Trezor Bridge® — Connect Your Trezor to the Web

Trezor Bridge® is the lightweight, local helper app that enables secure communication between your Trezor hardware wallet and web-based wallet interfaces or browser versions of Trezor Suite. If you use a web browser to manage crypto with a Trezor device, Bridge is often the missing piece that makes your device detectable, usable, and safe to operate. This guide explains what Bridge does, when you need it, how to install and use it, why it’s safe, and how to troubleshoot common problems.

What exactly is Trezor Bridge?

At a high level, Trezor Bridge is a small background program that runs on your computer. It acts as a secure, local proxy between your operating system/browser and the USB interface exposed by a Trezor hardware wallet. Browsers intentionally restrict direct low-level USB access for security reasons; Bridge fills that gap by offering a controlled, auditable channel for web apps to request device actions (for example, to show addresses or ask the device to sign a transaction). Crucially, Bridge never touches your private keys or recovery seed — it only passes messages to and from the hardware device.

Why you might need Bridge

• Using a browser interface: If you prefer web-based Trezor Suite or other DApps that support hardware wallets, Bridge makes those sites detect and talk to your Trezor.
• Compatibility: Some browsers and operating-system combinations don’t support direct WebUSB communication with hardware wallets — Bridge provides a stable, cross-platform solution.
• Legacy support: For older setups or specialized workflows, Bridge provides reliable connectivity where other methods may fail.

How Trezor Bridge works (simple)

1. Bridge runs on your computer and listens on a secure local channel.
2. A browser-based wallet or Trezor web interface sends a request to that local channel to access a Trezor device.
3. Bridge forwards the request to the connected hardware wallet via USB.
4. The Trezor hardware displays transaction details or addresses on its screen for you to verify and confirm.
5. When you confirm on-device, Bridge transfers the signed response back to the web app, which broadcasts it to the network.

At no point does Bridge expose the recovery seed or private keys to the browser or the host computer. Your device remains the single source of truth for signing and verification.

Installing Trezor Bridge — step-by-step

The installation process is intentionally simple and quick. Always download Bridge from the official source to avoid phishing software.

1. Visit the official Trezor download page. Locate the Bridge installer that matches your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux).
2. Download the installer (typically an .exe on Windows, .pkg/.dmg on macOS, or a binary/package for Linux).
3. Run the installer and accept the permissions the OS requests. Bridge installs a small background process and usually does not require a reboot.
4. Restart your browser after installation. Connect your Trezor device and open the web interface; Bridge should be detected automatically.

Security model — why Bridge is safe

Bridge was designed to preserve the strongest security property of Trezor devices: private keys never leave the hardware. Some important security points:

• Local-only communication: Bridge runs locally on your machine and does not require cloud services.
• No key exposure: Seeds and private keys are generated and stored only on the Trezor device.
• On-device verification: All sensitive confirmations (addresses, amounts, contract data) appear on your Trezor screen and must be manually approved.
• Open-source: Bridge’s codebase is available for audit, which helps security researchers and the community validate its behavior.

Using Bridge with popular browsers

Most modern Chromium-based browsers (Chrome, Edge, Brave, Opera) and Firefox work well with Bridge. Some browsers also have built-in WebUSB support that can bypass Bridge, but that path can be less reliable across operating systems. Using Bridge provides a consistent experience: you install once and your chosen web wallet will detect your device across browser updates.

Troubleshooting — device not detected?

If your browser or web interface doesn’t detect the Trezor device after installing Bridge, try the following:

• Unplug and re-plug the device; try a different USB cable and port (prefer a port directly on your PC, not a cheap hub).
• Restart the Bridge process or reboot your computer.
• Make sure no other wallet software is currently connected to the device — only one app can typically access the device at a time.
• Update Bridge to the latest version and ensure your Trezor device firmware is up to date (updates are performed through Trezor Suite).
• On some systems, firewall or antivirus software can block local services — ensure Bridge is allowed in your security software.

When not to use Bridge

If you prefer the desktop Trezor Suite app, you can avoid Bridge entirely — the desktop app handles USB communication internally. Also, if you work in high-security environments that require strict software inventories, consult your security team before installing new background services.

Best practices when using Bridge

• Download Bridge only from the official Trezor website.
• Keep Bridge and your hardware firmware updated to receive security fixes and improvements.
• Always verify transaction details on the Trezor device screen, not just in the browser.
• Do not enter your recovery seed into any computer or browser — keep it offline and secure.
• If you doubt an installer, stop and re-download from the official source or use the desktop Suite instead.

Frequently asked questions (short)

Do I need Bridge if I use the desktop app?

No — the desktop Trezor Suite includes native USB support. Bridge is mainly for browser-based workflows.

Does Bridge collect data?

No — it’s a local helper that does not store wallets, seeds, or personally identifiable data for remote use.

Can I uninstall Bridge later?

Yes. If you switch fully to the desktop app, you can remove Bridge without affecting the keys stored on your Trezor device.

Conclusion

Trezor Bridge® is a minimal, secure, and practical solution for connecting your hardware wallet to web-based crypto interfaces. It preserves the fundamental security guarantees of Trezor devices while enabling the convenience of browser wallets and DApps. When installed from verified sources and used alongside on-device confirmations and best practices, Bridge makes web-based interactions with your Trezor safe and reliable.