Overview — What Trezor Bridge does for you
Trezor Bridge is a small, trusted application that creates a secure bridge between web browsers and your Trezor hardware wallet. Because modern browsers limit direct access to USB devices for security, Bridge runs locally to forward authenticated requests from official web apps to your Trezor device. The architecture ensures that critical cryptographic operations — seed generation, key derivation, and transaction signing — always happen on the device itself.
A closer look at the flow
When you open the Trezor web interface, the site requests access to a connected hardware wallet. Those requests are routed through Bridge, which listens for requests on a local port and only responds to origins verified against official Trezor domains. Bridge converts browser-level API calls into the USB commands your device understands, and the device, in turn, displays the details of each operation on its screen so you can confirm actions manually.
Why Bridge preserves your security
Installation — quick and safe
To install Bridge, download the official installer for your operating system from the Trezor website, run the installer, and follow the on-screen steps. After installation, Bridge runs in the background and will be discoverable by official web pages. Always download from the official source and verify installer integrity when checksums or signatures are provided.
- Official Bridge download: trezor.io/bridge
- Official start page: trezor.io/start
- Firmware updates & instructions: trezor.io/firmware
Common issues & fixes
If your browser can't detect the device, check that Bridge is running in the system tray or background processes. Restart the browser, try different USB cables or ports, and ensure your operating system recognizes the device. If problems persist, reinstall Bridge from the official download page or consult the support center for step-by-step diagnostics.
Privacy details
Bridge does not upload your seed, private keys, or transaction secrets to any external server. Your web interface may call external services for balance lookups or broadcasting transactions; to minimize exposure, choose trusted backends or run your own node. Bridge's role is strictly local message forwarding — it neither stores nor transmits sensitive key material off your machine.
Developer & integrator notes
Developers can integrate Trezor connectivity using the official libraries (Trezor Connect and associated SDKs). These libraries provide higher-level wrappers and enforce security policies that protect against common web-origin attacks. Review official developer docs and the GitHub repositories for examples and code references.
// Example: detect TrezorConnect and query features
if (window.TrezorConnect) {
TrezorConnect.getFeatures().then(f => console.log(f)).catch(e => console.error(e));
}
Developer resources: GitHub · Learning center
Ten quick links (official resources)
- Download Bridge
- Getting started
- Firmware
- Support
- Security guidance
- Compatibility
- Official shop
- Learning center
- Official GitHub
- Blog & updates
When to update or reinstall
Update Bridge and device firmware when official updates are released — especially security patches. Reinstall Bridge if the local installation appears corrupted or if the application repeatedly fails to detect devices.
Best practices checklist
- Always download Bridge from the official site: trezor.io/bridge
- Verify installer signatures or checksums when available.
- Keep both your device firmware and Bridge updated. Firmware updates
- Use official web interfaces or well-reviewed third-party apps.
- Protect your seed phrase physically and never share it online.
Using a hardware wallet with Bridge offers the most practical balance between strong on-device security and the convenience of modern web interfaces. Bridge acts as a careful messenger — it does not change where the keys live; it simply helps your browser ask the right questions and your device answer them securely.