What is Trezor Bridge?
Trezor Bridge is a lightweight application designed to run in the background of your computer. Its primary function is to facilitate communication between your Trezor hardware wallet and supported web browsers. Without this bridge, modern web browsers—which are sandboxed for security—cannot directly communicate with USB devices like your hardware wallet.
Historically, this functionality was handled by browser plugins (like the NPAPI architecture), but as browsers evolved to become more secure, these plugins were deprecated. Trezor Bridge was developed as a robust, standalone solution that operates independently of browser versioning constraints, providing a stable and secure channel for your private keys to sign transactions without ever leaving the device.
Secure Protocol
Uses encrypted communication channels to ensure no sensitive data is intercepted.
Cross-Browser
Works seamlessly with Chrome, Firefox, Brave, and other major web browsers.
Why is Trezor Bridge Necessary?
Your Trezor device is a cold storage wallet, meaning it keeps your private keys offline. However, to interact with the blockchain—to send funds, check balances, or sign contracts—you need an interface connected to the internet. This is where Trezor Suite (web version) or third-party wallets (like MetaMask) come in.
The Bridge acts as the translator. When you initiate a transaction on your computer:
- The web interface sends a request to the Bridge (running on localhost:21325).
- The Bridge forwards this request to your Trezor device via USB.
- You confirm the transaction physically on your Trezor device.
- The device signs the transaction internally and sends only the signature back through the Bridge.
- The Bridge delivers the signature to the browser to broadcast to the network.
This architecture ensures that your private keys are never exposed to the computer's memory or the internet, maintaining the "air-gapped" security model of hardware wallets while allowing for convenient usage.
How to Download and Install
Setting up Trezor Bridge is a one-time process. Once installed, it runs automatically in the background whenever you connect your device.
Download the Installer
Visit the official Trezor Wallet website. If the Bridge is missing, you will typically be prompted to download it. Ensure you are downloading from the official trezor.io domain to avoid phishing attempts.
Select Your Operating System
Trezor Bridge is compatible with:
- Windows: Windows 10 and later.
- macOS: macOS 10.14 and later.
- Linux: Most major distributions (Debian/Ubuntu/Fedora) via RPM or DEB packages.
Run the Installation
Open the downloaded file (trezor-bridge-2.0.27.exe, .pkg, or .deb). Follow the on-screen prompts. You may need administrator privileges to install the necessary USB drivers.
Clear Browser Cache (Optional)
After installation, it is recommended to restart your browser or clear your cache to ensure the browser detects the new local server immediately.
Security Features & Architecture
Security is paramount when dealing with cryptocurrency. Trezor Bridge is built with a "security-first" mindset.
Localhost Communication
The Bridge listens only on the local loopback interface (127.0.0.1). It does not expose any ports to the external internet, meaning hackers cannot connect to your Bridge remotely. It strictly facilitates communication between the local USB port and the local browser instance.
Origin Verification
Trezor Bridge implements strict Cross-Origin Resource Sharing (CORS) policies. It is configured to only accept commands from trusted domains (like wallet.trezor.io) or require explicit user confirmation for third-party integrations. This prevents malicious websites from silently polling your device.
Code Signing
All official binaries are digitally signed by SatoshiLabs. When installing on Windows or macOS, you should verify the publisher is listed as "SatoshiLabs" to ensure the software hasn't been tampered with.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with robust software, issues can arise. Here are the most common problems users face with Trezor Bridge and how to solve them.
Device Not Detected
Try a different USB cable and port. Ensure you are not using a USB hub. Restart the Trezor Bridge process via Task Manager (look for trezord).
Bridge is Not Running
Check your system's status bar or activity monitor. If the process trezord is not running, launch it manually from your applications folder.
Driver Issues (Windows)
On Windows, outdated USB drivers can cause connection failures. Go to Device Manager, find the Trezor device, and select "Update Driver".
Frequently Asked Questions
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