What is Trezor Bridge?
Trezor Bridge is a small helper application that allows your web browser to communicate with a Trezor hardware wallet connected via USB. It acts as a secure bridge between the device and browser-based wallet interfaces: instead of the browser accessing the USB device directly, the browser talks to Bridge which manages secure communication channels. This makes the experience smoother for web apps while keeping the device isolated and protected.
Installing & running Bridge
Installing Trezor Bridge is straightforward. Download the official installer from Trezor's site for your operating system, run the installer, and follow on-screen instructions. On most systems Bridge runs in the background and exposes a local service the browser can reach. After installation, connect your Trezor device; the first time a web wallet tries to access the device, you may be prompted to allow the connection.
Quick checklist:
- Download only from the official Trezor website or trusted package managers.
- Run the installer and allow the service to run in the background.
- Reboot or relaunch your browser if a newly installed Bridge isn’t recognized.
# macOS (example) Open the downloaded .dmg and follow the installer. # Windows (example) Run the .exe and accept prompts.
Using Bridge with web wallets
When Bridge is running, compatible web wallets detect your Trezor automatically. You will still confirm transactions on the device itself — Bridge only relays messages. This preserves the security model: private keys never leave the hardware wallet. Typical steps to use a web wallet:
- Open the web wallet interface (e.g., wallet website).
- Choose "Connect hardware wallet" and select Trezor.
- Follow prompts; allow the browser to communicate via Bridge.
- Confirm addresses and transactions on your Trezor device display.
Pro tip: keep Bridge up-to-date; new versions can add features and fix compatibility problems with updated browsers.
Security considerations
Bridge itself is a convenience layer — security is still anchored in your Trezor device and its PIN/seed. Treat Bridge as a system service: install trusted versions only, and avoid unknown third-party forks. When connecting to websites, verify the URL, use HTTPS, and confirm any transaction details shown on the device screen. If an unexpected action asks for your seed or recovery words, stop immediately: neither Bridge nor web wallets should ever request your seed.
Remember: your recovery seed is the ultimate key — never type or share it online.
Troubleshooting common issues
Bridge usually "just works", but if you run into trouble, these steps often resolve problems:
- Restart the browser or computer — sometimes the service needs a fresh start.
- Check that Bridge is running (look for an icon or a background process).
- Reinstall Bridge using the latest official installer.
- Try a different USB cable or port; some cables are power-only and don't support data.
- Disable browser extensions that interfere with sites (ad-blockers, privacy tools) temporarily.
If issues persist, consult official support documentation and community forums — but never provide your seed to anyone claiming to help.
FAQ — quick answers
Do I need Bridge for mobile? Some mobile flows use different protocols (like WebUSB alternatives). Bridge is primarily for desktop browsers.
Can I run Bridge offline? Bridge requires your computer to run it locally and doesn't upload your keys — it acts as a local service. Updates require internet access.
Is Bridge open source? Parts of the Trezor ecosystem are open source. Check official repositories for details and verify releases against published checksums if you want extra assurance.