Welcome to the **official guide** for Trezor Bridge®. This page walks you through everything you need to get started — from downloading and installing, to connecting your Trezor device securely, to advanced tips for troubleshooting and security. Use the links here and always confirm you’re on the official Trezor domain when downloading.
Trezor Bridge is a lightweight background application (daemon/service) designed to enable secure communication between your Trezor hardware wallet (Model One, Model T, etc.) and your computer or web browser. It acts as a “bridge” (hence the name) so that Suite, web apps, or other services can talk with your device without exposing sensitive data or relying on web-only drivers or plugins.
Because browsers have varying support for USB / WebUSB / HID, Bridge ensures compatibility across platforms while maintaining security guarantees. It helps in abstracting away lower-level USB details. Bridge is usually invisible in daily use — running in the background — but is vital for many workflows involving web apps.
Always ensure you are using Trezor’s official domain (for example trezor.io or trusted subpaths) when downloading software. Phishing sites may mimic the look of Trezor to trick users into installing malicious software.
Go to the official Trezor download or start page (e.g. trezor.io/start) and select the Bridge installer corresponding to your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux). Don’t download from third-party or unknown mirrors.
Run the downloaded installer. On macOS, you may need to permit USB access or allow the application via “Security & Privacy” settings. On Linux, you might need to configure udev rules (or device permissions). After installation, Bridge typically launches and resides in the background (system tray, menu bar, or background service).
To allow the browser or Suite to detect the Bridge service, sometimes you must restart the browser or your computer. This ensures proper binding / permissions take effect.
Using a data-capable USB cable (not just power-only), connect your Trezor hardware wallet. Bridge will handle low-level communication. Then open Trezor Suite (desktop or web) or other supported web apps, which will detect your device via Bridge.
When prompted, PIN and passphrases must be entered on your Trezor device itself — not via keyboard or on your computer. Bridge transmits encrypted data, but the sensitive entry stays on-device.
When you create a transaction in Suite or a web interface, details (recipient, amount, fees, etc.) are passed to the device via Bridge. You must review and confirm the transaction on your Trezor’s display before signing. Always verify that the values shown on-device match what you expect. Bridge does not override or change the data — it is just the messenger.
Bridge manages sessions between your computer and the hardware device. After use, it cleans up authorization tokens or ephemeral state to prevent unauthorized lingering access. If you disconnect your Trezor, Bridge should properly drop connections.
Trezor Bridge supports major operating systems and typical browsers. Below is a general overview:
Bridge periodically receives updates. If you get a prompt to update, always verify the update came from the official Trezor site and is cryptographically signed. Using an outdated Bridge can break compatibility with newer firmware or web features. Avoid installing unofficial or modified versions (they may be phishing attempts).
trezor.io or trusted subpaths). Avoid mirrored or third‑party sites.While Bridge is the standard and recommended connectivity mode, there are some alternatives or advanced options:
Notice: “Trezor Bridge®” is a registered trademark of SatoshiLabs. Ensure that any mention or download references the official name with the ® symbol when applicable, helping guard against imitation. Also, Bridge itself does *not* collect your private keys or seed — it is simply a secure communication layer.
If you use the Trezor Suite desktop app exclusively, Bridge may not always be required for all operations. However, when interacting with web-based dApps or services, Bridge offers the smoothest, most secure path. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
Yes — when downloaded from the official source and verified via signature or checksum. On its own, Bridge does not have access to your seed or keys; it simply relays encrypted messages. The real security is enforced by your hardware device. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
Bridge typically writes logs or error output to system or user logs depending on your OS (e.g. event viewer, syslog, AppData, ~/.config, etc.). If issues arise, these logs may help diagnose problems or be used (safely) by support teams.
Check that Bridge is truly running, restart browser / PC, clear cache, check USB permissions, try another browser, and ensure the website is allowed to access local Bridge. Also confirm that you downloaded the correct version for your OS. Community users often switch browsers to bypass detection issues. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
Some newer browsers and environments are enhancing support for WebUSB / HID, which could reduce reliance on Bridge in certain cases. But Bridge remains important for compatibility, stability, and fallback behavior across diverse systems. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}