Trezor Bridge is the small-but-critical piece of software that helps your Trezor hardware wallet talk with desktop browsers and apps. This guide walks you step-by-step through installation, debugging, security considerations, and best practices — with clear examples and troubleshooting tips.
At its core, Trezor Bridge is a small background service / client that enables web apps (like Trezor Suite and browser-based wallets) to communicate with your Trezor hardware wallet over USB or WebUSB. Historically, browsers tightened native USB APIs for security. Bridge acts as a trusted bridge (pun intended) between the browser and the device.
Because direct USB access from all browsers is inconsistent. Bridge standardizes communication, offers auto-updates on desktop, and provides a stable interface for apps to access your Trezor.
Most desktop users who use Trezor Suite or browser-based wallet integrations will need Bridge. Mobile users generally use apps or native WebUSB support and may not need Bridge.
Trezor Bridge is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. There are separate installers: a standard installer for Windows, a DMG for macOS, and a .deb/.rpm or an AppImage for Linux.
sudo dpkg -i trezor-bridge_2.0.38_amd64.deb
# or
chmod +x trezor-bridge-2.0.38.AppImage && ./trezor-bridge-2.0.38.AppImage
Trezor Bridge normally checks for updates. If you suspect an old version, download the latest from the official page. For advanced users, the GitHub releases page lists tags and version history.
Bridge runs as a local service that listens on a loopback port and exposes a secure API for clients. When a browser app needs to talk to the Trezor, it makes requests to the Bridge service, which relays messages to the device over USB. This architecture isolates low-level USB handling from the browser.
Bridge itself does not hold or know your wallet’s seed or PIN. It simply passes APDU-like commands (cryptographic operations) between the host and device. The sensitive operations (key derivation, signing) always happen on the hardware device itself.
Grant Bridge only the minimal permissions requested during installation. On macOS, if the system asks to load a kernel extension or allow an extension in Security & Privacy, confirm only if you downloaded Bridge from the official site.
Yes — when you download from official sources. Bridge acts as a conduit; your private keys never leave the Trezor device. However, safety depends on verifying the installer and ensuring your desktop is not compromised.
If an attacker controls your computer, they can request actions via Bridge, but they cannot sign transactions without someone physically approving them on the Trezor device. That human confirmation step is your primary protection.
Possible fixes:
Try these steps:
# macOS (example)
log show --style syslog --predicate 'process == "trezord"' --last 1h
# Linux (systemd)
journalctl -u trezord -f
Reach out to official support: support.trezor.io. Provide Bridge version, OS details, and logs. Keep screenshots minimal and never share your recovery seed.
No. Bridge only forwards messages. Seeds and private keys are stored and used inside the Trezor device's secure environment.
Yes — install Bridge on each machine you want to use with your Trezor. Always verify the installer on each machine.
Yes — for cold storage workflows, you can sign transactions offline using unsigned PSBT files and a separate computer entirely disconnected from the internet. Bridge is for convenience when using an online desktop environment.
If you're building an integration with Trezor and Bridge, consult the developer docs and the GitHub repository to follow recommended API usage patterns and to keep compatibility with future Bridge releases.
# Check Bridge version on macOS / Linux (example)
trezorctl version
# On Windows, use Task Manager to check trezor-bridge process
Before connecting your Trezor to a new machine: