Overview
Trezor Bridge is the official secure communication layer that connects your Trezor hardware wallet to supported browsers and applications. It ensures a trusted handshake between your device and the software you use to manage your digital assets. By eliminating insecure browser plugins, Trezor Bridge provides a lightweight, transparent, and reliable way to access your crypto safely and conveniently. You can download it from the official Bridge page and follow this guide to install and configure it.
Installation Steps
- Go to the Trezor Bridge download page.
- Select your operating system — Windows, macOS, or Linux.
- Run the installer and follow the prompts.
- Restart your browser and reconnect your Trezor device.
After installation, Bridge operates silently in the background, allowing Trezor Suite or other apps to detect your wallet seamlessly. You can verify if it’s running by visiting 127.0.0.1:21325/status.
How It Works
The Trezor Bridge acts as a local service listening on a secure port, handling requests between your wallet and the app. It uses HTTPS and WebSocket protocols to ensure that all messages are encrypted and authenticated. No private keys or seeds ever leave your hardware wallet — Bridge simply transmits verified messages. Because it’s open source, you can audit its implementation on GitHub, where you’ll also find developer notes, code, and update history.
Developer Integration
For developers, Trezor Bridge provides a clean API that interfaces easily with Trezor Connect. This makes it ideal for exchanges, wallet providers, and auditors who want secure hardware support in their apps. Integration involves initializing the manifest, detecting devices, and handling signing events. The example below shows a simple setup for web developers.
import TrezorConnect from 'trezor-connect';
TrezorConnect.init({
manifest:{email:'dev@yourapp.com',appUrl:'https://yourapp.com'}
});
TrezorConnect.getFeatures()
.then(info => console.log(info))
.catch(err => console.error(err));
Bridge runs as a background process on port 21325. You can monitor its logs or status page for debugging and update notifications.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
- Make sure Bridge is installed and running in your background processes.
- Ensure that your browser allows WebUSB or Bridge access.
- Disable old versions or conflicting USB drivers.
- Restart both your browser and the computer.
- Check the Firmware update page for compatibility.
If the connection fails, reinstall the latest version of Bridge or check your system logs. Visit Trezor Support for official troubleshooting guides.
Security Principles
Trezor Bridge was designed with security at its core. It’s digitally signed, sandboxed, and distributed only through trezor.io. Every communication is encrypted and validated with strong cryptography. The source code is publicly verifiable, ensuring complete transparency. Always verify you are downloading from official links and never use modified versions from third-party sites.
Performance & Updates
Bridge updates are lightweight and delivered automatically during firmware or Suite upgrades. Performance improvements focus on faster handshake times and reduced background CPU usage. It’s optimized for minimal latency, ensuring smooth crypto access even across multiple devices or browser sessions.
FAQs
1. What is Trezor Bridge used for?
It connects your hardware wallet with Trezor Suite or compatible apps, enabling secure communication between your device and computer.
2. Is Trezor Bridge required for all users?
Yes. Desktop users need Bridge to use Trezor Suite. On some modern browsers, WebUSB may substitute, but Bridge ensures the widest compatibility.
3. Is Bridge safe?
Absolutely. It’s open source, digitally signed, and developed by the official Trezor team. It only handles approved communication, never private keys.
4. How can I update Bridge?
Visit trezor.io/bridge and download the latest version. Updates may also install automatically via Suite notifications.
5. Can developers modify Bridge?
Developers can review or fork the source at GitHub. For security, avoid distributing modified binaries.