Trezor® Bridge Guide | Secure Connection for Your Hardware
A clear, practical walkthrough to connect, troubleshoot, and move from Trezor Bridge to Trezor Suite safely.
Introduction — what is Trezor Bridge?
Trezor Bridge historically acted as the local communication layer between your Trezor hardware wallet and web apps (or older desktop integrations). It established a secure, local connection so your browser or application could talk directly to the device without exposing private keys to the internet. Over time, the project evolved and many workflows migrated to Trezor Suite and native protocols like WebUSB, but Bridge remains important for some legacy setups and certain OS configurations.
Why a secure local connector matters
When you use a hardware wallet, the goal is to keep private keys isolated. The communication pathway — whether it's WebUSB, native app, or Bridge — must be trustworthy and minimal. A compromised connector could enable man-in-the-middle or injection attacks; therefore signed official software, verified downloads, and careful firmware practices are fundamental.
Bridge vs. Suite vs. WebUSB
There are three common approaches today:
- Trezor Suite: the official desktop & web application that bundles modern communication methods and handles firmware updates.
- Trezor Bridge (legacy): a lightweight local server used by older web UIs or integrations that don't use WebUSB.
- WebUSB / native APIs: in-browser direct access where supported — reduces need for standalone Bridge.
When to use Bridge
Use Bridge only if your OS/app requires it or when working with a third-party integration that explicitly lists Bridge as a dependency. If you can run the latest Trezor Suite or use a supported browser with WebUSB, that is recommended for the simplest and most supported experience.
Security checklist before installing
- Only download Bridge from official Trezor sources (trezor.io or verified GitHub releases).
- Verify checksums/signatures where provided.
- Keep device firmware updated using the official Suite workflow.
- Avoid third-party mirrors or installers — they increase risk.
Step-by-step: install & verify
1) Visit the official Trezor site (links below). 2) Download only the release matching your OS. 3) Verify the file signature or checksum if available. 4) Run the installer, then follow device prompts. 5) If you plan to use Trezor Suite, consider the combined Suite download which may remove the need for separate Bridge.
Troubleshooting common issues
Problems commonly arise from USB cables, system permissions, or outdated Bridge/Suite versions. Check cable quality (data+power), try alternate USB ports, uninstall conflicting Bridge instances, and ensure OS-level drivers are correct. For Linux users without systemd, Bridge packages may have additional dependencies.
Removing standalone Bridge
If you migrate to Trezor Suite (recommended when possible), uninstall the standalone Bridge per the official instructions for macOS, Windows, or Linux to avoid clashes. Always follow official removal steps — manual deletion risks leftover services.
Advanced: firmware & developer notes
Firmware management should be done through Trezor Suite. Developers can consult the official trezord / trezord-go repositories and the Trezor GitHub org for details about local communication servers and protocols. If you build integrations, prefer the canonical APIs and follow the security guidance in the developer docs.
Best practices for enterprises and integrators
- Prefer signed releases from the Trezor website or verified GitHub releases.
- Keep a pinned version in CI and verify signatures in automated installs.
- Document procedures for firmware updates and audited checksums.
Conclusion — smooth, secure usage
Bridge served an important role in bridging browser limitations to hardware devices. Today, the recommended path for most users is Trezor Suite or direct WebUSB where available; Bridge is still useful in specific legacy cases. Always use official channels and verification steps to keep your hardware wallet environment secure.