Introduction
What is Trezor Bridge®?
Trezor Bridge® is a lightweight software utility that runs on your desktop and provides a secure channel between your web browser and a physical Trezor hardware wallet. It handles device discovery, secure USB communication, and orchestrates requests from web apps (like wallet.trezor.io or third-party wallet interfaces) to the device.
Why do you need it?
Most modern web browsers restrict direct USB/HID access for security reasons. Trezor Bridge runs locally and exposes a safe API so that supported web interfaces can communicate with your hardware wallet without granting the browser low-level device access.
Target audience for this guide
- New users setting up Trezor for the first time.
- Experienced users troubleshooting connection issues.
- Developers integrating Trezor functionality into web apps.
Prerequisites
System and browser requirements
Before installing Trezor Bridge, confirm you have:
- A desktop or laptop running Windows, macOS, or a popular Linux distro.
- A modern browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Brave, Opera). Note: some browsers may require additional permissions.
- A Trezor hardware wallet (Model One, Model T, or later).
Safety checklist
Important: Always download Bridge from official sources. Do not install software from links you don't trust. Never share your recovery seed with anyone — Bridge never requests this information.
Recommended backup
Before any firmware interactions, confirm your recovery seed is safely backed up offline. If you're provisioning a new device, write down your seed on the supplied card and store it securely.
Download & Install
Where to get Trezor Bridge
Download the official installer from Trezor's website. If you prefer CLI or packaging systems on Linux, consult the official instructions for your distribution.
Windows
Run the downloaded installer (.exe) and follow on-screen prompts. Windows might ask for administrator permission to install necessary drivers — allow it only if the installer originates from the official site.
macOS
Open the .dmg package, drag the Bridge app to your Applications folder, and run it. macOS Gatekeeper may ask for explicit permission the first time — allow the app in System Preferences if required.
Linux
Linux packages vary. Use the distribution package (e.g., .deb or .rpm) when available or follow the manual installation steps provided by Trezor for your flavor of Linux.
Example: verify installer signature (optional)
# On Linux or macOS, after downloading:
gpg --verify trezor-bridge-x.y.z.tar.gz.asc trezor-bridge-x.y.z.tar.gz
Only proceed if the signature matches the vendor's key fingerprint.
Setup & First Connection
Starting Bridge
After installation, Bridge typically starts automatically and runs in the background. Look for a small status icon in your system tray / menu bar. If it doesn't start, launch it manually from your Applications menu.
Connecting your Trezor device
- Unlock your desktop and connect the Trezor to a USB port with a data-capable cable (not just charging).
- Open your preferred browser and visit the compatible web wallet (for example, Trezor's official web interface).
- The web app will prompt you to connect to Bridge and to authorize communication with your device. Accept the browser prompts.
Browser permission prompts
Some browsers display native permission dialogs for USB/HID access. Grant the permissions only if you trust the site you are using. After granting, the website should detect your Trezor and present the device UI for next steps (PIN, passphrase, etc.).
Using passphrases and PINs
When prompted on the device, enter your PIN using the device screen (Model T) or the web UI/host system for Model One (depending on firmware). Use on-device confirmation for high assurance of authenticity.
Troubleshooting
Common connectivity issues
- No device found: Ensure Bridge is running and not blocked by firewall rules.
- Browser still can’t connect: Try closing the browser completely and reopening it. Some browsers need a restart to detect the service.
- USB errors: Try a different USB cable and port. Avoid USB hubs — connect directly to the machine.
Windows driver problems
If Windows reports driver issues, reinstall Bridge and accept the driver installation prompt. Check Device Manager for unknown devices and update drivers via the Bridge installer.
macOS permission issues
macOS Sonoma and later tightened system permission policies. If Bridge fails to start, open System Settings → Privacy & Security and allow the app if it's blocked.
