Trezor Bridge | Connect Your Trezor Securely

A practical, step-by-step guide to installing, configuring, and using Trezor Bridge — the local connectivity layer that helps your desktop browser and wallet apps communicate reliably with your Trezor hardware wallet. Includes security guidance, migration notes, troubleshooting and a short FAQ.

What is Trezor Bridge?

Trezor Bridge is a lightweight application that runs locally on your computer and provides a stable, secure channel between web-based wallets or desktop wallet applications and your Trezor hardware device. Instead of relying on inconsistent browser USB APIs or fragile plugins, Bridge listens on a localhost endpoint and forwards messages to your device. It does not — and cannot — access your private keys; signing and key operations always occur on the hardware device itself.

This guide focuses on practical setup, daily use habits, migration considerations when moving seeds or accounts, and resolving common problems so you can maintain a safe workflow.

Why Bridge matters

Browser and OS updates can break direct USB communication. Bridge isolates those changes by living outside the browser and handling platform-specific USB behavior. The benefits include higher reliability across environments, fewer broken connections after updates, and a simplified integration path for wallet providers.

Quick tip: consider Bridge a small trusted helper: it improves connectivity but is still software on your machine — install only official builds and keep it up to date.

System requirements & preparation

Before installing Bridge, make sure you have:

  • A supported operating system: up-to-date Windows, macOS, or a modern Linux distribution.
  • Administrator or sudo privileges to install system software.
  • A working USB cable (use the official cable where possible) and your Trezor device.
  • Access to the vendor’s official download page — never install from untrusted mirrors.

Security reminder: if you find an installer from a third party or a site that looks suspicious, stop and download only from the official domain. Tampered installers are a real attack vector.

Install & first connection — step by step

Follow these steps for a smooth installation and first connection. Exact UI text varies by OS but the high-level flow is consistent.

  1. Download the Bridge installer from the official downloads page. Choose the package for your OS (.exe for Windows, .dmg for macOS, or the appropriate Linux package).
  2. Run the installer and follow prompts. On macOS drag the app into your Applications folder; on Linux use the recommended package manager or .deb/.rpm installer as provided.
  3. Grant permissions when the OS asks — Bridge commonly runs as a background service and may request access to listen on a localhost port. Only accept permissions for verified installers.
  4. Start Bridge — it typically appears as a tray icon or provides a small status page confirming it is listening locally.
  5. Connect your Trezor with a supported cable and open the web wallet or desktop app. When prompted to connect, grant access and verify the connection confirmation on the Trezor device screen.

If the app or browser can’t connect immediately after install, restart your browser or the computer. On Linux you may need to add udev rules so non-root users can access USB devices — consult the official docs for the exact rule file.

Security best practices

Bridge only relays messages, but your overall security depends on the way you use it. Apply these non-negotiable practices:

  • Download official builds: always get installers from the official vendor site and verify checksums/signatures if available.
  • Keep firmware updated: keep your Trezor firmware current, updating only via official methods and verifying update notifications on the device.
  • Confirm on-device: every time you sign a transaction or approve an address, verify the full details on the Trezor screen — malware can alter desktop displays but cannot change the device’s on-screen information.
  • Limit Bridge runtime (optional): for a stricter posture, quit Bridge when you are not actively using it so it is not running in the background 24/7.
  • Beware phishing: bookmark trusted sites and double-check domain names before connecting. Never enter your recovery seed anywhere — hardware wallets require seeds be entered only on the device, never on a computer or website.

Everyday use — tips for reliability

Connectivity tips

  • Keep Bridge running during an active session to avoid repeated permission prompts.
  • Use a high-quality cable and avoid unpowered hubs that may drop the connection.
  • Close unused browser tabs that might hold stale sessions or conflicting device requests.

Safe signing habits

  • Verify receiving addresses on the device before sharing them with a sender.
  • When interacting with smart contracts, review and understand the permissions/approvals before signing.
  • If a request looks odd, cancel and re-check the transaction in the app and on-device before resubmitting.

Migration & restore — moving seeds and accounts

Bridge is a connectivity layer and does not store wallet data, but you will frequently use it when migrating accounts or restoring seeds. Here are common scenarios and recommended safe steps.

Migrating funds from an exchange or custodial wallet

  1. Create or restore your hardware wallet and confirm you have a secure copy of the recovery seed stored offline.
  2. In the wallet app connected through Bridge, generate a receive address from your Trezor and verify it on-device.
  3. Send a small test amount from the exchange to this address. After confirmations, transfer the remaining funds.
  4. For tokens on smart contract chains, ensure the receiving address supports that token and that you’ve added any necessary token metadata in your wallet app.

Restoring a seed on a new device

  1. Confirm the seed is correct and complete before wiping or replacing any device.
  2. Use the device’s official restore flow; enter the seed only on the hardware device when prompted — never on a computer.
  3. After restore, update firmware and verify accounts and addresses in the wallet app via Bridge.
  4. If you suspect the seed was exposed at any time, migrate funds to a newly generated seed immediately.

Troubleshooting — common issues & fixes

Bridge not detected

  1. Confirm Bridge is running (check tray icon or status page). Restart it if necessary.
  2. Restart the browser and clear site data for the wallet site, then reconnect.
  3. Reinstall Bridge using the latest official installer if the problem persists.

Intermittent disconnects

  • Try another USB cable and port; avoid USB hubs that can be unreliable.
  • Disable laptop power-saving settings that suspend USB ports.
  • Ensure both Bridge and device firmware versions are up to date.

Linux-specific permissions

On many Linux distributions you need to install udev rules so non-root users can access USB devices. After adding the rule file, reload udev rules with sudo udevadm control --reload-rules and reconnect the device. Follow official vendor documentation for precise instructions.

Persistent browser permission prompts

Clear the browser’s site permissions/cache or test in another supported browser to isolate browser-specific behavior. Grant persistent permission if the site and browser offer it after verifying the domain is correct.

FAQ — quick answers

Does Bridge see my private keys?

No. Bridge only relays structured messages; private keys and signing remain isolated on the Trezor device itself.

Is Bridge required for mobile?

No — Bridge is for desktop connectivity. Mobile integrations usually use Bluetooth (if supported) or designated mobile connectors. Refer to mobile wallet documentation for specifics.

How do I update Bridge?

Download and run the latest installer from the official downloads page. The new installer will replace the existing Bridge application. Some OS package managers may provide updates through their channels.

What if I suspect a compromised installer?

If you have any suspicion, do not run it. Delete the file, download from the official site, and optionally verify cryptographic checksums or signatures if the vendor provides them. Contact official support for guidance.

Final recommendations

Trezor Bridge offers a practical and secure way to connect your hardware wallet to desktop applications. Its security model depends on you: use only official installers, verify device prompts on-screen, keep firmware and Bridge updated, and never reveal your recovery seed. When migrating funds or restoring seeds, test with small amounts first and document non-sensitive configuration details such as derivation paths or multisig policies so restores are predictable. If something looks wrong or you see unexpected prompts, stop and consult official documentation or support — never share sensitive secrets with anyone.