Trezor Bridge Guide

Secure Connection for Trezor Hardware Wallet — comprehensive Trezor Bridge instructions

Introduction — What is Trezor Bridge?

Trezor Bridge is an official communication layer that allows your Trezor hardware wallet to interact securely with web-based wallets and desktop applications. The bridge is a small background service that enables browsers and apps to talk to Trezor devices over USB while providing user consent prompts and a safer connection than older alternatives. In this guide you'll learn how to install, configure, secure, and troubleshoot Trezor Bridge so you can connect your Trezor device reliably and securely.

Contents
  1. Why Trezor Bridge matters
  2. Supported platforms
  3. Installation steps
  4. Common issues & troubleshooting
  5. Advanced configuration & security
  6. Developer notes
  7. FAQs

Why Trezor Bridge matters

The Trezor Bridge provides a controlled, permissioned channel between your Trezor hardware and host applications. Historically, direct USB access from browsers posed security and compatibility challenges. Bridge improves compatibility across browsers and operating systems, reduces the need for browser-specific plugins, and establishes clearer user consent flows. When you install Trezor Bridge, your system runs a local service that the browser communicates with, instead of relying on risky or deprecated APIs.

What Trezor Bridge does (and doesn't)

  • Does: Facilitate communication between host applications and your Trezor device using secure, signed protocols.
  • Does: Provide a local, private connection that is not exposed to external networks.
  • Doesn't: Store your recovery seed or private keys — those remain on the device.
  • Doesn't: Replace the need for careful UX verification like checking the Trezor device screen for transaction details.

Supported platforms

Trezor Bridge supports major desktop platforms — Windows, macOS, and Linux distributions. Most modern browsers are compatible when using Bridge, but some setups may prefer WebUSB (supported in Chromium-based browsers) as an alternative. Use the official Trezor download page for the latest supported versions and signed packages; avoid mirrored or third-party downloads.

Installation & Setup

Step 1 — Download from official source

Always download Trezor Bridge from the official Trezor website. This ensures you receive signed installers and avoids tampered packages. Locate the bridge installer under downloads or support sections on the official site. Your browser may warn about running unsigned applications — always verify the publisher as 'SatoshiLabs' (or according to the official signature guidance).

Step 2 — Run the installer

Run the installer with administrative privileges when prompted. On macOS you may need to allow a kernel extension or grant permission in System Preferences depending on your OS version. After installation, the bridge typically starts automatically and runs as a background service. You can verify the service is active via system process lists or by visiting a Trezor-supporting web page that attempts to connect to your device.

Step 3 — Connect your Trezor device

Use the original USB cable included with your Trezor if possible. Connect the device and allow the bridge and browser to present permission prompts. The Trezor device will show a welcome message and often a fingerprint or ID used for verification. Confirm on-device prompts before proceeding.

Step 4 — Browser integration

When using web-based wallets that rely on Trezor Bridge, the site should show a connection prompt or a request to connect to the Trezor Bridge service. Grant permission only on trusted sites and verify the URL carefully. After connection, interfaces like Trezor Suite or third-party wallets will allow you to view addresses, prepare transactions, and request signatures. However, the final confirmation must always happen on the Trezor device display for security.

Pro tip: On Windows, the bridge service is often visible in the notification area. On macOS and Linux, check system activity monitors or service managers to confirm the bridge is running if you encounter connection issues.

Common problems & troubleshooting

Problem: Browser cannot detect Trezor

Causes may include outdated bridge version, blocked USB access, incompatible browser, or driver issues. Start by ensuring Trezor Bridge is installed and running. Try a different USB port or cable and a different browser. For Windows, check Device Manager for unknown devices or driver warnings. If your browser supports WebUSB you can try connecting via WebUSB as an alternative, but only on trusted pages.

Problem: Bridge fails to install or starts then exits

On some systems insufficient permissions or interfering security software may block the bridge. Temporarily disable third-party firewalls or antivirus (only if safe to do so) and reinstall the bridge with administrator privileges. Check system logs for error messages produced by the bridge installer.

Problem: Multiple wallets cannot connect simultaneously

Some older versions of Trezor Bridge limit concurrent connections. If you need multiple apps simultaneously, update to the latest bridge version and prefer Trezor Suite which is designed for concurrent usage. Avoid using multiple wallet extensions that may conflict for USB access.

