Trezor Bridge — Secure Connection for Your Trezor
Overview
What is Trezor Bridge?
Trezor Bridge is (or historically was) a small background application that creates a secure, local communication channel between a Trezor hardware wallet and your browser or desktop software. It acts as a gateway that allows client software (web apps and the Trezor Suite) to talk to the device safely without exposing the wallet to network services. This presentation explains the role Bridge has played, how to install it, current official direction from Trezor, and practical security tips.
How it works (brief)
Bridge runs on the local machine (Windows, macOS, Linux) and exposes a local transport interface. When a supported browser or app needs to communicate with a Trezor device, it connects to the Bridge, which then forwards requests to the hardware wallet. The design isolates the device from direct browser access while letting the software integrate smoothly.
Installation & Current Status
Installation steps
Historically, installing Trezor Bridge required downloading an installer from the Trezor website and running it with elevated permissions once. For most users today, Trezor recommends using the Trezor Suite (desktop or web) as the primary supported interface and following the official "Get started" and support guides.
Notes on deprecation
The Trezor team has published guidance regarding the deprecation and removal of the standalone Trezor Bridge in favor of integrated transports handled via Trezor Suite or updated daemon tooling. If you still have standalone Bridge installed, follow the official uninstall and migration instructions from Trezor's documentation.
Security & Best Practices
Always use official sources
Only download Bridge, Suite, and related software from official Trezor domains or their verified GitHub repositories. Avoid third-party mirrors or installers. Keep your Trezor firmware and host software up to date.
Verify before trusting
Check signatures (when provided), confirm checksums, and prefer the desktop Trezor Suite or the official web app. If any prompt or installer asks for unusual permissions, pause and consult Trezor support.
Connectivity troubleshooting
Common connectivity issues are often resolved by updating firmware, checking USB cables/ports, and ensuring the latest host software is installed. Trezor provides step-by-step troubleshooting guides for when Suite doesn't detect a device.
Developer & Integration Notes
For integrators
Developers integrating Trezor support should consult the Trezor Suite documentation and official transport/deamon repositories. The legacy Bridge communication daemon (trezord / trezord-go) and newer Suite APIs are available on GitHub.
Security model
Remember that a hardware wallet's security depends on the device's firmware and the host environment. Use secure, updated host systems, and minimize running untrusted code concurrently when performing signing operations.
Quick FAQ
Do I still need Bridge?
In many cases, no — Trezor Suite or modern browser integrations handle transport. If a specific legacy flow requests Bridge, check Trezor's official guidance and prefer Suite when possible.
What if Suite doesn't detect my device?
Follow the support troubleshooting steps: check firmware, try different USB ports/cables, and consult the "Trezor Suite doesn't see my device" official article.