Trezor Bridge — Secure Connection for Your Hardware Wallet

What is Trezor Bridge?

Trezor Bridge is a small application you install on your computer that enables communication between browser-based Web3 apps and your Trezor device. Unlike browser extensions that run in the page context or cloud services that might expose sensitive data, Bridge runs locally and limits network exposure. It provides a clear, auditable channel so websites and desktop apps can request signatures or read public data from the device without having direct access to your private keys.

Why Bridge matters for security

Hardware wallets like Trezor are only as secure as their connection to the software you use. Trezor Bridge minimizes attack surface by isolating device communication to a local, trusted process. Requests to sign transactions must be approved physically on the device screen, and Bridge helps mediate those requests so malicious sites cannot silently sign on your behalf. When combined with physical confirmation and firmware attestation, Bridge forms a critical layer in the defense-in-depth strategy of a secure crypto setup.

How Trezor Bridge works (simple)

At a high level, Bridge exposes a local API that authorized applications can call to communicate with your Trezor device. When a web page or the Trezor Suite app needs to get a public address or request a signature, it sends a request to Bridge, which forwards the command to the hardware device. The device displays transaction details and asks for your confirmation. Only after you confirm on the device will the private key perform the cryptographic operation and return the signed transaction via Bridge.

Installing Bridge: step-by-step

Installing Bridge is quick and safe when you use official sources. Follow these steps:

• Visit the official Trezor site and download Bridge. Start at Trezor.io/start if you’re new to Trezor.
• Run the installer and follow the on-screen prompts. Bridge runs in the background as a local process.
• Connect your Trezor device with a USB cable. Your browser or desktop app should now detect the device via Bridge.
• Authorize the connection when prompted and confirm any transaction on the device screen.

Always download installers from official Trezor domains and verify digital signatures or checksums when available.

Using Bridge with Trezor Suite and web apps

Trezor Bridge was built to work seamlessly with Trezor Suite — the official companion app for managing accounts, sending transactions, and interacting with Web3 features. When Bridge is installed, Suite can connect to your device safely and keep private keys offline. The same Bridge installation also allows compatible web apps and decentralized applications to request only the specific operations they need, like retrieving a public address or asking for a transaction signature.

Security best practices

Installing Bridge is straightforward, but security comes down to behavior. Follow these best practices:

• Download Bridge and Suite only from https://trezor.io/ or the official setup flow at Trezor.io/start.
• Keep your firmware and Bridge installation up to date to receive security patches.
• Verify transaction details on the Trezor device screen before approving — never trust browser pop-ups alone.
• Use a passphrase for additional account separation if you understand how it works; losing the passphrase can permanently lock access.
• Store your recovery seed offline on a durable medium; do not photograph or type it into online services.

Troubleshooting common Bridge issues

If Bridge doesn’t detect your device, try these steps:

• Check USB cable and port — use the original or a known-good data cable (some cables are charge-only).
• Restart Bridge and the browser or desktop app that is trying to connect.
• Ensure the latest Bridge version is installed; older versions may be incompatible with recent firmware.
• Temporarily disable browser extensions that could interfere with local connections, then re-enable them one-by-one to identify conflicts.
• On some systems, firewall or antivirus software may block Bridge. Allow the Bridge process in your OS security settings if you trust the source.

If problems persist, follow the official support flow on the Trezor website to avoid installing community-modified software.

Privacy and network exposure

Bridge is intentionally designed to minimize network exposure: it runs locally and does not transmit private keys to the internet. When a web app requests a signature, only the necessary transaction data is exchanged, and the user confirms the action on the device. This model reduces the risk that a remote attacker could capture your seed or sign transactions without your knowledge.

When to update or uninstall Bridge

Keep Bridge updated to receive new coin support and security fixes. Uninstall Bridge only when you’re sure you no longer need local app-to-device communication — for example, when switching to a different computer. Reinstall from the official site whenever you need to reconnect.

Integrations and developer notes

Developers building Web3 integrations should design their apps to request the least privilege necessary and present users with clear context for each signature request. Bridge’s local API is designed to be straightforward, but careful UI design and explicit messaging are essential to prevent social-engineering attacks where users approve malicious transactions by mistake.