a downloaded file has been tampered with, delete it and redownload directly from the official site. Contact Trezor support if you encounter suspicious behavior.
How Trezor Bridge works (high-level)
Bridge runs locally and listens for connection requests from web pages or desktop apps. When an app requests to communicate with the device, Bridge facilitates the connection and routes messages until the app closes the session. Importantly, any action that can move funds or change security settings must be approved on the Trezor device itself — Bridge does not bypass on-device confirmations.
This separation keeps the most critical security control (the hardware device) physically present and required for approvals.
Security considerations
Bridge is designed to minimize attack surface, but users should still follow security best practices:
- Keep your operating system and Bridge up to date to receive security fixes.
- Install Bridge only from official sources. Avoid running unknown binaries.
- Use Trezor devices’ PIN and recovery seed protections — Bridge does not replace device-level security.
- When a web app or desktop client requests device access, verify the app’s legitimacy before granting permission.
Troubleshooting — common issues & fixes
| Issue | Quick Fix |
|---|---|
| Bridge not detected by app | Restart the app and Bridge (or reboot). Ensure Bridge service is running and that your USB cable and port are functional. |
| Device not recognized on Windows | Try a different USB cable/port. Check Device Manager for USB issues and reinstall Bridge. Disable conflicting drivers or software. |
| macOS: permission prompts or Gatekeeper block | Allow the installer in Security & Privacy settings and confirm the publisher. Re-run installer if required. |
| Linux: access denied to USB | Install/enable recommended udev rules and restart the udev service or reboot. Ensure your user has necessary group membership. |
| Browser web app fails to connect | Ensure Bridge is running and that your browser allows the site to access localhost. Try opening the official web app from the Trezor domain. |
If issues persist, consult official Trezor support pages or community documentation — often platform-specific quirks have documented fixes.
Uninstalling or updating Bridge
To update Bridge, download the newest installer from the official site and run it; the installer typically replaces the previous version. To uninstall:
- Windows: use Add/Remove Programs to uninstall Trezor Bridge.
- macOS: remove the Bridge app and helper binaries from /Applications and /Library, following official uninstall instructions.
- Linux: remove installed packages or the AppImage according to your installation method; also remove udev rules if you added them manually.
After uninstalling, reconnecting the device to web apps will fail until you reinstall Bridge or use an alternative supported connection method (for example, Trezor Suite bundled connectivity).
Best practices & practical tips
- Use the official Trezor Suite when possible; it handles Bridge detection and provides a consistent, secure workflow.
- Keep one dedicated machine for high-value operations if you manage very large holdings — a clean, updated environment reduces risk.
- For Linux users, save the udev rule snippet in your configuration management system if you administer multiple machines.
- When in doubt about a connection request, disconnect the device and investigate the requesting application's provenance before reconnecting.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Do I always need Trezor Bridge?
Many desktop and browser-based workflows use Bridge for convenience. Some official apps bundle similar connectivity support directly; if your chosen application recommends Bridge, install it.
Can Bridge access my recovery seed?
No. Bridge only facilitates communication between apps and the Trezor device. The recovery seed is generated and stored (only temporarily displayed) on the device itself and must never be entered into software on your computer.
Is Bridge safe to leave running?
Bridge runs locally and is designed to be safe. However, keep your system patched and only grant device access to trusted apps. When you are finished using Trezor with a particular app, close the app or disconnect the device.
Where to get help
If you encounter issues beyond the basic troubleshooting steps, consult the official Trezor support documentation and community forums. Official resources include step-by-step guides, platform-specific instructions, and contact options for support.
Always verify you are on the official Trezor domain (trezor.io) before following instructions or downloading software.