Why Trezor Bridge Matters
In a landscape where private keys are the single most valuable digital asset you can possess, connecting a hardware wallet to your software must be done with surgical precision. Trezor Bridge was engineered to remove fragile, error-prone browser interactions and replace them with a secure, platform-aware agent that handles communication between your desktop and your Trezor device.
Trust without friction
The Bridge is designed for two things: airtight security and effortless user experience. It runs locally, speaks directly with your device over protected channels, and exposes a minimal, audited API to the applications you trust. That means your private keys never leave the device, commands are explicit, and every operation is verifiable.
How It Works — Plain Language
Trezor Bridge runs as a small local background service that mediates messages between web or desktop applications and your Trezor hardware device (Trezor One, Trezor Model T, etc.). When you connect your device, the Bridge performs device enumeration and negotiates a secure session. Applications send clear, typed requests and the Bridge forwards them to the Trezor — the device then displays transaction details on its secure screen for you to confirm.
Key properties
- Local only: All communications happen on your machine; nothing is proxied through external servers.
- Explicit signing: Every action that uses your private key requires an on-device confirmation.
- Minimal privileges: The Bridge requests the least permissions necessary to operate and limits cutting-edge operations behind explicit user consent.
Security & Auditing
Security is not a single feature — it's a process. Bridge is developed with threat modeling, fuzzing, and third-party audits. While no software can claim absolute invulnerability, the Bridge’s architecture reduces exploitable attack surfaces and makes targeted attacks significantly harder to execute.
We recommend pairing the Bridge with a hardware wallet firmware that you update regularly, enabling secure boot and validating releases via cryptographic signatures. Together, these practices create a resilient stack that defends your private keys from remote compromise.
Installation & Quick Start
Installing is straightforward. Choose the right package for your operating system and follow the installer prompts. After installation the Bridge typically launches automatically and will present a small tray icon / status indicator. Plug in your Trezor device and follow the on-screen prompts in your wallet application.
// Example (conceptual)
1. Download the installer for your OS.
2. Run the installer (Administrator privileges may be required).
3. Start your wallet application; Bridge will be detected automatically.
4. Confirm operations on the Trezor device screen.
If you prefer the command line on Linux, packages are available and instructions are included in the download bundle.
Troubleshooting
- Bridge not detected: Restart the Bridge service and reconnect the device. Ensure no other app has exclusive access to USB.
- Permission errors: On macOS and Linux, confirm USB permissions and that your user is allowed to access the device node.
- Updates: Always apply signed updates. If the update fails, reinstall from the official package.
- Privacy concerns: The Bridge only runs locally and does not send private data off your machine. Verify checksums on downloads for extra assurance.
FAQ
Do private keys ever leave my Trezor device?
No. Private keys are generated and stay on the device; Bridge only relays commands and signed data. Signing requests always require physical confirmation on the device.
Is Bridge open source?
The project provides source code for inspection, allowing independent audits and community contributions. Review the repository for the latest release artifacts and verification instructions.
Can I use Bridge on multiple machines?
Yes. Install the Bridge on each machine you plan to use with your hardware wallet. Each installation runs independently and only communicates locally.