Trezor Bridge — Secure & Smooth Crypto Access

Trezor Bridge is the lightweight local service that lets your Trezor hardware wallet communicate reliably with desktop apps and compatible web pages. This guide explains what Bridge does, how to install and verify it, how to troubleshoot common issues, and best practices for secure use.

Quick overview

Trezor devices are designed so sensitive operations (key storage, signing) happen on the hardware itself. However, operating systems and browsers place restrictions on direct USB access. Trezor Bridge fills that gap: it runs on your computer, exposes a controlled local API for apps and websites, and forwards requests securely to your device. Think of Bridge as a translator and gatekeeper — it improves compatibility without exposing your seed or private keys.

What Bridge does (and doesn’t)

Supported platforms & browser notes

Bridge supports modern desktop environments:

Browsers differ in how they handle USB device access. WebUSB and WebHID are supported by some Chromium‑based browsers and Firefox with varying levels of native support. Bridge smooths cross‑browser compatibility for web flows that interact with Trezor Suite or other integrations.

Download & install — step by step

  1. Navigate to the official Trezor website and open the Bridge download page.
  2. Select the installer for your operating system and download it.
  3. Run the installer and follow the prompts. On macOS you may need to allow the app in System Preferences (Security & Privacy) if Gatekeeper blocks it.
  4. After installation, Bridge typically runs quietly in the background. You may see a tray icon or a small status indicator depending on the OS.

Tip: Keep Bridge updated — newer versions add improved browser compatibility and fixes for edge cases.

How to verify the installer

To avoid tampered installers, verify checksums or signatures when provided:

  1. On the official download page, look for a SHA256 checksum or PGP signature next to the installer link.
  2. After downloading, compute the checksum locally (e.g., shasum -a 256 filename on macOS/Linux or use a checksum utility on Windows) and compare it to the published value.
  3. If a PGP signature is published, verify it against Trezor’s official public key following their verification instructions.

If values don’t match, delete the download and obtain the installer again from the official source.

Using Bridge with Trezor Suite and web apps

Once Bridge is running, launching Trezor Suite or accessing a supported web app will typically detect the local service automatically. The connection flow usually looks like this:

  1. Open the app or web page and select "Connect device".
  2. The app queries the Bridge service to enumerate available Trezor devices attached via USB.
  3. When an app or web origin requests access, Bridge enforces permission checks. Grant access only when you recognize the app or URL.
  4. Confirm transaction details on the Trezor device before signing. The device’s display is the single source of truth for what you’re approving.

Always inspect the origin (domain name) and the permission prompt before granting access.

Troubleshooting common issues

Device not detected

Try these steps in order:

Bridge fails to start

Check for OS-level blocks (Gatekeeper on macOS, SmartScreen on Windows). Reinstall Bridge after temporarily allowing the installer, and then re-enable full security checks. Consult local logs (Bridge log files) for error messages to share with support if needed.

Browser cannot access device

Try a supported browser (Chromium-based or latest Firefox) and confirm that Bridge is running. Some browsers require enabling experimental flags for WebUSB; if possible, use the desktop app (Trezor Suite) which uses Bridge directly and avoids browser API inconsistencies.

Security & privacy considerations

Bridge is intentionally minimal: it should never access or store seeds or private keys. Key security guidelines:

Advanced & developer notes

Developers integrating with Trezor Bridge should follow the official SDKs and API references. Important points:

For testing, use Trezor’s simulator tools and developer documentation to validate integration behavior across platforms.

Updating & uninstalling Bridge

To update, download the latest installer from the official site and run it — Bridge will replace the previous installation. To remove Bridge, use your OS’s standard uninstall process and restart. After uninstall, verify that no Bridge process remains running and remove any leftover configuration if needed.

FAQ

Do I have to install Bridge to use my Trezor?

For a smooth desktop and web experience, Bridge is recommended. Some modern browser configurations can talk to the device via native WebUSB, but Bridge often improves compatibility and reduces setup friction.

Can Bridge access my recovery seed?

No. Bridge acts as a local proxy and never interacts with seed data. All signing and key storage are handled strictly on the Trezor hardware.

What if I suspect Bridge has been tampered with?

If you suspect tampering, uninstall Bridge, verify that the installer hashes from the official site match your download, and reinstall only from the official Trezor domain. Report suspicious activity to Trezor support and consider moving funds if you believe your environment was compromised.

Best practices summary