What is Trezor Bridge?
Trezor Bridge is an official, lightweight application that runs on your computer and provides a secure channel between Trezor hardware wallets and web-based interfaces or native wallet apps. It replaces older browser-only methods for connecting to hardware wallets by exposing a trusted local API over localhost. This enables modern browsers to connect to devices while keeping cryptographic operations safely on the hardware device.
How it works (in plain terms)
When you plug in a Trezor device, the operating system detects the hardware. Trezor Bridge listens for that device and exposes a small local HTTP/WebSocket endpoint (usually on localhost with a specific port). Wallet apps and supported websites talk to Bridge, and Bridge forwards commands to the device over USB. Crucially, private keys never leave the hardware — Bridge only relays instructions and responses.
Installation & first steps
Installation is straightforward:
- Download Bridge from the official Trezor website or your device manufacturer's instructions.
- Run the installer and grant system permissions when prompted.
- Open your wallet application or the supported website (for example, the Trezor Suite or a Web3 dApp) and follow the on-screen pairing instructions.
After installation, you may see a small Bridge icon or notification. If a web app requests access, you'll typically accept a browser prompt; Bridge will then pair with the Trezor device.
Security considerations
Trezor Bridge is designed to minimize attack surface:
- All signing and sensitive actions occur on the device — Bridge simply forwards messages.
- Bridge uses localhost and restricts which origins can talk to it; a browser will show consent prompts before allowing access.
- Install only official Bridge packages from the vendor's site. Verify checksums or signatures if provided.
- Keep Bridge updated — updates may patch vulnerabilities or improve compatibility.
Troubleshooting & tips
If your Trezor isn't detected or Wallet pages complain:
- Make sure Bridge is running. On many systems, it's listed in the system tray/menu bar.
- Try reconnecting the USB cable or port — use the cable that came with the device.
- Restart your browser after installing Bridge so it recognizes the local endpoint.
- Temporarily disable VPNs or firewall rules that block localhost or odd ports.
- If a web page can't connect, check browser permissions and try a different supported browser.
Best practices
For day-to-day safety:
- Never enter your seed or recovery phrase into any computer — use the device's recovery workflow where supported.
- Only install Bridge from the vendor. Avoid third-party downloads.
- Keep your OS and browser updated, and run reputable antivirus if you use Windows.
- Enable device passphrase and PIN features offered by your hardware wallet for extra protection.
FAQ (quick)
Q: Is Bridge open-source?
A: Core components and protocol docs are publicly documented; check the vendor repo for up-to-date licensing and source code.
Q: Can Bridge access my private keys?
A: No — private keys remain on the device; Bridge only forwards JSON-RPC-like messages.
Q: I see multiple Bridge versions installed — what now?
A: Remove older versions and install the latest official release from the vendor site.