Trezor Bridge — The Secure Gateway to Your Hardware Wallet®

A concise, practical 1500-word guide to installing and using Trezor Bridge safely on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

What is Trezor Bridge?

Trezor Bridge is a small, local helper program that enables communication between your computer's browser or desktop app and your Trezor® hardware wallet over USB. It runs on your machine and acts as a secure translator — the browser talks to Bridge, Bridge talks to the device. Importantly, Bridge does not hold your private keys or recovery seed; it simply facilitates safe and convenient device access.

Why you need Bridge

Modern browsers restrict direct USB access for security reasons. Trezor Bridge provides a controlled, audited path for the browser or Trezor Suite to open that USB channel. If you're using the web version of Trezor Suite or certain third-party wallet integrations, Bridge is the little piece that makes the connection seamless.

Before you start — quick security checklist

  • Download Bridge only from the official site: trezor.io.
  • Verify HTTPS and avoid third-party mirrors.
  • Do not enter your recovery seed into any computer or website — the device shows your seed on its own screen.
  • Keep your OS and browser up to date.

Download & install (step-by-step)

Choose the installer that matches your operating system. Below are platform-specific notes and the minimal commands you'll need.

Windows

  1. Download the Windows installer (typically trezor-bridge-setup.exe).
  2. Run the installer and accept any User Account Control (UAC) prompts.
  3. After installation, look for the Bridge icon in the system tray (near the clock) to confirm it's running.
  4. If your browser still can't connect, restart the browser or reboot the PC.

macOS

  1. Download the macOS package (.dmg or .pkg) from the official page.
  2. Open the package and follow the installer steps. On newer macOS releases you may need to allow Bridge in System Settings → Privacy & Security.
  3. Confirm Bridge is running in the menu bar; restart your browser if needed.

Linux

Linux users often use packaged installers or a generic Bridge binary. You may also need to add udev rules so the device is accessible without root.

# Example udev rule (run as root)
echo 'SUBSYSTEM=="usb", ATTR{idVendor}=="534c", MODE="0664", GROUP="plugdev"' > /etc/udev/rules.d/51-trezor.rules
udevadm control --reload-rules
udevadm trigger

If your distribution uses a package manager (apt, dnf, pacman), prefer the packaged Bridge when available — it integrates with system services.

Using Bridge with Trezor Suite (web) or Suite Desktop

Open Trezor Suite (desktop) or visit the web Suite. If using the web Suite, the site will check for Bridge and prompt you to install it if missing. After Bridge is installed and running, connect your Trezor device with the original cable and follow on-screen prompts. Always approve key actions on the device's physical screen.

Troubleshooting — common issues and fixes

Browser can't detect device

  • Ensure Bridge is running (system tray or menu bar).
  • Try a different USB port or cable — stick to the original cable if possible; some cables are power-only.
  • Restart the browser. Close all browser windows before re-opening.
  • Disable browser extensions that might block USB or web-assembly features.

Permission errors on Linux

Check that udev rules are installed and that your user is in the correct group (often plugdev). Log out and back in after adding rules or group membership changes.

Bridge not starting after install

  • On Windows, run the installer as Administrator and reboot if prompted.
  • On macOS, check Security & Privacy settings for blocked components.
  • On Linux, ensure Bridge is executable and that dependencies (libc, system libraries) are present.

Advanced notes — programmatic & developer use

Developers integrating with Trezor Bridge should follow the official API docs. Bridge exposes a local HTTP/WebSocket interface used by official apps; if you build third-party integrations, make sure all flows request explicit user consent and never route recovery phrases or private keys through servers.

Security best practices

  • Verify downloads: always use the official domain and HTTPS. If available, compare checksums or signatures published by the vendor.
  • Confirm on-device: the Trezor device display is the final check for addresses and transaction details.
  • Keep Bridge up to date: updates may include stability and security fixes. Reinstall from the official page when prompted.
  • Limit exposure: only use Bridge on machines you trust. Avoid installing it on publicly shared or insecure systems.

FAQ

Do I always need Bridge?

Not always. If you're using the Suite desktop app it may connect directly without Bridge. Bridge is required for certain browser-based flows and some third-party apps.

Is Bridge safe?

Bridge is a local helper that simply relays messages between the host and the device. When obtained from official sources and kept updated, it is safe. The most important safety factor is protecting your recovery seed — Bridge never has access to it.

Can Bridge work over network or remote machine?

No — Bridge is designed to run locally on the machine that physically connects to the Trezor device. Avoid attempts to forward USB over the network for sensitive signing tasks; doing so risks exposing your device to intermediaries.

What to gather before contacting support

If you need help from official Trezor support, gather:

  • OS and version (e.g., Windows 11, macOS Ventura, Ubuntu 24.04).
  • Bridge version (shown in the Bridge app or installer notes).
  • Exact error messages and browser console logs if possible (don't include your recovery phrase!).
  • Steps to reproduce the issue and screenshots of any prompts or errors (again, never show your seed).

Quick startup checklist

  1. Download Trezor Bridge from the official site.
  2. Run the installer appropriate for your OS and confirm Bridge is running.
  3. Connect your Trezor device with the original cable and open Suite (web or desktop).
  4. Allow the browser or app to use Bridge, then confirm actions on the device screen.
Tip: If you move between machines often, consider installing Suite Desktop on trusted systems instead of relying on web + Bridge for frequent use — fewer moving parts means fewer potential connection issues.

Concluding notes

Trezor Bridge is a simple but critical piece of the hardware wallet experience — a local, lightweight bridge that makes secure USB communication possible for browsers and apps. Install it only from official sources, use it only on trusted machines, and always verify addresses and transactions on your Trezor device. With those habits in place, Bridge helps make hardware wallet use smooth and secure.