Trezor® Bridge Guide

Secure Connection for Your Hardware Wallet — install, configure, and troubleshoot Trezor Bridge for a reliable browser-to-device link.

Introduction

Trezor® Bridge is a lightweight background service that enables communication between your Trezor hardware wallet and web applications (like Trezor Suite or supported third-party apps). Unlike browser extensions that talk directly to web pages, Bridge runs locally and provides a secure channel for device discovery and interaction.

Why Trezor® Bridge matters

Without Bridge, your browser usually cannot access Trezor over USB because modern browsers restrict direct device access for security reasons. Bridge solves that problem while ensuring messages are proxied safely, requiring explicit user confirmation on the device for every sensitive operation.

Installation & Setup

Installing Bridge is quick. This section walks through the process step-by-step for Windows, macOS and Linux, plus common installation checks you should run afterward.

Step 1 — Download

Always download Trezor® Bridge from the official Trezor website or the Trezor Suite installer bundle. Avoid third-party links to prevent counterfeit installers.

Step 2 — Run the installer

  • Windows: run the .exe and follow on-screen prompts (you may need admin privileges).
  • macOS: open the .dmg and drag the app to Applications, or run the macOS installer package.
  • Linux: use the provided package (deb/rpm) or the AppImage as instructed on the official download page.
Tip: Close web browsers before installing Bridge to ensure no stale sessions conflict with the new service.

Step 3 — Verify Bridge is running

After installation, plug in your Trezor device and open Trezor Suite or the browser page that uses Trezor. The application should detect your device. On many systems you can also check running services or use a terminal command to verify Bridge's background process.

Using Trezor Bridge Safely

Bridge is designed with safety in mind but the human side of security is equally important. Below are essential guidelines to ensure your setup remains secure.

Security Principle: Bridge only facilitates transport. Your private keys never leave the Trezor device — confirmations and sensitive data are always shown on the device screen.

Best security practices

  • Download only from official Trezor sources.
  • Keep Bridge and Trezor Suite updated to receive security patches.
  • Confirm every action on your physical Trezor device (addresses, amounts, firmware updates).
  • Never enter your recovery seed into a computer or browser — the seed is for offline paper storage only.
Warning: If a website, email, or support agent ever asks for your recovery seed or PIN, stop immediately. These are signs of phishing or fraud.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Many Bridge issues have straightforward fixes. Here are tested steps to diagnose and resolve common problems.

Issue: Device not detected

  • Try a different USB cable or USB port — faulty cables are a frequent cause.
  • Restart Bridge or reboot your computer to clear stale processes.
  • Make sure another application isn't monopolizing the USB port.
  • On Windows, check Device Manager for USB errors; on macOS check System Information.

Issue: Browser shows "Bridge not installed"

Even after installing, some browsers cache page state. Close and reopen the browser, clear site data for the Trezor page, or use the Trezor Suite desktop app which bundles Bridge.

Issue: Firmware update fails

  • Ensure Bridge and Suite are the latest versions.
  • Do not disconnect the device during the update — power loss can brick a device.
  • If an update fails, follow official recovery instructions from Trezor support.

Advanced diagnostics

For advanced users: check Bridge logs, inspect network access to localhost, and confirm the Bridge binary path in OS-specific service managers. Share logs with official Trezor support only — never share private keys or recovery phrases.

FAQ (Quick Answers)

Q: Is Bridge required for Trezor?
A: Bridge is required for many browser-based flows. Trezor Suite includes it, so using the desktop app avoids separate Bridge setup in most cases.
Q: Can I run Bridge on a headless machine?
A: Yes — with careful configuration you can run Bridge as a background service and forward connections from supported interfaces.
Q: Will Bridge ever read my recovery phrase?
A: No. Bridge only proxies messages. The Trezor device enforces that the recovery phrase remains on the hardware or offline paper.

Best Practices & Maintenance

Maintaining a secure, reliable Bridge setup is as much about routine as it is about correct installation. Schedule periodic checks and keep macOS/Windows/Linux updates current.

  • Check for Bridge updates monthly, or whenever you update Trezor Suite.
  • Back up any important metadata (account labels) as recommended by the app.
  • Consider using the Ledger/Trezor Suite on an air-gapped machine for very large holdings — use Bridge only when you need to sign transactions.

Glossary

  • Bridge: Local service that connects browser/webapps to the Trezor device.
  • Trezor Suite: Official desktop/web app for managing the device and accounts.
  • Recovery seed: The offline 12/24 word phrase that restores private keys.

Conclusion

Trezor® Bridge is a small but essential component in the modern Trezor ecosystem. When installed and maintained correctly it provides a secure, reliable bridge between your browser and hardware wallet — while the device itself remains the single source of truth for private keys. Follow the installation steps, adopt the security best practices, and use the troubleshooting checklist to keep your connection healthy.

If you need step-by-step visual help, the official Trezor support pages include screenshots and videos for every major OS — always prefer official documentation when in doubt.