What is Trezor Bridge?
Trezor Bridge is a small background application that allows your Trezor hardware wallet to communicate securely with your computer and supported web browsers. It acts as the middleman, enabling seamless interaction between your device and Trezor Wallet or third-party web apps.
Without Trezor Bridge, your browser wouldn't be able to detect or communicate with your device due to USB access restrictions. Bridge makes this communication secure, fast, and efficient.
Why Trezor Bridge is Necessary
Modern web browsers restrict direct access to USB devices for security reasons. To connect your Trezor hardware wallet with web interfaces (like Trezor Suite Web), you need a bridge — a secure service that facilitates encrypted communication between the browser and device.
Trezor Bridge solves this by:
- Allowing browser-based apps to detect your Trezor
- Maintaining secure connections between browser and device
- Providing a lightweight alternative to installing full desktop apps
How to Install Trezor Bridge
Installation is quick and simple. Follow these steps:
- Go to https://trezor.io/start
- Select your device and operating system
- Click on “Install Trezor Bridge”
- Download the installer for Windows, macOS, or Linux
- Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions
Once installed, Trezor Bridge runs quietly in the background and auto-starts when your computer boots up.
Supported Platforms
Trezor Bridge supports the following platforms:
- Windows: 10 and higher
- macOS: 10.13 (High Sierra) and higher
- Linux: Debian-based distributions, Fedora, Arch, and more
- Browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Brave (Edge support limited)
How Trezor Bridge Works
Once installed, Trezor Bridge listens on a local port (usually 127.0.0.1:21325) and handles encrypted messages between your browser and the Trezor device.
Whenever you open Trezor Suite Web or a supported third-party site, it sends requests to Trezor Bridge, which in turn talks to your connected device. This secure channel ensures that sensitive actions — like signing transactions — happen safely and offline.
Trezor Suite vs. Trezor Bridge
Many users ask: Should I use Trezor Suite or Trezor Bridge?
Trezor Suite is a full-featured desktop application that includes the latest features, privacy tools (like Tor and CoinJoin), and doesn't require Bridge.
Trezor Bridge is mainly for those who prefer using Trezor in a browser environment. It's a great lightweight solution when you don’t want to install a desktop app.
Security & Privacy
Trezor Bridge does not store your private keys or any wallet data. It only facilitates secure communication. All sensitive data is handled directly on your Trezor hardware device and never exposed to your computer or browser.
Additionally, Trezor Bridge is open-source, and its code is publicly available for review. This ensures transparency and community-driven trust.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
- Bridge not detected: Make sure it's installed and running. Restart your browser or computer if necessary.
- “Please install Bridge” error: Clear your browser cache and ensure no firewall or antivirus is blocking the connection.
- Device not recognized: Check your USB cable (data capable), try another port, and ensure firmware is up to date.
- Conflicting apps: Close other wallet apps that might be using the device.
Uninstalling Trezor Bridge
If you decide to switch to Trezor Suite or stop using browser interfaces, you can uninstall Bridge from your computer:
- On Windows: Use the Add/Remove Programs feature
- On macOS: Delete from Applications and remove launch agents
- On Linux: Use your distro’s package manager or delete manually
Remember to restart your browser after uninstalling to remove any cached settings.
Conclusion
Trezor Bridge is an essential tool that makes it possible to connect your Trezor hardware wallet to browser-based apps without compromising security. Lightweight, secure, and easy to install, it’s ideal for users who prefer flexibility and browser-based wallet management.
Whether you're interacting with DeFi platforms, checking your balance, or signing smart contracts, Trezor Bridge helps you do it safely — by always requiring your hardware wallet to approve every action.
To get started with Trezor Bridge, head over to trezor.io/start and download the latest version for your system.