Trezor Bridge - Connect Your Trezor Device

A hands-on, practical guide to installing, using, and troubleshooting Trezor Bridge — with security tips and alternatives.

Why this guide matters

If you use a Trezor hardware wallet, you may have encountered the Trezor Bridge prompt: a small application that lets your web browser and desktop apps communicate securely with the Trezor device over USB. This guide walks you through what Bridge does, how to install it safely, when it's needed, and what to do if you run into problems.

Official: trezor.io/start Official: trezor.io/bridge Official: trezor.io/trezor-suite trezor.io/start trezor.io/bridge trezor.io/trezor-suite trezor.io/start trezor.io/bridge trezor.io/start trezor.io/bridge

H1 — What is Trezor Bridge?

Trezor Bridge is (or historically was) a small background program that allows your browser or the Trezor Suite to talk to your Trezor hardware wallet via USB. It acts as a local WebUSB / transport shim so websites and apps can send messages to the device securely, and the Trezor can respond after you physically confirm actions on the device.

H2 — When is Bridge necessary?

Historically, Bridge was required for browser-based flows (e.g., using wallet.trezor.io) on systems and browsers that did not provide direct support for the specific USB transport. However, Trezor has steadily moved users to the Trezor Suite (desktop and web) and to alternate connection flows. For current guidance and downloads, always consult the official Trezor pages. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

H3 — The recommended approach today

Trezor today encourages use of the Trezor Suite (desktop or the web suite) for the best experience, and notes that the standalone Bridge application has been deprecated and should be uninstalled where applicable. If you are unsure whether you need Bridge, check the official Trezor docs and the Trezor Suite download pages. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

H2 — Where to download Bridge (and Trezor Suite)

If you still need a Bridge download for a legacy setup, Trezor provides signed packages and download pages — but be cautious: the official sources are served from trezor.io and their certified data endpoints. Always verify signatures where provided and prefer the Trezor Suite desktop app when possible. For retained Bridge binaries, Trezor’s data hosting listing contains the latest bridge packages for Linux, macOS and Windows. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

H3 — Quick safety checklist before any download

H1 — Step-by-step: Installing Trezor Bridge

Below is a careful, step-by-step installation guide. These steps assume you are using a modern OS (Windows, macOS, or Linux).

H2 — 1) Confirm your needs

If you are setting up a new Trezor, check first whether the Trezor Suite desktop app solves your task — this usually eliminates the need for Bridge. If a specific web wallet requests Bridge, double-check the URL and the page's documentation before proceeding. If the prompt originates from a legitimate trezor.io domain or suite, proceed to the download steps on the official pages. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

H2 — 2) Download from official sources

Visit the official Trezor start or bridge pages (examples: https://trezor.io/start or https://trezor.io/bridge). Choose the correct OS installer. The Trezor team often provides PGP-signed installers and checksums for verification. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

H3 — 3) Run the installer safely

Follow the installer prompts. On macOS you may need to approve system-level permissions (or allow an unsigned system extension if older versions are used). Windows users may need to allow drivers — only accept drivers that are clearly from Trezor and digitally signed whenever possible.

H3 — 4) Verify installation & connect

After installation, Bridge typically runs in the background as a system service or tray helper. Connect your Trezor via USB and open the Trezor Suite or the web wallet that requested Bridge. The wallet UI should detect the device and prompt you to confirm operations on the hardware wallet's screen.

H1 — Troubleshooting common Bridge problems

H2 — Problem: Browser can't detect my Trezor

If the browser fails to detect the device, try:

H3 — Quick fixes

H2 — Problem: "Bridge is deprecated" notice

You may see messaging from Trezor that the standalone Bridge is deprecated. In that case, uninstall the standalone Bridge and migrate to Trezor Suite or the supported web flow as instructed on Trezor’s docs. The deprecation announcement and guidance are documented on the official Trezor site. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

H2 — Problem: Drivers on Windows

If Windows reports unsigned driver warnings, ensure you downloaded the official installer. Use the driver-verification options in Windows (Driver Signature Enforcement) only when you are certain the driver is legitimate. When in doubt, use the desktop Suite or contact Trezor support.

