What is Trezor Bridge?

Trezor Bridge is an official, lightweight utility maintained by Trezor that enables secure, encrypted communication between your Trezor hardware wallet and desktop applications or compatible browsers. It replaces legacy browser extensions and streamlines device detection, improving privacy and reliability.

Why you need Trezor Bridge

Modern browsers do not always offer consistent support for direct USB access to hardware wallets. Trezor Bridge runs as a small background service on your computer, providing a stable channel for Trezor Suite and other supported applications to request device interaction. This ensures that:

  • Communication is encrypted between your computer and the device.
  • There is no need for untrusted browser extensions.
  • Device discovery and firmware verification work reliably across Windows, macOS, and Linux.

How to download and install Trezor Bridge

  1. Open the official page: trezor.io/bridge.
  2. Choose the installer for your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux).
  3. Download the file and run the installer following on-screen instructions.
  4. Restart your browser or log out/in if the page recommends it, then connect your Trezor device.
  5. Open Trezor Suite or the compatible app to verify the connection.

Tip: keep Bridge updated. Occasional updates fix compatibility issues, improve security, and support new OS releases.

Security and privacy considerations

Trezor Bridge is designed to minimize attack surface. Key points to understand:

  • Trezor Bridge does not access or transmit your recovery seed or private keys. Keys remain on the hardware device.
  • Always download Bridge from the official domain trezor.io. Avoid third-party mirrors or files distributed via email or social media.
  • Bridge runs locally; elected apps (like Trezor Suite) create unsigned transactions that you review and approve on your physical device. Approvals happen on-device only.
If you encounter unexpected prompts requesting your recovery seed or asking you to install unsupported software, disconnect and consult official support before proceeding.

Troubleshooting common issues

Connection problems are usually resolvable with a few checks:

  • If the device is not detected: try a different USB cable or port; confirm Bridge is running (restart the system if needed).
  • If your browser cannot communicate: ensure Bridge is installed and the browser has been restarted after installation.
  • If firmware update or device errors occur: do not attempt unofficial fixes — use the official Trezor Support guidance.
  • If you see a suspicious prompt requesting your recovery phrase: treat it as malicious and stop immediately.

Best practices

  • Install Bridge only from trezor.io/bridge.
  • Keep your operating system, browser, and Trezor Suite updated.
  • Verify downloads with checksums or signatures if provided.
  • Use Trezor Suite for firmware updates and official processes.
  • Never share your recovery seed, and never enter it into any computer or website.