At a glance — what is Trézor Bridge®?
Trézor Bridge® is a small, local helper application that enables secure USB communication between your web browser (or other permitted apps) and a Trezor hardware wallet. Modern browsers restrict direct USB access for security; Bridge acts as a trusted intermediary so web-based tools can communicate with your device without exposing your secret keys. Bridge does not hold your recovery seed and its sole job is safe transport of messages between software and the hardware device.
Why Bridge exists (short)
Browsers implement strong permissions and sandboxing for good reason — they prevent arbitrary code from talking to connected USB devices. Bridge provides a controlled, audited local channel that the official Trezor web interface can use to manage firmware, handle backups, and sign transactions in a way that keeps the sensitive cryptographic operations on the hardware itself.
Before you install — quick safety checklist
- Download Bridge only from the official vendor site (type the URL directly or use a bookmarked link).
- Do not install Bridge from unknown mirrors or attachments.
- Keep your operating system and browser up to date.
- Never enter your recovery seed into a browser or Bridge — recovery and seed entry should happen on the Trezor device itself.
How to install Trézor Bridge (step-by-step)
- Open your browser and navigate to the official Trezor start/setup page. Avoid clicking links in unsolicited emails or social media messages.
- Download the Bridge installer for your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux).
- Run the installer and accept any system prompts — on macOS you may need to approve a kernel or security permission in System Settings if prompted.
- After installation, Bridge runs in the background and usually places an icon in your system tray or menu bar; web Suite will detect it automatically.
- If using Linux, ensure udev rules were installed so your non-root user can access the device (the installer often provides this step or includes instructions).
Using Bridge with the Trezor web Suite
When you open the official web Suite, the page will check for Bridge. If Bridge is present it will request permission to access the device. You will still have to confirm all important actions on the device screen; Bridge simply relays messages — it does not have authority to sign anything by itself.
Security model — what Bridge can and cannot do
- Cannot access your seed: Bridge never reads or stores your recovery phrase.
- Cannot sign without approval: signing operations must be confirmed on the Trezor device physically.
- Local-only: Bridge runs on your machine and communicates only with the browser / Suite on that same machine; it does not send data to remote servers by default.
- Permissions: your browser will ask or the Suite will request explicit permission before connecting to the device through Bridge.
Troubleshooting — common issues & fixes
Browser cannot find Bridge
- Confirm Bridge is installed and running (check system tray/menu bar).
- Restart your browser and Bridge process.
- Check for blocked browser permissions or system-level security prompts (macOS Privacy & Security).
Device not detected after Bridge installation
- Try a different USB cable or port — many cables are power-only.
- Ensure the Trezor device is unlocked and shows the homescreen.
- On Linux, re-load udev rules:
sudo udevadm control --reload-rules && sudo udevadm trigger
Bridge update or reinstall
Occasionally Bridge updates are released. If you encounter unexpected behavior, reinstall the latest Bridge package from the official site and restart your machine.
Privacy considerations
Bridge itself is local and does not transmit your recovery phrase or private keys. However, when using web-based interfaces, be mindful of the endpoints your browser contacts for blockchain data (balance lookups, transaction feeds). If maximum privacy is required, consider using the desktop Suite, running your own node, or configuring privacy-respecting endpoints.
Advanced uses & developer notes
Developers integrating Trezor support commonly use the Bridge API to connect browser-based apps to devices during development and testing. If you’re building integrations:
- Only call Bridge from trusted origins and avoid exposing debug endpoints to the public internet.
- Always require explicit on-device confirmation for signing operations.
- Respect user privacy and never request recovery seeds.
When to contact support
Contact official Trezor support when Bridge installation logs show errors you can’t resolve, the device remains unresponsive, or firmware updates fail. When contacting support provide OS version, browser, Bridge version, Suite version, device model, and exact reproduction steps — never share your recovery seed with anyone.
FAQ — quick answers
Do I always need Bridge?
Not necessarily. If you use the desktop Trezor Suite, it may connect directly to your device without Bridge. The web flow usually requires Bridge to safely expose USB access to the browser.
Is Bridge safe?
When downloaded from the official site and kept up to date, Bridge is a safe, small utility designed specifically to enable secure hardware wallet connectivity. The critical operations remain on the device and require physical confirmation.
Can Bridge be removed afterwards?
Yes — if you prefer the desktop Suite or no longer use web-based flows you can uninstall Bridge. Removing it will simply stop the browser-based interface from detecting your device until Bridge is reinstalled.
Closing thoughts
Trézor Bridge® is a pragmatic piece of infrastructure that makes modern browser workflows possible while preserving the essential security boundary: keys and signing remain on the hardware device. Install Bridge only from official sources, keep software up to date, and always verify transaction details on your Trezor device before approving. Those habits keep your crypto secure while letting you benefit from the convenience of web and desktop tooling.