Why you need Trezor Bridge

When you connect a Trezor device to your computer and open a web wallet interface, the website needs a way to talk to the physical device to sign transactions, verify addresses, or display device information. Browsers intentionally limit direct USB access for security reasons. Trezor Bridge runs locally and exposes a secure API the web page can use to communicate with your device without exposing your private keys to the internet.

In short, Bridge is the trusted middleman: it never accesses your seed phrase or private keys, it only passes encrypted commands between the browser and the Trezor device.

Supported platforms and compatibility

Trezor Bridge is available for major desktop platforms: Windows, macOS, and Linux. It supports modern browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Chromium-based browsers that follow current web standards. Mobile OSes typically use different connection methods (mobile apps or WebUSB-enabled flows), so Bridge is primarily for desktop use.

How to install Trezor Bridge (step-by-step)

1. Go to the official source: Always download Trezor Bridge from the official Trezor website or an official link such as trezor.io/start. Avoid third-party or torrent sources.
2. Choose your OS: Download the installer that matches your operating system (Windows .exe/.msi, macOS .dmg/.pkg, Linux .deb/.AppImage depending on distribution).
3. Run the installer: Follow the on-screen prompts. On macOS you may need to allow the app in Security & Privacy settings; on Windows you might be asked to confirm with UAC.
4. Restart browser if required: After installation, restart your browser to ensure the Bridge service is discoverable by web pages.
5. Connect your Trezor device: Plug in your Trezor using the official cable. Open your browser and visit the official setup page (for example, trezor.io/start) or the wallet interface you use.
6. Grant connection when prompted: The website will ask to connect to your device via Bridge — confirm the prompt and follow on-screen instructions to proceed safely.

Troubleshooting common Bridge issues

Even with a simple tool like Bridge, problems can happen. Below are common errors and quick fixes.

• Device not found: Confirm the USB cable is data-capable (some cables charge-only). Try another USB port and avoid USB hubs when possible.
• Browser still can’t connect: Restart your browser and check that Bridge is running in the system tray or background processes. Reinstall Bridge if necessary.
• Permission prompts won’t appear: Make sure your browser is up-to-date. Some browser extensions can interfere — try disabling privacy/blocking extensions temporarily.
• Old Bridge version: If you haven’t updated Bridge for a long time, download the latest release from the official site — updates fix compatibility and security issues.
• Security warnings: If your OS shows warnings at install time, verify the installer’s checksum from the official site and only proceed if the source is confirmed.

Best practices and security tips

Security is the core reason people use hardware wallets. A few best practices when using Trezor Bridge:

• Only download Bridge from the official Trezor website.
• Keep both Bridge and your web wallet interfaces updated.
• Never enter your recovery seed into any computer or website — the Trezor device itself is the only safe place for seed handling.
• Verify firmware updates on the device display before confirming.
• Use a secure, trusted computer and avoid public/shared machines for managing large funds.

When to reinstall or update

If you experience persistent connectivity issues, unexpected prompts, or incompatible behavior after a browser update, reinstalling Bridge often resolves the problem. Regularly check the official Trezor site for updates or release notes that highlight bug fixes and new features.

Final thoughts

Trezor Bridge is intentionally simple: it does one job well — securely connecting your Trezor hardware wallet to web interfaces. By installing Bridge from the official source, keeping it updated, and following the security practices above, you’ll maintain a reliable and safe way to manage your crypto assets through your hardware wallet.