Linux udev rules
On Linux you may need to install or reload udev rules so non-root users can access the device. Typical steps:
sudo cp 51-trezor.rules /etc/udev/rules.d/
sudo udevadm control --reload-rules && sudo udevadm trigger
Still stuck? Logs & diagnostics
Collect Bridge logs and include them when asking for support. Bridge logs show connection attempts and error codes that help diagnose issues quickly.
Advanced Tips & Best Practices
Security-first habits
Keep Bridge and your device firmware up to date. Only connect to trusted wallet interfaces and always verify domain names before authorizing transactions. Consider using a dedicated machine for large balances.
Use with multiple browsers
Bridge supports multiple browsers simultaneously in most cases, but avoid opening multiple wallet sessions that might compete for device access. If you experience race conditions, close other wallet tabs.
Developer integration
Developers can interact with Bridge via its local HTTP API (documented by Trezor). If building integrations, follow these guidelines:
- Use the official libraries (e.g., trezor-connect or trezor.js) rather than speaking to Bridge directly unless you have a specific need.
- Respect user consent flows — always request permission and explain why the app needs to communicate with the device.
Headless environments
In automated or headless setups (CI, remote servers), avoid storing private keys on the machine—use the hardware wallet for signing operations and ensure the machine is not directly accessible to external users.
Security Considerations
What Bridge does not do
Bridge is not a key manager — it never exposes your recovery seed or private keys. All signing occurs on the Trezor device. Bridge is only a transport layer between the browser and the device.
Trust model
The minimal trust model: you must trust the device firmware and the Bridge binary. The web app is untrusted by default — the device should always show transaction details to confirm authenticity before any signing.
Malware mitigation
Use OS-level protections (up-to-date antivirus, limited user privileges) and avoid running untrusted software alongside your wallet. If you suspect compromise, stop using the machine and move to a clean environment for recovery.
FAQs
Does Bridge phone or tablet support exist?
Bridge is primarily a desktop utility. For mobile, Trezor has mobile-friendly options and third-party apps that use WebUSB or similar transports — mobile support depends on the platform and browser support for USB/HID.
Can I use Bridge without the internet?
Yes — Bridge operates locally. Only the wallet interface may require internet to fetch blockchain data. Transactions can be constructed offline and signed on-device if desired.
How to update Bridge?
Check the Bridge app UI for update prompts, or periodically visit the official download page. On managed systems, use the available package manager to update systematically.
Examples & Code Snippets
Simple curl (diagnostic) example
Bridge exposes a local API on a port (commonly localhost). Use this simple request to check Bridge health (adjust port if your install uses a different one):
# Check Trezor Bridge health (example)
curl -s http://127.0.0.1:21325/ || echo "Bridge not responding"
Developer note — don't call this from untrusted webpages
The local Bridge API should only be accessed by trusted apps. Browsers implement cross-origin protections and Bridge requires an explicit handshaking step before a site can talk to the device.
Using official JS libraries
For most integrations use the official libraries which abstract away the transport details and provide higher-level primitives for key derivation and signing. This lowers the chance of making security-sensitive mistakes.
Useful Links & Resources
Below are helpful links — the first two are directly relevant to Trezor Bridge and device support. The following ten entries are labeled as "Office" links as requested (they point to Microsoft Office landing page as general-purpose external resources you can use in office workflows).
Accessibility, Closing & Final Checklist
Accessibility notes
The Bridge tray icon and the web wallet UIs vary. If you rely on assistive tech, test the wallet UI for compatibility and consider using keyboard-driven device flows where possible.
Final checklist before major operations
- Confirm Bridge is running and reachable (system tray icon).
- Confirm the web app's domain is correct before authorizing.
- Verify on-device details for every transaction before confirming.
- Back up recovery seed securely and test your backup restoration process in a safe environment.
Closing remarks
Trezor Bridge is a small but critical component in keeping your hardware wallet usable with modern web interfaces. Keep software updated, follow the security checklist, and you’ll get many years of secure wallet operations. If you need tailored help with OS-specific steps or logs, collect the error output and device model, and consider vendor support channels.