Trezor Bridge®

Secure local bridge to connect your hardware wallet with web applications

Overview — what Bridge does and why it matters

Trezor Bridge is a small local application whose sole purpose is to provide a reliable, secure transport layer between your Trezor hardware wallet and modern web browsers. Browsers place strict controls on USB/HID access; Bridge offers a consistent local endpoint so web-based wallets can request signatures while ensuring the device's secure element remains the only place where private keys are used.

Local-first
Runs on your machine—no key material leaves the device.
Cross-platform
Installers for Windows, macOS, and Linux; PWA and browser-integration-friendly.
Simple to use
Standardizes browser-device communication without kernel drivers.

How it works (high level)

Bridge listens locally for requests from authorized web origins, routes transport commands (WebUSB/WebHID) to the connected device, and returns responses. Bridge itself does not store seeds or private keys; signing commands are relayed to the device which displays transaction details for the user to review and approve.

Downloads

Only download Bridge from the official vendor website or the verified release repository. Attackers sometimes host tampered installers on third-party sites—always verify checksums and signatures before installation.

After download: verify SHA256 checksums and any available code signatures. If you cannot verify, do not run the installer.

Installation & quick start

Below are condensed, security-focused steps. Follow vendor-provided official docs for model-specific instructions and edge cases.

Verify

macOS/Linux: shasum -a 256 path/to/file or sha256sum. Windows PowerShell: Get-FileHash -Algorithm SHA256 path\to\file. For signatures: import the vendor public key and use gpg --verify.

Windows

  1. Run the signed .exe installer; approve UAC and confirm the publisher.
  2. Allow the Bridge service to run and add any local firewall permissions if prompted.
  3. Open a supported web wallet and follow the connect flow.

macOS

  1. Open the provided .dmg and copy the app to Applications.
  2. Grant any requested device permissions in System Settings when prompted.
  3. Open your browser and accept the device access requests during pairing.

Linux

  1. Make AppImage executable (chmod +x) and run, or install distribution packages provided by the vendor.
  2. Install udev rules if required so non-root users can access the USB device.
  3. Start Bridge and connect your device via the web wallet.

Security & privacy notes

Bridge is intentionally narrow: it provides transport only and does not manage keys. Still, security depends on the whole stack—device firmware, host OS, browser behavior, and user attention.

  • Verify everything: always check checksums and digital signatures.
  • Keep firmware updated: device firmware fixes are critical and should be applied after reviewing release notes.
  • Trusted hosts: only use your hardware wallet on machines you control; avoid public or shared systems.
  • Limit permissions: revoke site-level device permissions when not in use and avoid unnecessary browser extensions.
  • On-device confirmation: confirm transaction details on the device before approving—do not rely solely on the host UI.
Bridge never requests or transmits your recovery seed. It relays commands; signing operations always occur on the device.

Troubleshooting

Most issues are resolved by checking cables, permissions, and the Bridge service status. The steps below isolate common causes.

Device not detected

Try a different USB cable and port (avoid hubs). Ensure the device is powered and not in a special mode. On Linux, ensure udev rules are installed; on macOS confirm System Settings permissions.

Browser blocks access

Clear site permissions for the wallet origin and retry the connect flow. Some browsers show small device permission indicators near the address bar. If you previously denied access, the browser may remember that choice.

Bridge service not running

Restart the Bridge app. On Windows check Services or Task Manager; on macOS check Activity Monitor; on Linux inspect the process list or system logs. Reinstall only after verifying the installer signatures.

Checksum mismatch

If the checksum does not match the published value, delete the download, re-download from the official source, and verify again. If it still mismatches, contact vendor support and do not run the binary.

Developer & Integrator notes

Integrations should always verify origin, run in secure contexts (HTTPS), and prompt users for explicit consent. Log minimal information and never log raw transaction payloads or sensitive data. For advanced integrations, prefer ephemeral session tokens and rate-limit device access requests per origin.

Trezor Bridge® | Connect Your Trezor to Web Browsers

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