What is Trezor Bridge?
Trezor Bridge is a lightweight background service that enables secure communication between your Trezor hardware wallet and applications running in your web browser or on your desktop. It runs locally on your computer, exposing a limited, well-defined API so authorized apps can talk to your device without requiring direct USB access from the browser.
How it works
When installed, Bridge listens on the local machine and acts as a translator between web-based wallets (or Trezor Suite) and the Trezor device. All cryptographic operations—such as signing transactions and revealing public keys—remain on the device itself; Bridge simply relays user-approved commands. This architecture keeps sensitive keys offline while enabling convenient browser integrations.
Key features
- Local-only communication — Bridge does not expose your device to the network.
- Simple installation for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
- Automatic updates (optional) and signed releases for authenticity.
- Permissioned access — apps must request to use the device and operations require user confirmation on the Trezor hardware.
Install & update
Download the official Bridge installer for your operating system from the Trezor downloads page. Follow on-screen instructions to install. On first run, Bridge will create a local socket and prompt you to connect your device when an app requests access.
Using Bridge with Trezor Suite or web apps
After installing Bridge, open a compatible web app or Trezor Suite. The app will detect Bridge and prompt you to connect your Trezor. Always verify the UI prompts on your device and confirm the details shown on its screen before approving any action.
Security considerations
- Bridge runs locally and does not transmit private keys.
- Always verify the origin of the website or application requesting access.
- Confirm transaction details on your Trezor's screen — never rely solely on the host computer's display.
- Keep Bridge and your device firmware up to date. Only install signed releases from official sources.
Troubleshooting
If your browser or app does not detect the device:
- Make sure Bridge is installed and running (check system tray or background services).
- Disconnect/reconnect the Trezor device and approve the connection on-device.
- Restart your browser and the Trezor Suite or web app.
- On Linux, ensure appropriate udev rules are installed to allow access to USB devices.
- Re-install Bridge using the latest official package if problems persist.
Developer notes
Developers integrating with Bridge should follow the published API and use the official libraries. Maintain the principle that all signing must be performed on-device and ensure UIs present correct transaction details for user confirmation.