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Trezor Bridge® is the official software component developed by SatoshiLabs designed to securely connect a Trezor hardware wallet to a user’s computer, web browsers, and desktop applications. It acts as a lightweight, background communication service that enables tools like Trezor Suite and supported web applications to detect and interact with Trezor devices for account management, signing transactions, firmware updates, and other wallet actions.
Bridge solves the modern challenge that mainstream web browsers and desktop environments cannot directly access USB-connected hardware wallets (due to security restrictions and incompatible drivers) without a trusted intermediary.
In simple terms, Trezor Bridge® is a small, locally installed background service that:
Acts as a secure communication layer between your computer and your Trezor hardware wallet.
Replaces legacy browser plugins or custom drivers that were previously required for hardware wallet connectivity.
Enables compatibility across major platforms — including web browsers and operating systems like Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Facilitates interactions with Trezor Suite, browser-based wallets, and supported third-party apps.
When Bridge is installed, your browser or crypto application sends encrypted commands to Bridge, which then relays them to the hardware wallet via USB. The hardware device performs the actual cryptographic operations (like signing transactions), and Bridge passes responses back to the host application.
Modern operating systems and browsers intentionally limit direct USB access for security reasons. Without Bridge, web interfaces or desktop apps wouldn’t reliably detect or communicate with a connected hardware wallet.
Browser USB Access Limitations
Many browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Brave, restrict or standardize how USB devices are accessed. Bridge provides a local proxy/service that bridges (hence the name) the communication gap so that wallet interfaces can function without depending on browser-specific USB APIs.
Security Architecture
Trezor Bridge® is structured so that:
Private keys never leave the hardware wallet.
Bridge never stores or processes private keys — it only routes encrypted commands.
Sensitive operations (signing, addresses, recovery) always occur on the Trezor device itself.
These design decisions ensure that even if Bridge were compromised, private keys remain protected on the hardware device.
Installation: You download and install Trezor Bridge® from the official Trezor website (e.g., via trezor.io/start).
Startup: Bridge runs automatically on your machine as a background service once installed.
Device Connection: When you connect your Trezor hardware wallet via USB, Bridge detects the device.
Application Communication: Wallet software or web apps send JSON-RPC style requests to Bridge.
Secure Relay: Bridge securely forwards those requests to the hardware device and relays signed responses back.
User Confirmation: All sensitive actions require physical confirmation on the Trezor device screen.
Because Bridge runs locally and listens only on localhost, it doesn’t expose your device to external network attacks.
Always download Trezor Bridge from the official Trezor website (e.g., trezor.io/start or trezor.io/bridge) to avoid phishing or counterfeit software.
Installation Steps
Windows: Run the installer executable and follow prompts.
macOS: Open the downloaded .dmg and allow the system to install/approve Bridge.
Linux: Install via the provided package and ensure it runs as a background service.
Browser Restart: After installation, restart your browser for Bridge detection.
Once installed, Bridge launches automatically and begins listening when needed — you usually don’t need to start it manually.
With Bridge installed, your hardware wallet becomes interoperable with:
Trezor Suite (Web or Desktop) — official asset management platform.
Supported web wallets and decentralized apps (via Trezor Connect).
Third-party integrations that support hardware wallet connectivity.
When an interface launches that requires device access, it checks for Bridge — and if it isn’t detected, it will prompt for installation.
Trezor Bridge® uses local-only, encrypted communication, ensuring:
Bridge doesn’t access or transmit your private keys.
All sensitive actions are verified and confirmed on the physical Trezor device.
The connection is isolated from external network access.
Best Practices
Always use official downloads and verify authenticity.
Keep Bridge, your browser, and Trezor Suite updated.
Approve operations only on your Trezor device screen.
Avoid installing Bridge from unofficial sites to minimize malware risk.
Trezor Bridge® supports:
Operating Systems: Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Brave, and other modern browsers with support for local connections via Bridge.
Applications: Trezor Suite (web/desktop) and compatible third-party wallets.
This broad compatibility makes Bridge the standard communication tool for most wallet interfaces that require hardware wallet support.
You typically need Trezor Bridge® when:
Using a web version of Trezor Suite or browser-based wallets.
Connecting your Trezor device to any application that doesn’t natively include hardware wallet drivers.
Your browser prompts for Bridge installation because it cannot directly access the hardware wallet.
For native desktop apps — such as the standalone Trezor Suite client — Bridge may already be bundled or unnecessary.
Common issues and solutions:
Device not detected: Ensure Bridge is installed and running, restart your browser, reconnect the USB, or try a different cable.
Browser warnings: Allow permissions and verify you are connected to legitimate sites (e.g., suite.trezor.io).
Conflicts with old plugins: Remove deprecated browser extensions and rely on Bridge.
Conclusion
Trezor Bridge® is the official, secure connection software required to bridge the gap between Trezor hardware wallets and modern desktop/browser environments. It ensures encrypted, reliable communication that keeps your private keys offline while enabling seamless interaction with wallet interfaces, transaction signing, firmware updates, and more. Always download it from official Trezor resources, keep it up to date, and confirm interactions on your hardware device for maximum security.