Problem: Permissions prompt not appearing

Browsers may suppress pop-ups or permission dialogs; check popup settings and ensure the site's URL is whitelisted. If using browser extensions that control device permissions, disable them during setup. Restart the browser after Bridge installation to ensure detection.

Advanced configuration & security

Running Trezor Bridge on headless or server systems

While not recommended for typical consumer setups, advanced users may wish to run Bridge on headless systems to integrate with remote services. In such cases, do not expose the bridge service to public networks — bind it to localhost only and use secure tunnels if remote access is necessary. Evaluate risks carefully and prefer hardware security modules or purpose-built signing infrastructure for production use.

Command-line and logging

Trezor Bridge can emit logs useful for debugging. Use the OS-specific locations for log files or run the bridge from the command line to capture output. Avoid sharing logs that may contain sensitive identifiers publicly. When contacting support, include logs only via official support channels and after redacting anything sensitive.

Keeping the bridge updated

Install bridge updates from the official Trezor download channel. Updates may include security fixes and compatibility improvements. Configure your system to check for updates regularly and, if possible, prefer signed packages or package manager distributions that verify integrity.

Security checklist for Trezor Bridge

  1. Download only from official Trezor sources.
  2. Verify installer signatures when available.
  3. Run Bridge as a local, non-network-exposed service (default behavior).
  4. Confirm all transaction details on the Trezor hardware display before approving.
  5. Keep OS and browser up to date to avoid USB stack vulnerabilities.

Developer notes & integration tips

Developers integrating Trezor Bridge should follow the official API and SDK guidelines. Use well-maintained client libraries and avoid reimplementing low-level USB protocols. Respect user consent flows and ensure your UI guides users to verify on-device information. When testing, use hardware in a controlled environment and never hard-code seeds or private keys into development builds.

// Example: pseudocode to detect Bridge availability
if (bridgeAvailable()) {
  // request connection
  connectToDevice();
} else {
  // prompt user to install Bridge
  showInstallInstructions();
}

For browser-based integrations, prefer WebUSB when available for direct browser-device communication. However, WebUSB may be restricted in some browsers and platforms — Bridge remains the most broadly compatible approach. When shipping integration code, ensure proper error handling for device disconnection, user rejection, and concurrency conflicts.

Compatibility

Bridge increases cross-platform compatibility, reducing the complexity of connecting Trezor devices to various host environments.

Security

Bridge acts as a local intermediary while keys and signatures always remain on the hardware—Bridge does not hold or transmit private keys.

Reliability

Designed to handle USB interruptions and provide clearer error messages for improved troubleshooting.

Frequently Asked Questions — Trezor Bridge

1. What is the difference between Trezor Bridge and WebUSB?

Trezor Bridge is a local service that enables broader browser and OS compatibility by routing communication via a background process. WebUSB is a browser API that allows direct USB access; it is supported in Chromium-based browsers and can be used without Bridge. However, WebUSB support varies by platform, and Bridge remains the recommended solution for consistent cross-platform behavior.

2. Is Trezor Bridge safe?

Yes — when installed from the official source. Trezor Bridge runs locally and communicates only with the connected Trezor device and the browser or wallet application. It does not transmit your recovery seed or private keys. Always verify installers and download from the official Trezor website to ensure authenticity.

3. My OS blocks the installation. What should I do?

Grant administrative privileges to the installer and, if necessary, allow the software in system security preferences. Temporarily disabling overzealous third-party security tools may help. If the problem persists, consult the official Trezor support documentation for OS-specific steps.

4. Can Trezor Bridge access the internet or my files?

No. Trezor Bridge only facilitates local communication between the host and the hardware device. It doesn't need access to the internet to function and should not access your files. Treat any requests for file or network access with suspicion and verify them through official documentation.

5. How do I update Trezor Bridge?

Download the latest installer from the official Trezor website and run it to update the bridge. Some package managers on Linux distribute bridge updates; check your distribution's repositories and Trezor's official guidance. Always verify the integrity of update packages.

Additional resources & next steps

To keep your Trezor environment healthy and secure, follow these ongoing practices:

Contacting support

If you encounter unresolved issues, collect debug logs and reach out to official Trezor support channels. Do not send your recovery seed or private keys to support — no official support will ever ask for them.