Official Trezor Bridge®

Connect your Trezor® to web browsers securely

This presentation-style guide explains what Trezor Bridge is, how to install it, how to connect your hardware wallet to web-based interfaces safely, and key troubleshooting & security tips. Important: Trezor does not use web logins or ask for your recovery seed — never share that information.

What you'll learn in this presentation:

What Bridge does — a small native app that allows browsers to talk to your Trezor device.
Install & authorize — secure download, permissions, and first connection steps.
Troubleshooting — common issues and fixes.
Security & best practices — keep your keys safe.

Why Bridge?

Modern browsers restrict direct native access for security reasons. Bridge acts as a minimal, trusted bridge between the browser and your hardware device, enabling web wallets and UIs to communicate with your Trezor without exposing private keys.

Note: If using Trezor Suite (desktop), Bridge may not be required — Suite handles connections directly.

Download & Install Trezor Bridge

Always download Bridge from the official manufacturer website or verified release pages. Do not install software from unsolicited email links. Verifying checksums or signatures is best-practice when available.

Step-by-step:

1. Visit official site — go to the manufacturer's official Bridge page and choose the installer for your OS (Windows, macOS, Linux).
2. Download — save the installer to your device.
3. Run installer — follow on-screen prompts. Administrator rights may be required.
4. Allow communication — Bridge will run as a background native helper to accept browser connections.

Example CLI / terminal notes (advanced users):

# macOS (homebrew example)
brew install --cask trezor-bridge

# Linux (deb example)
sudo dpkg -i trezor-bridge_XXXX_amd64.deb
sudo apt-get -f install

Bridge runs locally and only accepts requests from the local machine. It does not transmit your keys over the network.

Connect your Trezor to the browser

Once Bridge is installed, a browser-based wallet or dApp can request access. You will always be prompted to approve a connection and all transaction details on the device itself.

Typical connection flow

Open the browser-based wallet or dApp and choose "Connect hardware wallet".
The website requests a connection; Bridge relays the request to your Trezor device.
On the device, confirm the session and enter your PIN if prompted.
After approval, the site can show account addresses; signing still requires device confirmation.

Visual cues to trust:

Browser permission prompt — only allow connections to known and trusted dApps.
Device confirmation — approve addresses and transactions on the Trezor screen.
HTTPS & verified domains — only interact on secure sites you expect.

Troubleshooting & common fixes

If Bridge or browser doesn't detect your Trezor, try these steps first. Most issues are connectivity or permission related.

Check USB cable & port — use the original cable when possible and a different USB port.
Restart Bridge — quit the Bridge helper and relaunch (system tray or background service).
Browser permissions — allow USB device access when the browser prompts.
Close conflicting apps — if another program is using the device, close it (e.g., Trezor Suite may hold the device).

Advanced checks

Reinstall Bridge — remove and reinstall using official installer.
OS driver issues — on some systems a driver reinstall or permissions tweak is necessary.
Check logs — Bridge log files can show errors; consult official support docs before sharing logs publicly.

Security & best practices

Security is the primary reason you use a hardware wallet. Bridge only facilitates local communication; your private keys remain on the Trezor device. Here are core safety practices:

Never share your recovery seed — offline storage only; never type or paste into websites.
Verify official downloads — use official site URLs and verify checksums where possible.
Confirm on-device — always compare addresses and amounts on the device screen before approving.

Additional defenses

Use a passphrase — optional extra secret for hidden wallets.
Use metal backups — durable recovery phrase backup to withstand disasters.
Isolate recovery — keep backups in separate, secure physical locations.

Developer & integration notes

If you're a developer integrating hardware support into a web app, Trezor Bridge provides a local transport layer. Keep security and user consent front-and-center.

Integration highlights:

// Example: request enumeration (conceptual)
navigator.usb.requestDevice({ filters: [{ vendorId: 0x1209 }] })
.then(device => { /* open & forward to Bridge */ });

Remember to implement domain whitelisting UX and clear instructions for users to approve device sessions; never attempt to circumvent device confirmations.

FAQ

Do I always need Bridge?

Not always. Some desktop solutions (like Trezor Suite) talk to the device directly. Bridge is primarily for enabling browser-based apps to interface with the device.

Is Bridge safe?

Yes — Bridge runs locally and is designed to only accept requests from local browser sessions. It does not transmit your seed or keys to remote servers. Always validate you installed an official copy.

What about mobile browsers?

Mobile browser support varies. Some mobile wallets or companion apps support hardware connections via OTG or Bluetooth adapters; check official documentation for your model.

Who should I contact for help?

Official support channels and community forums are primary resources. Share logs only via official support flow and never post a recovery phrase publicly.

You're ready

Connect, authorize, and transact — with confidence

Use Bridge to enable safe browser interactions with your Trezor device. Always confirm actions on the device, protect your seed, and prefer official downloads and documentation.

Official Downloads Read official docs

Safety-first: never paste your seed into a website.

Thank you — keep backups safe, verify all domain names, and approve everything on your device.