Trezor Bridge — Secure Connection for Your Trezor

Trezor Bridge is the local communication layer that lets your Trezor hardware wallet talk securely to the Trezor Suite and other compatible applications. This guide explains what Bridge does, how to install and configure it safely, and how to troubleshoot common connection issues.

What is Trezor Bridge?

Trezor Bridge is a small application that runs on your computer and provides a secure API between your operating system's USB subsystem and wallet applications (for example, Trezor Suite). It acts as a mediator so your browser or desktop app can detect and communicate with the Trezor device without exposing the device directly to the web.

Why Bridge matters for security

Trezor Bridge reduces attack surface by providing a controlled, signed binary that handles low-level USB communication and enforces interaction boundaries. It also enables the wallet app to request user confirmation on the device for sensitive actions such as transactions and firmware updates — keeping private keys safe inside the hardware.

Pre-install checklist

Use a trusted computer with up‑to‑date OS and security patches.
Download Bridge only from official sources you trust (verify checksums/signatures if available).
Have your Trezor device, USB cable, and PIN ready for setup.
Close other applications that may attempt to access USB devices (virtual machine software, custom drivers) to reduce interference during installation.

Installing Trezor Bridge — quick steps

Download the Bridge installer for your platform (Windows, macOS, Linux) from the official Trezor source.
Run the installer and follow on‑screen prompts. On some systems administrative privileges may be required.
After installation, start your wallet application (Trezor Suite or compatible app). The application should detect the Bridge service and prompt you to connect your device.
Connect your Trezor via USB, unlock it using your PIN, and approve connection prompts on the device when asked.

Tip: If your browser refuses to detect the device, ensure the Bridge service is running and that your browser is allowed to communicate with it (some browser privacy settings or extensions can block local connections).

macOS & Linux specifics

On macOS and Linux, Bridge may require granting additional permissions or installing udev rules (Linux) to allow non‑root access to USB devices. Follow the platform guidance provided during the installer prompts.

macOS: you may be asked to allow the Bridge binary in System Preferences > Security & Privacy after installation.
Linux: follow udev instructions and restart the udev service or reboot to apply rules. Running the wallet app as a normal user should then detect the device.

Windows specifics

On Windows, installers typically include signed drivers and should work with default security prompts. If you have prior USB driver conflicts, consider reinstalling the Bridge after removing conflicting drivers.

Troubleshooting common Bridge issues

Bridge not running or not detected

Check running processes for the Bridge service. Restart the service and your application. Rebooting the computer can also clear stuck USB state and reinitialize permissions.

Device not recognized

Try a different USB cable or port (avoid USB hubs where possible). Verify the device powers on and displays the expected Trezor logo. If the device appears physically fine, reinstall Bridge and ensure no other applications have grabbed exclusive access to the USB device.

Permission or driver errors (Linux / macOS)

On Linux, ensure udev rules are installed and that your user is a member of groups required to access USB (e.g., plugdev). On macOS, allow the Bridge binary in system security preferences if the OS blocks it.

When to update or reinstall Bridge

Install updates when prompted by the official wallet software — updates can include security fixes and compatibility improvements.
If you experience persistent detection or connection issues, reinstalling Bridge after a clean uninstall can resolve corrupted installations.
Before major OS upgrades, check compatibility notes and reinstall Bridge if the OS update changes USB subsystems.

Best practices and privacy considerations

Run Bridge only on trusted machines — avoid using public or shared computers for managing hardware wallets.
Bridge only handles local USB communication; it does not transmit your recovery seed or private keys to remote servers.
Review release notes and verify downloads using checksums or digital signatures where provided to ensure you have an authentic binary.
Limit background processes and browser extensions that may interfere with local TCP/USB communication.

Advanced topics

Developers and advanced users can integrate with Bridge using the documented local API. For custom integrations, follow secure coding practices, avoid exposing Bridge to networks, and sandbox the calling process where practical.