Trezor Bridge — The Secure Gateway to Your Hardware Wallet®

Short: Trezor Bridge is the secure desktop helper app that lets your computer communicate with your Trezor Hardware Wallet® through a private, encrypted channel — without exposing your private keys.

What is Trezor Bridge?

Trezor Bridge is a small, official background application developed by SatoshiLabs that creates a secure communication layer between your web browser (or desktop apps) and your Trezor Hardware Wallet®. It replaces older browser plugins and provides an easy, cross-platform way for websites and apps to talk to your device while keeping your cryptographic secrets offline on the Trezor.

Why Bridge matters for security

The key security principle is that private keys never leave the Trezor device. Bridge only transmits non-sensitive messages (commands, UI prompts, signed transaction data that you explicitly approve) between your browser and the device. Because Bridge is maintained by the Trezor team and is lightweight, it reduces dependencies and common vector points (like browser plugins) which historically caused friction and security risk.

Supported platforms

Trezor Bridge runs on Windows, macOS, and major Linux distributions. Installers and docs are available from the official Trezor sources below.

How Bridge works (high level)

  1. Your browser/app detects a Trezor device.
  2. Bridge mediates a secure local connection (localhost) to the device via USB.
  3. When you sign operations, you confirm them on the hardware device itself.
  4. The signed result returns to the requesting app — private keys never leave the device.

Quick setup (3 steps)

1. Download

Download the official Bridge installer for your OS and run it.

2. Connect

Plug in your Trezor device. Open trezor.io/start or your chosen wallet website — Bridge will allow the site to detect the device.

3. Confirm on device

Approve actions on your Trezor's screen. That's the safety checkpoint: if you didn't approve it, the device won't sign anything.

Tip: If your browser can't find the device, check firewall/USB permissions and try reinstalling Bridge. See the troubleshooting links in the official links block below.

Official resources (10 links)

Get Started Trezor Bridge Trezor Home Support Center Developer Docs Trezor Blog Store System Status Learn Compatibility

Troubleshooting — common issues

My browser doesn't detect Trezor

Make sure Bridge is running (system tray / background), your USB cable supports data (not power-only), and that no other app is blocking the port. Rebooting the computer and reinstalling Bridge often resolves obscure permission problems.

Bridge installer won't run

Check your OS settings for unsigned apps (macOS Gatekeeper, Linux package dependencies). Use the official installers listed above to avoid tampered binaries.

Upgrading Bridge

When a new Bridge version is released you’ll typically be prompted, or you can download the latest installer from the official page. Keep Bridge updated to stay compatible and safe.

FAQ

Q: Is Trezor Bridge required?
A: For most desktop browsers and wallet sites, yes — Bridge is the recommended way to communicate with a Trezor device. Some native apps provide their own integration, but Bridge is the official, cross-platform method.
Q: Can Bridge access my seed or private keys?
A: No. Bridge only passes messages — the private keys remain securely stored inside the Trezor Hardware Wallet® and only the device can sign transactions after you physically confirm them.
Q: Is Bridge safe to install from third-party sites?
A: Always download Bridge from official Trezor domains (links above). Third-party or mirror sites may host tampered installers — avoid them.
Q: Can Bridge run without an internet connection?
A: Yes. Bridge operates locally on your machine. Only actions that require network interaction (like broadcasting a signed transaction) need an internet connection; the device-to-Bridge communication is local.
Q: What if I don't want Bridge running all the time?
A: Bridge can be started on demand; however leaving it enabled simplifies browser detection. If you’re security conscious, run Bridge only when you need it and close it afterwards.

Developer note

If you are a developer integrating Trezor support into an application, consult the developer docs for API details, message formats, and recommended security patterns.

Final thoughts

For most users, Trezor Bridge is the simple, secure, and officially supported bridge between desktop apps and the Hardware Wallet®. It keeps the critical security boundary intact — private keys stay offline — while enabling a smooth user experience. Always get Bridge and other related tools from the official Trezor links listed above, confirm actions on your device, and keep both your device firmware and Bridge up to date.