Connect Your Trezor Wallet Securely

Trezor Bridge is a small native application that runs on your computer to facilitate secure communications between your Trezor hardware wallet and wallet software. It was created to address the limitations browsers impose on device access while preserving strong security guarantees. Rather than relying on browser extensions or insecure plugins, Bridge provides a well-scoped local channel that wallet interfaces can use to enumerate devices, request public addresses, and send unsigned transactions for signing on the device.

Importantly, Bridge itself never has access to any secrets — private keys and recovery seeds remain inside the Trezor hardware at all times. Bridge only forwards the necessary, non-sensitive data and ensures that the device performs the cryptographic operations within its secure environment. Because user confirmation is required on the device for critical actions, attackers who gain remote access to a computer cannot silently approve signatures.

This design means you can comfortably use modern web wallets and desktop clients while still maintaining the strong protections offered by a hardware wallet. Bridge is actively maintained to adapt to new browser APIs, operating system changes, and evolving security best practices, providing a consistent user experience across platforms.

Installing Bridge is straightforward. Below are step-by-step instructions and tips for common platforms. These steps intentionally avoid technical jargon so anyone can follow them.

Windows

1. Download the Bridge installer for Windows and run the executable.
2. If Windows warns about unknown publishers, confirm that you obtained the installer from a trusted source and proceed with the installation.
3. After installation the Bridge service will start automatically. If it does not, search your Start menu for the Bridge application and launch it.
4. Open your preferred wallet interface and connect your Trezor. Allow the connection from the page when prompted.

macOS

1. Open the downloaded .dmg file and drag the Bridge app into the Applications folder.
2. On first launch you may be asked to allow the app in Security & Privacy settings — approve it so Bridge can access the USB device layer.
3. Once allowed, the Bridge background service will run when a Trezor is connected and web or desktop wallets request access.

Linux

1. Choose the appropriate package for your distribution (for example, .deb for Debian/Ubuntu or .rpm for Fedora) or use the provided tarball.
2. Install the package with your system package manager, and ensure the Bridge service is enabled and running.
3. Some distributions require that you add a udev rule to allow non-root access to USB devices — follow the included instructions if prompted.

After installing Bridge on any platform, restart your browser if you are using a web wallet. Confirm the device is detected by the wallet interface and that the background Bridge process is running. Bridge is intentionally low-friction: once installed it should work transparently while you use supported wallets.

The security model for Bridge centers on minimizing trust and attack surface. Key elements include:

• On-device confirmations: All operations that move funds or reveal sensitive info must be approved physically on the Trezor device.
• No secret storage: Bridge does not store or forward private keys or recovery seeds — it only relays signed or unsigned messages as needed.
• Local-only service: Bridge communicates over a local channel; it does not send your private information across the internet.
• Signed firmware checks: The device verifies firmware authenticity and will warn if anything unexpected is detected.

These protections mean that even if malware compromises your computer, it cannot extract secret material from the Trezor device itself — it can at best request operations that still require your physical approval. That said, maintaining a clean system and following operational best practices remains essential for the highest level of safety.

Although Bridge is designed to be robust, occasionally users encounter connectivity problems. Here are practical steps to resolve the most common issues:

Device not detected

• Try a different USB cable and a direct USB port instead of a hub.
• Restart the Bridge service or the application that is attempting to connect.
• On some systems you may need to unlock the device (enter PIN) before it is exposed to the host.

Browser permission or origin problems

• Clear site permissions for the wallet origin and retry the connection flow.
• Open the wallet in a private window to rule out extension interference.

Updates and compatibility

If Bridge or your wallet behaves oddly after updates, restart the browser and the Bridge service. If problems persist, reinstall the latest Bridge package and confirm you are using a supported wallet version.

There are several reasons Bridge is the recommended integration method for hardware wallets:

• Cross-browser compatibility: Bridge abstracts differences between browsers and platforms so wallets can work reliably everywhere.
• Lower attack surface: Unlike browser extensions that run arbitrary code in the page context, Bridge offers a focused, local-only transport channel.
• Consistent UX: Wallets can present the same connection flow regardless of underlying browser APIs, reducing user confusion.

To get the most security from Bridge and your Trezor device, follow these operational tips:

• Install Bridge from trusted sources and keep it up to date.
• Use a dedicated or well-maintained computer for high-value transactions when possible.
• Always verify the full address and amount displayed on your device before approving a transaction.
• Keep a secure, offline backup of your recovery seed; never enter the seed into your computer.
• Report unexpected device behavior through official support channels and avoid experimenting with unknown tools that request direct seed input.

Q: Does Bridge send my private keys anywhere?
A: No. Bridge only relays non-sensitive data and commands between the wallet interface and the device. Private keys are created and used within the hardware device and are never exported.

Q: Can I use Bridge on multiple computers?
A: Yes. Bridge can be installed on any machine you control. The security of your wallet remains tied to the physical Trezor device and your recovery seed.

Q: What if my device prompts unexpectedly?
A: If you see prompts on the device that you did not initiate, disconnect the device and investigate. Unexpected prompts may indicate an untrusted page or a background process requesting access; never approve unknown requests.