Trezor Bridge — Secure Connection for Your Trezor™
What is Trezor Bridge?
Purpose
Trezor Bridge is (or was) a small, local communication service that allowed Trezor hardware wallets to talk securely with web browsers and desktop applications. It acted as a local “gateway” that converted browser requests into transport-layer commands to the device and back, enabling managed access to your wallet without exposing private keys to the web.
Key roles
- Establish local, authenticated communication between host apps and device.
- Provide a cross-platform transport layer compatible with supported browsers.
- Isolate raw USB/HID handling from web code to reduce attack surface.
How it works (high level)
Transport & daemon
Trezor Bridge typically runs as a small background daemon (service) on the user’s machine. When a web app or desktop app needs to communicate with the hardware wallet, it talks to Bridge via local HTTP or a dedicated RPC endpoint.
Security design
The device-level cryptography (signing, key derivation) always happens on the hardware wallet itself; Bridge only forwards requests and responses. This separation ensures the private keys never leave the secure element of the device.
Interoperability
Bridge is designed to handle different transport types (USB, HID) and to smooth over browser differences, making the same wallet UI work across platforms and browsers.
Installation & removal
How to install
Historically, users downloaded Bridge from the official site and ran the installer for Windows/macOS/Linux. More recently, users are encouraged to use the official Trezor Suite or follow instructions on the official site.
Uninstall & deprecation
Standalone Bridge has been deprecated in favor of integrated transport systems in Trezor Suite and newer bridge-daemons. If you still have a standalone Bridge installation, official guidance recommends uninstalling it and migrating to the supported pathway to avoid conflicts.
Security considerations
Why Bridge is safe
Bridge does not hold keys — it’s a transport. The authoritative security is the Trezor firmware and the device itself. Bridge reduces direct exposure of USB-level APIs to untrusted webpages by providing a controlled local endpoint.
Risks & mitigations
- Only download Bridge or Trezor Suite from official sources to avoid tampered installers.
- Keep firmware and Suite updated — updates patch transport and protocol vulnerabilities.
- Use OS-level protections (antivirus, limited user accounts) and confirm installer signatures when available.
Deprecation & migration notes
Important: migration guidance
The Trezor team has announced deprecation of the standalone Bridge and recommends using the latest Trezor Suite (or the officially recommended transport) for an easier and safer experience. Users should follow official migration guides and uninstall deprecated standalone packages to avoid compatibility issues.
Troubleshooting checklist
Quick steps if your device isn't detected
- Verify USB cable & try different ports.
- Update Trezor firmware through Trezor Suite.
- Uninstall legacy Bridge if instructed by official support docs.
- Consult official troubleshooting pages for platform-specific udev rules or driver fixes.
When to contact support
Open a support ticket if the device still fails to connect after following official guides and verifying firmware integrity.
Best practices & final recommendations
Keep software official and current
Use only official download sources, update Trezor Suite regularly, and uninstall standalone Bridge if official guidance advises it. Maintain backups of your recovery seed in a secure, offline location and never share it online.
Summary
Trezor Bridge was a useful local gateway for secure device communication. As the Trezor ecosystem evolves, official apps and newer bridge solutions aim to make connectivity simpler and more secure — but the core security always remains with the hardware wallet itself.