The Trezor Bridge® Guide is your essential companion to establishing a secure connection between your computer and your Trezor Hardware Wallet®. Unlike older solutions that required browser plugins, Trezor Bridge runs in the background and handles communication over HTTPs, removing many of the friction points in interacting with your hardware device.
In this guide, we will walk you through installation, operation, troubleshooting, and security best practices. We will use clear, user‑friendly terms and fresh phrasing to help both beginners and advanced users. Our core aims are clarity, reliability, and ensuring your Trezor device remains safe from connectivity threats.
Trezor Bridge® is a lightweight application that runs on your local machine (Windows, macOS, Linux) and acts as a mediator between your web browser and your Trezor hardware. It routes commands securely, handles firmware updates, and ensures robust communication with your device.
Historically, browser extensions or plugins were required, and these often encountered compatibility issues or security risks. With Trezor Bridge®, the bridge operates independently of the browser, simplifying updates and improving reliability.
Before installing, ensure your system meets minimal prerequisites:
1. Visit the official Trezor website and navigate to the “Bridge” download page.
2. Select your platform (Windows, macOS, Linux) and download the installer.
3. Run the installer and follow the on‑screen prompts.
4. After installation, Bridge will launch in the background; there is typically no user interface icon.
To verify whether the installation succeeded, open your browser and navigate to the Trezor web interface (e.g. wallet.trezor.io). The site should prompt you to connect your device, and Bridge should automatically detect it. If no prompt appears, you may need to restart your browser or reconnect the USB cable.
When you visit a Trezor‑compatible web app, Bridge listens locally and sets up a secure WebSocket or HTTPS session with your browser. The interface then indicates “Device connected” and allows you to sign transactions, manage accounts, or adjust settings.
Bridge also supports firmware updates for your Trezor hardware. When a new version is available, the web interface can prompt you to update, and Bridge will safely deliver the new firmware to your device. Similarly, during account recovery (using seed phrase input), Bridge ensures data is relayed reliably.
If you attach multiple Trezor devices simultaneously, Bridge detects each and assigns an identifier. The web interface asks which device you wish to use. This avoids conflicts and ensures the correct wallet is accessed.
Trezor Bridge® works reliably across mainstream browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Brave. Because communication is handled outside the browser, plugin compatibility is no longer a concern. Just be sure your browser is up to date.
A core goal of the Trezor Bridge® Guide is to ensure your connection to the Trezor Hardware Wallet® remains secure at all times. Bridge communication is encrypted, but you must also follow best practices on your host system.
Always keep your operating system, antivirus software, and firewall up to date. Avoid installing untrusted software or clicking malicious links while interacting with your wallet. A compromised computer can undermine even the best hardware wallet.
Use known good USB cables and avoid extension hubs when possible. If your cable is faulty or introduces interference, Bridge might lose the link or deliver erroneous data.
When Bridge facilitates a firmware update, always verify the cryptographic signature on the update. The web interface typically displays a trusted fingerprint — confirm it matches the official source before approving.
After finishing operations, unplug the Trezor device. This prevents accidental exposures or leaving the device connected on an insecure machine.
Never share your seed phrase online, and store backups in offline, secure locations. Bridge only manages the communication layer, not your recovery secret — that remains your responsibility.