Your secure bridge between Trezor hardware wallets and desktop or web-based cryptocurrency apps.
What is Trezor Bridge?
Trezor Bridge is the official communication layer developed by SatoshiLabs that enables modern desktop applications and web browsers to talk to Trezor hardware wallets. It acts as a small local service that runs on your computer, mediating USB communication between the browser (or desktop wallet) and the device. Because browsers limit direct access to USB devices for security reasons, Bridge provides a controlled, secure channel so you can manage accounts, sign transactions, and interact with decentralized applications (dApps) without exposing your private keys.
Why you need it (desktop & web)
Whether you're using a native desktop wallet or a web-based wallet interface, the Trezor device itself never leaves the hardware — only signed data does. Bridge is required when using:
Official Trezor Suite (desktop application) for managing accounts and firmware updates.
Web wallet interfaces and dApps that integrate Trezor for on-chain signing.
Third-party wallets and tools that advertise Trezor integration through the browser.
In short: Bridge makes secure interactions smooth and browser-friendly without compromising the air-gapped nature of your private keys.
How it works — the basics
When you install and run Trezor Bridge, it starts a lightweight background service on your machine. Web pages or desktop apps connect to this local service over a small, secured API. The Bridge then relays commands to your connected Trezor device via USB (or sometimes via WebUSB where supported) and returns signed responses back to the application. All critical operations — e.g., revealing a public key or signing a transaction — must be physically confirmed on the Trezor device itself; Bridge cannot approve anything by itself.
Installation & compatibility
Installing Bridge is straightforward: download the official installer for your operating system and follow simple prompts. It supports major platforms (Windows, macOS, Linux) and integrates with popular browsers. A few practical notes:
Windows: Run the installer as an administrator when prompted. Windows Defender or other security software may flag new services; allow the installer if you downloaded Bridge from the official source.
macOS: You may need to permit the Bridge service in System Preferences (Security & Privacy) after installing.
Linux: For many distributions you can use a provided package or follow the command-line instructions — you might need to add a udev rule to allow USB access without root.
Keep Bridge updated. New releases often include compatibility fixes for browsers, support for new devices, and stability improvements.
Security & privacy considerations
Security is central to how Trezor and Bridge are designed. Important points:
The private keys remain on the hardware device at all times; Bridge never has access to them.
All user confirmations for sensitive operations are performed on the Trezor device screen; an attacker cannot sign transactions remotely via Bridge alone.
Only local applications that you authorize can communicate with Bridge. Avoid installing third-party software from untrusted sources that might try to interact with your device.
For privacy, Bridge acts as a local-only service and does not transmit your keys or transaction data to any external servers by itself. However, the wallets and services you use in conjunction with Bridge may communicate with remote nodes or indexers; understand the privacy model of each wallet or dApp you use.
Troubleshooting common issues
Problems connecting a Trezor to Bridge most often stem from driver or permission issues, an outdated Bridge version, or browser restrictions. Quick checks:
Make sure the device is unlocked and the screen is on when attempting to connect.
Confirm Bridge is running (look for the Bridge icon or check running services/processes).
Restart your browser and, if needed, the Bridge service or computer.
If on Linux, verify udev rules and USB permissions are correctly set.
Update Bridge and your wallet interface to the latest stable versions.
Best practices
Download Bridge only from official channels to avoid tampered installers.
Use strong passphrases and keep your recovery seed backed up offline.
Confirm every transaction on the physical device and verify the details shown on its screen.
Regularly update both your Trezor device firmware and the Bridge software.
When finished, unplug the device to minimize attack surface on shared computers.
Top 5 FAQs — Trezor Bridge
1. Do I need Trezor Bridge to use my Trezor with a web wallet?
Yes — Bridge (or an equivalent browser bridge) is typically required for secure communication between the browser and your Trezor device. It provides the local API layer that web wallets use to talk to hardware wallets safely.
2. Is Bridge safe? Can it access my private keys?
Bridge is a local communication service and cannot access your private keys. Keys never leave the device. Bridge only forwards requests and responses; all critical authorizations occur on the Trezor device screen and require physical confirmation.
3. What if my browser won't connect after installing Bridge?
Try restarting your browser and the Bridge service. Confirm that you installed the correct Bridge version for your OS. On some systems you may need to grant permissions or add udev rules (Linux). Reinstalling the latest Bridge build often resolves persistent issues.
4. Can I use Bridge on multiple computers?
Yes — install Bridge on each computer you intend to use. The Trezor device itself is portable: you can connect it to any machine with Bridge and a compatible wallet, so long as you control what software you run on that machine.
5. Will Bridge expose my transaction history or balances?
No — Bridge itself does not upload your transaction history. Wallets and services you connect to may fetch account balances and transaction history from block explorers or nodes. If privacy is a concern, choose wallets that support connecting to your own full node or privacy-focused backends.