What is Trezor Bridge?
Trezor Bridge is a lightweight software utility developed by SatoshiLabs that enables secure communication between your Trezor hardware wallet and supported web applications, such as Trezor Suite Web. Since web browsers do not allow direct communication with USB devices due to security restrictions, Trezor Bridge acts as the secure, local intermediary that bridges this gap.
Whether you're using Trezor Model One or Trezor Model T, Bridge ensures that your device can securely send and receive cryptographic instructions from your browser in a private, encrypted manner. This makes it possible to manage your cryptocurrencies without exposing sensitive information.
Why Do You Need Trezor Bridge?
If you prefer to use the web version of Trezor Suite or other compatible wallet services, Trezor Bridge is essential. Browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Edge do not allow direct USB access for security reasons. Trezor Bridge solves this problem by running as a local background service on your computer, enabling real-time, encrypted communication between the browser and your device.
Without Bridge, your browser will not recognize your Trezor hardware wallet, rendering web-based management tools useless. Installing Bridge ensures a seamless, secure login and wallet experience every time.
How to Install Trezor Bridge
Installing Trezor Bridge is simple and only takes a few minutes. Follow these steps:
- Visit the official download page: https://trezor.io/bridge
- Select the appropriate version for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux)
- Download and run the installer
- Follow the installation prompts to complete setup
- After installation, restart your browser
Once installed, Trezor Bridge runs in the background and starts automatically each time your computer boots.
Supported Operating Systems and Browsers
Trezor Bridge supports the following environments:
- Operating Systems: Windows 10 and above, macOS 10.13+, and major Linux distributions (Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian)
- Web Browsers: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Brave (with additional permissions)
If you're using Trezor Suite Desktop, you do not need Bridge. But for browser-based applications, Bridge is crucial.
How Trezor Bridge Works
Once installed, Trezor Bridge runs a local service that listens for communication requests from the browser. When a website or application (like Trezor Suite Web) requests device access, Bridge securely relays this request to your Trezor device. All commands are executed locally, and private keys never leave your device.
The communication is encrypted and digitally signed to prevent tampering or eavesdropping. Even if malware exists on your computer, Trezor Bridge ensures that cryptographic operations remain secure by isolating your private keys inside the hardware wallet.
Security Features
Trezor Bridge is designed with multiple layers of security:
- Local communication only: Data is never transmitted to third-party servers.
- Open-source code: Developers and security researchers can audit Bridge on GitHub.
- No persistent logging: Trezor Bridge does not store sensitive data.
- Signed software releases: Prevents malicious code from impersonating Trezor software.
This security architecture makes Trezor Bridge one of the most trusted wallet-bridging tools in the crypto space.
Troubleshooting Trezor Bridge
If your Trezor device isn’t recognized in the browser, here are a few steps to try:
- Make sure Trezor Bridge is installed and running
- Reconnect your Trezor device via USB
- Clear your browser cache or try incognito mode
- Temporarily disable antivirus or firewall that may block USB access
- Ensure your browser is updated to the latest version
If issues persist, reinstall Bridge from the official site or consult Trezor Support.
Difference Between Trezor Bridge and Trezor Suite Desktop
It’s important to know when you need Trezor Bridge versus Trezor Suite:
- Trezor Suite Desktop: Standalone application; does not require Trezor Bridge.
- Trezor Bridge: Required for using Trezor Suite Web and third-party browser-based apps.
If you use browser dApps (like Uniswap or MetaMask), Trezor Bridge enables those integrations. For full privacy and features, however, Trezor Suite Desktop is the preferred method.
Uninstalling Trezor Bridge
If you no longer need Bridge (e.g., you've switched to the desktop app), you can uninstall it like any other program:
- Windows: Go to Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall Trezor Bridge
- macOS: Move Trezor Bridge to the Trash from the Applications folder
- Linux: Use your distribution’s package manager or delete