Trézor Brídge — Desktop Connector for Trezor Hardware Wallets
Trezor Bridge is a lightweight desktop service that allows your Trezor hardware wallet to communicate securely with browsers and desktop apps. It runs locally, bridges USB/HID connections, and enables wallet interactions without exposing private keys to websites.
Quick Install
Download the official bridge installer for your OS and follow the steps to allow browser connectivity to your hardware wallet. Always use the official source: official link.
How Bridge Works
Trezor Bridge runs as a local service and creates an isolated channel between your browser and the hardware device. It exposes a local endpoint that wallet apps can use to communicate securely with the device without granting websites direct USB access.
Security Model
Private keys never leave your Trezor. Bridge only proxies requests and responses. The bridge service runs locally and can be validated via its certificate and local host port binding to prevent remote access.
Troubleshooting
Common fixes include reinstalling Bridge, ensuring the device is unlocked, using different USB ports, disabling conflicting USB drivers, and confirming your OS allows local services. The support section includes logs and diagnostics.
Trezor Bridge — installation, security considerations, and best practices
Trezor Bridge is an essential piece for desktop users of Trezor hardware wallets who rely on browser-based wallet interfaces, desktop wallet clients, and certain integrations that require a local USB/HID conduit. Unlike browser extensions that request direct USB access, Bridge runs as a small background service on your machine and acts as a controlled intermediary. This design balances convenience and security: websites interact with a local endpoint rather than the USB stack, while the hardware device remains the single source of truth for private keys and signing operations.
Installation is straightforward. After downloading the official installer from the Trezor website (always confirm you are on the correct domain and that the download is signed), run the package appropriate for your operating system. During the first run, Bridge usually needs permission to run as a background service and to open a local loopback port, typically bound to 127.0.0.1 with an ephemeral port. Modern installers automate this step, but power users and system administrators should review system prompts carefully to avoid inadvertently granting network exposure.
From a security perspective, the most important guarantee is that private keys never leave the Trezor device. Bridge performs no cryptographic operations on its own; it merely forwards JSON‑RPC style messages between the wallet frontend and the hardware. This means that even if your browser or the local service were compromised, an attacker would still need physical access to the device (or the PIN/passphrase) to approve sensitive operations. However, attackers may still attempt to trick users into approving malicious transactions. Always verify transaction details on the device’s screen before confirming any signature — the Trezor display is the ultimate source of truth.
Troubleshooting common issues often resolves connectivity problems quickly. If your browser cannot detect the device, first ensure Bridge is running (check the system tray or process list). Try reconnecting the device, toggling USB modes (some models expose a web/bridge mode), or switching cables/ports. On Windows, driver conflicts sometimes prevent proper HID enumeration; reinstalling Bridge or updating system USB drivers can help. On macOS and Linux, permission issues may appear; ensure your user has access to the USB device node or run installer steps as root when required.
For enterprise or shared environments, be cautious about leaving Bridge installed on public or multi-user machines. Because Bridge opens a local port, malicious software running on the same system could potentially issue commands to the bridge if it can access the local endpoint. While this still cannot extract private keys, it could prompt the user to approve malicious transactions. Use hardened workstations, limit software installation privileges, and consider using a dedicated signing workstation for high-value operations.
Updating Bridge is simple but should be done from official sources only. Each release addresses compatibility and security fixes; automated update checks can notify you of new versions. When updating, follow the standard security practice: verify the checksum or signature when available, and avoid mirror sites or third-party distributions.
Backup and recovery remain your primary safety net. Your recovery seed is the only way to restore funds if a device is lost or damaged. Bridge has no role in seed management; keep your seed offline and stored securely. If you use passphrases in addition to the seed, document your management strategy and treat those passphrases as sensitive secrets.
Finally, consider additional hardening measures: enable device passphrase protection, use a separate machine for signing when performing large transactions, and combine Bridge with hardware-backed multi-sig or time-lock controls where appropriate. These tools together create layers of defense that significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized transfers.
If you encounter persistent issues, Trezor’s support resources include detailed logs, diagnostic commands, and a support portal for guided help. For developers integrating Bridge into custom tooling, consult the official Bridge API documentation, adhere to recommended message validation, and never rely solely on the frontend to assert transaction contents — always surface explicit confirmation on the hardware device.