Trezor Bridge®
What is Trezor Bridge®?
Trezor Bridge is a lightweight local application that enables secure communication between your Trezor hardware wallet and web browsers. When you use web-based wallet interfaces or decentralized applications (dApps) that support Trezor devices, Bridge acts as the official bridge software that makes USB and HID transports available to the browser while keeping your private keys isolated inside the hardware device.
- Allows modern browsers to discover and connect to Trezor devices over WebUSB, WebHID, or native transports.
- Ensures the device's firmware is used for all signing operations — private keys never leave the device.
- Provides a stable local endpoint so web apps don't require direct kernel-level drivers or complex permissions.
Installation & Setup
Follow these steps to install and configure Trezor Bridge on your machine. The instructions below are intentionally detailed so you can validate each step while maintaining a high-security posture.
1. Verify downloads
After downloading the installer for your platform, verify the file's integrity using the published SHA256 checksum and the vendor's signature if available. Never skip verification when dealing with cryptographic assets. On macOS and Linux, you can verify with sha256sum or shasum -a 256. On Windows, use PowerShell's Get-FileHash.
2. Install Bridge
- Windows: Run the .exe installer and follow the prompts. Approve any system dialogs to allow the installer to run the local service.
- macOS: Open the .dmg, drag the app to Applications, then grant permissions if the OS asks for kernel or device access.
- Linux: Use the AppImage or distribution package. Make the AppImage executable and run it. Some distributions may require udev rules for device access.
3. Connect your Trezor
Once Bridge is running, plug your Trezor into a USB port. When you visit a web app that supports Trezor, the app will prompt you to allow access to the device. Confirm the prompt on both the browser and the Trezor device display. Never approve unexpected prompts on a site you do not trust.
4. Browser configuration
Modern browsers increasingly restrict device access. Bridge provides a local server that the browser can use to route requests to the device. If your browser blocks access, check the site permissions and ensure Bridge is running. For some browsers, enabling WebHID or WebUSB in experimental flags might be necessary; consult official browser docs before changing flags.
Troubleshooting
If your browser cannot see the device or Bridge seems unresponsive, try these common fixes. Each step isolates a possible cause so you can restore a secure connection quickly.
Bridge not running
Ensure the Bridge service is running. On Windows, check Services or Task Manager; on macOS, check Activity Monitor; on Linux, check your process list. Restarting the service often resolves transient issues.
Device not listed in browser
Try a different USB port and a known-good cable. Avoid USB hubs between the device and the host machine. Some cables only provide power and not data.
Permissions or site blocked
Clear the site's permissions in the browser settings, then reload the page and retry the connect flow. If you previously denied access, the browser may remember that preference.
Operating system quirks
On some Linux setups you may need udev rules that map the device to a non-root user. On macOS, System Preferences > Security & Privacy may show prompts to allow Bridge to control the device — follow those steps carefully.
Security & Privacy Notes
Trezor Bridge runs locally and is designed to minimize external telemetry. Bridge's purpose is to let your browser send API calls to the device without exposing private keys. It is best practice to:
- Keep Bridge updated to the latest stable release to receive security fixes.
- Only download installers from official vendor repositories and verify signatures.
- Review any optional telemetry settings and disable them if you prefer no data collection.
Local-first design
Because Bridge operates on the local machine, it does not pool keys or transaction content to remote servers. When paired with a hardware wallet, signing operations always occur on the device's secure element. If you enable cloud backup features in other companion apps, make sure those backups are encrypted and you control the keys.
FAQ
Is Bridge required to use Trezor with web wallets?
Bridge simplifies browser integration, but some advanced setups may rely on native drivers or browser-only transports. For most users and modern browsers, installing Bridge provides the smoothest experience.
Does Bridge have access to my seed phrase?
No. Bridge is a transport layer and never accesses or transmits the seed phrase. The seed remains on the hardware device and is required only for recovery operations directly entered on a secure device.
How do I update Bridge?
Download the latest installer from the official source, verify signatures, and run the update. Some installations may offer an auto-update prompt; confirm it originates from the trusted vendor UI before proceeding.
Legal & Trademark
Trezor and related trademarks are the property of their respective owners. This template page is for informational and demonstration purposes only — replace any trademark usage with proper acknowledgements if you intend to publish publicly. Consult legal counsel for exact compliance guidance.