Your Secure Communication Layer for Trezor Hardware Wallets
Trezor Bridge is a lightweight, dedicated background service designed to securely connect your Trezor hardware wallet to your browser, desktop apps, and Web3 applications. It acts as a local mediator, handling USB communication, coordinating permissions, and ensuring that your private keys remain protected inside your Trezor device at all times.
Modern web browsers and operating systems each have quirks and restrictions when it comes to direct USB access. Trezor Bridge abstracts away these complexities and provides a stable, dependable interface for wallets, dApps, and browser tools to speak to your Trezor hardware. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
With these features, Trezor Bridge ensures consistent device detection across browser updates and OS changes, eliminating connection inconsistencies or permission errors. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Installing and using Trezor Bridge is straightforward. Here's a step‑by‑step guide:
If everything goes well, your browser-based wallet or dApp should now see the Trezor device and be able to request signatures, export public keys, or perform wallet functions—always with your approval. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
Security is central to the design of Trezor Bridge. It is built so that **no sensitive material ever leaves your hardware wallet**. The Bridge is only a relay of messages between your app and the device. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
Because Bridge runs locally (typically listening only on `localhost`), it does not expose your wallet to remote servers or web services. All traffic stays confined to your machine. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
Additionally, every critical action—such as sending a transaction or changing wallet settings—must be physically approved on the Trezor device itself. This ensures you remain in control at all times. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
Because of this architecture, malicious actors can’t intercept or inject unauthorized commands (unless your local machine is already compromised). Always verify what is shown on the Trezor screen before confirming. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
Even so, there have been some user reports of “Bridge not running” or repeated prompts to install it, likely due to configuration, browser or OS quirks. :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12} These are usually resolved by reinstalling, ensuring Bridge runs at startup, or switching browsers.
Not necessarily. If you use the **Trezor Suite desktop app**, Bridge may not be required, since the app can connect directly to the hardware via USB. :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13} Bridge is primarily needed for browser-based workflows in environments where WebUSB support is inconsistent. :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}
Yes. The official Bridge is open to audit, signed by Trezor’s developers, and carefully limited in scope. :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15} However, malicious clones or spoofed “Bridge” installers are a real threat. Always download from the official Trezor site. :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}
Some possible fixes:
Over time, browser support for WebUSB and related APIs is improving. In cases where WebUSB works flawlessly across your OS and browser, Bridge may no longer be strictly necessary. :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19} However, for now, Bridge remains the recommended fallback to ensure compatibility. :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}
Yes, you can uninstall or disable Bridge. But if you use browser-based Trezor interactions later, you'll need to reinstall it (in setups that require it). :contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21}