Trezor Bridge is a small, trusted background application provided by the Trezor team that runs on your computer and mediates communication between the Trezor hardware device and software (like Trezor Suite or browser-based wallet interfaces). It replaces older browser plugin approaches and provides a secure channel using the USB interface.
Modern browsers restrict direct access to USB devices for security reasons. Trezor Bridge offers a secure local endpoint the browser (or desktop app) can talk to without exposing your device to the wider network. This minimizes attack surface while allowing convenient integration with web wallets and services.
Unlike generic drivers, Trezor Bridge is purpose-built to understand Trezor device protocols and to provide the specific API endpoints expected by Trezor software. It also gets regular updates to support new devices and firmware features.
Trezor Bridge supports Windows, macOS, and Linux. Always download it from official sources (links below) and follow the installation notes for your operating system.
Pro tip: Always verify the signature or official source when downloading Bridge — installing third-party or tampered versions can compromise security.
At a high level, Bridge listens on a local port and exposes a small HTTP/JSON API that Trezor Suite or browser pages can call. When a request needs to reach the device, Bridge translates the API call into USB commands and relays responses back. Importantly, the private keys never leave the hardware device — Bridge only carries commands and public data.
Trezor’s security model relies on:
Bridge does not store keys, sign transactions, or expose your recovery seed. It is purely a transport mechanism. If a website requests an operation, the device will display and require your confirmation for any signing action.
Installing Bridge does not mean your coins are 'on your PC'. The private keys remain under the Trezor device's control at all times.
Installation is straightforward — download the installer for your OS and run it. Bridge runs in the background and starts automatically when the system boots (configurable). Keep it updated to ensure compatibility with the latest Trezor firmware and security fixes.
On Windows and macOS you’ll typically get an installer package. Follow the on-screen steps. On macOS, you may need to approve a system extension or allow network access depending on macOS version.
Linux users can install via package or using provided binaries. Permissions may need to be set (udev rules) to allow user access to USB devices.
If the Trezor device is not detected after installing Bridge:
Reinstall Bridge if you experience persistent connectivity issues, or after major OS upgrades that may have reset permissions.
Bridge is safe when you follow standard security hygiene:
If you want to lock down the local environment, run Bridge on a machine with a strict firewall or in an isolated VM. Bridge communicates locally and doesn't require internet access for normal device communication, but the services you use may.
Check cable, try another USB port, ensure Bridge is running, and look at OS-level permissions. On Windows, verify the device appears in Device Manager and that no other application has exclusive access.
Clear the browser cache, restart the browser, and make sure no other wallet extension is interfering. Some browsers change APIs; using the latest Bridge and browser versions helps.
Disconnect and reconnect the device. If the problem persists, reboot the computer and try again. If hardware appears damaged, contact official support (links below).
Below are 10 official links (colored for quick scanning). Always verify you’re on an official domain before downloading software or following instructions.
If you need step-by-step HTML guides, printable checklists, or a trimmed “install & test” walkthrough for a specific OS, say which OS and I’ll include that next.