H1 — Security: Best practices when using any bridge/adapter

Hardware wallets protect keys by requiring physical confirmation for transactions. But the host side (your computer) still matters. Keep these best practices in mind:

H3 — Keep software up to date

Always run the official and latest Trezor Suite releases, and uninstall outdated Bridge components if Trezor recommends doing so. Periodically check trezor.io/trezor-suite for official releases and verification instructions. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

H3 — Verify downloads & signatures

Where PGP signatures or checksums are provided, verify them. This reduces risk from tampered installers or man-in-the-middle interference.

H3 — Use a secure host

Avoid installing or running Bridge on untrusted machines. Use a clean, up-to-date OS with antivirus/malware protections and limit unnecessary software on the host.

H2 — When Bridge is not the issue

Many connection problems are host-side (USB port, cable, OS permissions) rather than Bridge itself. Try a different cable, different USB port, or another computer to isolate the failure.

H1 — Alternatives to standalone Bridge

Over time, Trezor has encouraged users to move away from standalone Bridge and instead use:

H3 — Trezor Suite (desktop)

The Trezor Suite desktop app provides a fully featured, secure environment to manage your device without requiring a separate Bridge installation in most cases. Download and verify it from the official Trezor Suite page. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}

H3 — Web Suite / Connect flows

Some web flows now use browser-based transports in combination with secure popups (connect.trezor.io endpoints) which can reduce the need for background Bridge services. Use these only if they originate from Trezor’s official domains or trusted third-party wallets. (If the web page prompts unexpectedly for Bridge, double-check the URL and the certificate chain in your browser before proceeding.) :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}

H1 — Advanced: Verifying and inspecting Bridge packages

Power users may prefer to verify installer signatures or manually inspect binaries. The Trezor site provides PGP-signed installers and instructions for verification; consult their download/verify pages for exact commands and keys. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}

H2 — Example verification steps (high level)

  1. Download the installer and the corresponding signature file from trezor.io or the official mirror.
  2. Import Trezor’s PGP signing key (as documented by Trezor).
  3. Use gpg --verify installer.sig installer.exe (or the platform equivalent) to confirm the signature.

H1 — Common myths & clarifications

H2 — Myth: Bridge can sign transactions without the device

False. The Bridge only transports messages between the host and the Trezor. All signing requires physical confirmation on the device itself. Even if the Bridge is compromised, the attacker cannot produce valid signatures without physical access to the Trezor and confirmation on its screen.

H2 — Myth: Any Bridge-like program will do

Not all Bridge-like programs are equal. Use only official Trezor-provided software or trusted wallets that clearly document their transport. Downloading third-party "compatibility" tools from unknown sources is risky.

H1 — Practical tips for a smooth experience

H3 — Keep a recovery plan

Always keep your recovery seed secure and offline. If you ever lose or must replace the Trezor device, the seed is the only safe way to recover funds.

H3 — Try a secondary host

If a host machine repeatedly misbehaves, try a trusted second machine. This helps identify whether the problem is the host or the Trezor/Bridge.

H3 — Log issues and reach out

Trezor maintains community forums and documentation. If you suspect a genuine product issue, gather logs and screenshots and raise a ticket or consult the official guides. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}

H1 — When to uninstall Bridge

If Trezor explicitly states that standalone Bridge is deprecated and recommends uninstalling it for your platform, follow their guidance. Deprecation messaging exists because the product team moves users to safer or more integrated alternatives (like Suite). See their deprecation guide for exact removal instructions and rationale. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}

H1 — Summary and final checklist

Trezor Bridge historically provided an important transport layer between the Trezor device and host apps, but Trezor's product strategy has evolved toward Suite and modern web flows. Use the official pages for downloads, verify signatures, prefer the Suite when possible, and follow Trezor’s deprecation guidance for outdated Bridge installations. Below is a simple final checklist.

H3 — Quick final checklist

Official links (again):
trezor.io/start trezor.io/bridge