Trezor Bridge

Secure Connection for Trezor Hardware Wallets

Introduction

What is Trezor Bridge?

Trezor Bridge is an application that facilitates secure, encrypted communication between your browser and a Trezor hardware wallet connected via USB. It acts as the intermediary that allows web wallets, wallet apps and management tools to detect, talk to, and operate your Trezor device while preserving strong security and user consent.

Why it matters

Short note

Bridge ensures that private keys never leave the device and that signing operations remain isolated, while providing a modern, browser-friendly interface for everyday crypto tasks.

Open in PowerPoint (web) Trezor Official

How Trezor Bridge Works

Architecture

Trezor Bridge runs as a small local service on the user’s machine. When a supported web application requests access, the browser talks to Bridge over a local endpoint; Bridge then forwards approved commands to the device via USB. This split keeps browser sandboxing and device-level security separate.

Core responsibilities

Device discovery, message forwarding, transport encryption, update management, and user permission prompts are the main pieces of Bridge’s role in the stack.

Security Model

Threat surface & protections

Trezor Bridge is intentionally minimal. It does not have access to private keys, seed phrases, or PINs. All cryptographic signing is performed inside the hardware wallet; Bridge only transmits signed data when the device permits. User confirmations on the device display are the primary trust anchor.

Best practices

Keep Bridge updated, download only from official sources, and confirm on-device prompts. Use passphrases and PINs for additional layers of security.

Security note

Local attackers with elevated privileges could target Bridge—treat your OS as part of the threat model and apply OS-level hardening.

Installation & Setup

Getting started

Download Trezor Bridge from the official Trezor website for Windows, macOS or Linux. Run the installer and follow on-screen prompts. After installation, open your preferred browser and visit your wallet interface; the site will detect Bridge and request permission to communicate with the device.

Common steps

Install Bridge application.
Connect Trezor via USB.
Open wallet web app and allow access.

Note

If browser prompts for permissions, allow the connection for your session, and confirm operations on-device.

Troubleshooting

Typical issues and fixes

If your browser doesn’t detect the device: restart Bridge, reconnect the USB cable, try another port, or reinstall Bridge. Disable conflicting browser extensions and ensure the device firmware is up to date. On Linux, check udev rules and permissions.

Advanced tips

Use official logs and diagnostics provided by Trezor tools to gather details before seeking support. Never share your seed or PIN when requesting help.

Support

Contact Trezor support via their official channels; avoid third-party repair vendors for cryptographic devices.

Updates & Compatibility

Software lifecycle

Trezor Bridge is maintained to support new browser releases and device firmware. Keep both Bridge and device firmware updated to maintain compatibility and security. Bridge is designed to be cross-platform and to work with major browsers that support local endpoints.

Versioning

Check release notes before upgrading in enterprise environments; test on a secondary machine when possible.

UX and Privacy Considerations

User experience

Bridge improves the user experience by removing the need for legacy browser plugins while retaining explicit on-device confirmations. The local service model avoids exposing sensitive flows to remote servers.

Privacy

Bridge does not collect or transmit personal or key material. When using third-party web wallets, review their privacy policies—Bridge only handles transport, not storage or analytics.

Pro tip

Prefer reputable wallet interfaces and consider running operations offline when performing high-value transactions.

Enterprise & Advanced Use

Integration scenarios

Enterprises can integrate Trezor devices into signing workflows, cold storage operations, and multi-sig setups. Bridge can be scripted or managed in controlled environments, but must be distributed and updated securely to all endpoints.

Operational security

Use strict OS hardening, access controls, and monitoring for machines handling hardware wallets. Document and audit any automated processes that interact with Bridge.

Compliance

Ensure procedures align with internal governance and regulatory obligations when hardware keys control custody of assets.

Comparison & Alternatives

Bridge vs Direct WebUSB

Some browsers support WebUSB directly, but Bridge delivers broader compatibility and avoids the need for each web app to implement low-level transport handling. Alternatives include vendor-specific connectors; Bridge emphasizes a unified, trusted local transport.

When to choose Bridge

Choose Bridge for interoperability across browsers, platforms, and wallet interfaces—especially when supporting end users who expect plug-and-play behavior.

Summary & Resources

Key takeaways

Trezor Bridge is the lightweight, secure bridge between browsers and hardware wallets. It preserves device-level security while making user workflows smooth. Keep software up to date, verify on-device prompts, and use official sources for downloads and support.