Trezor Bridge®

Your secure gateway between your computer and your Trezor hardware wallet. Trezor Bridge® handles encrypted communication, allowing you to manage your crypto assets safely — with confidence, privacy, and integrity.

What is Trezor Bridge?

Trezor Bridge is a lightweight application (also called a helper daemon) that runs on your computer to facilitate secure communication with your Trezor device. Whether you're using the desktop app or browser, Bridge enables the following:

• USB interface abstraction, so you don’t need to worry about drivers.
• Secure message transport between Trezor Suite and your device.
• Ciphered channels that protect your PIN, passphrase, and transactions.
• Automatic updates to ensure defense against the latest threats.

Why Bridge Matters for Security

Without Trezor Bridge, connecting your hardware wallet safely becomes more complex. Bridge ensures the following security guarantees:

• Isolation of sensitive inputs: PINs and passphrases are entered *only* on the hardware device — never on the computer keyboard or via untrusted software.
• End‑to‑end cryptographic protection: Messages are signed and encrypted at every step.
• Genuine device verification: Bridge helps validate the authenticity of your Trezor device before any operation.
• Prevention of man‑in‑the‑middle attacks: Bridge ensures you see correct transaction data on the device screen and verifies requests before signing.

How It Works – A Step‑by‑Step Flow

1. Download & Install Bridge — Get the latest version for your OS: Windows, macOS, Linux. Install following the official instructions.
2. Start Trezor Bridge — After installation, Bridge starts automatically or can be launched manually from your system tray or background services.
3. Connect Your Device — Use a USB cable to connect your Trezor hardware wallet to the computer. Ensure the cable is data‑capable (not a “power only”) cable.
4. Suite Discovers Device — Trezor Suite (desktop or browser version) communicates with Bridge to detect your Trezor wallet.
5. Enter PIN & Passphrase — Securely on the device. Bridge transmits only the encrypted input to Suite, never revealing sensitive data to the host computer.
6. Verify Actions on Device — Any transaction or operation you request in Suite will be displayed on the device screen. Verify and sign using device buttons or touchscreen.
7. Operation Completed & Disconnect — Once signed and completed, you can safely disconnect the device. Bridge ensures cleanup of sessions to avoid lingering vulnerabilities.

Supported Platforms & System Requirements

Trezor Bridge supports the following operating systems and requirements:

• Windows: Windows 10 / 11 (64‑bit). Auto‑starts as a background service.
• macOS: Ventura, Monterey, Big Sur; Intel and Apple Silicon (M1 / M2 etc.). Requires system permission to access USB devices.
• Linux: Most modern distributions; requires libusb and standard USB privileges. May need manual udev rules setup under /etc/udev/rules.d/.
• Browser Support: Chrome, Firefox, Edge – when using Suite web version. Browsers will access Bridge via a local secure connection over HTTP(s) or browser native extension depending on your setup.

Download & Installation

Always obtain Bridge from the official Trezor website. Avoid third‑party sites to reduce risk of tampered software.

Download Trezor Bridge

Installation Steps

• Run the installer / extract the archive.
• Follow on‑screen prompts; on macOS you may need to accept permission dialogs for USB access.
• After installation, confirm Bridge is running (e.g., system tray icon on Windows, menu bar or background service on macOS/Linux).
• If you use web browser Suite, verify browser can communicate with Bridge — some OS firewall settings may block local connections (127.0.0.1).

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Device Not Detected

If your Trezor device does not appear after plugging in:

• Use a different USB cable. Some cables are power‑only.
• Try a different USB port. Direct ports are preferred over hubs or docking stations.
• On Linux, ensure you have correct udev rules, and your user belongs to plugdev (or equivalent) group.
• Restart the Bridge service / daemon.
• Check for OS USB driver updates or system firmware updates.

Bridge Fails to Start or Crashes

• Ensure you have installed the correct version for your OS (architecture etc.).
• Check for conflicting software that uses USB raw access.
• On macOS / Linux, inspect system permissions for USB devices and filesystem access where Bridge is installed.
• Review Bridge logs for error messages — log files are located in standard OS log directories (or via the Suite). Send them safely to support if needed.

Update & Security Prompts

Bridge periodically checks for updates. If you see an update prompt:

• Always verify the signature or checksum from the official Trezor site.
• Don’t ignore security warnings — updates often patch vulnerabilities.
• If you use an older version and haven’t updated, risk exposure to known exploits or compatibility issues with newer firmware/web features.

Security Best Practices

• Keep Bridge software updated. This ensures you benefit from latest security fixes.
• Only download from trezor.io or direct mirrors specified by Trezor.
• Verify your operating system’s certificate authorities; ensure Bridge installer is signed.
• Enter your PIN, passphrase, and transaction confirmations directly on your hardware device — never via keyboard shortcuts or remote desktop tools.
• Do not install untrusted browser extensions or USB drivers; they can interfere with or intercept communication.
• Unplug your Trezor when not in use, especially from public or shared computers.

Privacy & Data Handling

Trezor Bridge is designed with privacy in mind:

• It does **not** collect transaction history, wallet contents, or seed data.
• Telemetry is minimal (if enabled) and for crash‑reports or update checking only — no personal identifying info is sent unless you explicitly opt in.
• Your private keys never leave the device. Bridge transmits only encrypted commands and data necessary for signing operations.
• Network communication (if applicable) uses secure, encrypted channels. Local communication (between Suite and Bridge) is bound to your machine/localhost for safety.

Comparison: WebUSB / HID vs Trezor Bridge

There are different methods to connect hardware wallets to software. Here is why Bridge is preferred in many cases:

Connection Method	Pros	Cons
Trezor Bridge	Stable across OSes, auto updates, solid security, supports all features.	Requires installation; local service running.
WebUSB / HID	No separate install; works via browser directly in some environments.	Browser support varies; may have permissions issues; less control over updates; potential security edge‑cases.

Future Enhancements & Roadmap

The Trezor team continuously works on improving Bridge. Some upcoming or in‑progress enhancements include:

• Improved support for Apple Silicon (native performance, less overhead).
• A streamlined installer that handles permissions automatically.
• Better logging interfaces for privacy‑preserving diagnostics.
• Optional stricter security modes (e.g. “Lock‑down”) which disable non‑essential features.
• Enhanced UI feedback in Suite during device handshake / firmware update via Bridge.

Getting Started with Bridge – Checklist

Before launching your first session, make sure you have:

• A compatible Trezor hardware wallet with the latest firmware installed.
• A data‑capable USB cable.
• Downloaded the correct Bridge installer for your OS.
• Administrative (or sudo) privileges to allow installation and USB permissions.
• Updated operating system and drivers to avoid USB compatibility issues.
• Backup of your recovery seed, stored safely offline.

Notice: Trezor Bridge is a registered trademark of SatoshiLabs. Always check for the ® symbol when downloading or using the software to guard against impersonation.

If you need help, see the Trezor Support Center or check the developer documentation for Bridge APIs and advanced settings.