Trezor Bridge

What is Trezor Bridge?

Trezor Bridge is middleware software developed by SatoshiLabs to act as a “translator” between your Trezor hardware wallet and software environments (browser-based apps or desktop interfaces). It handles USB communication, transmits commands, and routes responses — all locally on your machine. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

It’s especially relevant when browser-native USB APIs (like WebUSB) are not fully supported or available. Bridge provides platform compatibility, consistent behavior, and improved reliability across operating systems and browser versions. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Key Features

How It Works

1. A web app or desktop application sends a JSON-RPC or custom request to Bridge via localhost.
2. Bridge translates that request into a USB-level command (e.g. “get addresses,” “sign transaction”) and sends it to the Trezor device.
3. The Trezor device receives the request, displays details on-screen, and prompts the user to confirm or reject.
4. Once confirmed, the device performs the cryptographic operation (e.g. signing) internally and sends the result back to Bridge.
5. Bridge forwards the response to the requesting app.

Because signing always happens on the Trezor device itself, the Bridge never sees your private keys. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}

Install & Use Bridge

Here is a step‑by‑step guide to installing and using Trezor Bridge: :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}

1. **Download the correct installer** for your operating system — visit the official Trezor site (trezor.io/bridge or downloads) to avoid malicious copies. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
2. **Verify integrity**, e.g. via checksum or signatures when provided.
3. **Run the installer** (Windows `.exe`, macOS `.pkg`, Linux package) and follow prompts.
4. **Restart your browser or app** so it can detect Bridge and acquire necessary access permissions.
5. **Connect your Trezor device** via USB. The app should now detect it. Approve any prompts on-device.

Note: In recent updates, standalone Bridge is being deprecated, as more Bridge logic is integrated into newer versions of Trezor Suite. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}

Security & Best Practices

While Bridge is designed to be minimal and secure, the overall protection depends on your environment and behavior. Here are recommended best practices:

• Only download Bridge from the **official Trezor site** to avoid malicious lookalikes. :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}
• Keep Bridge, your browser, and your Trezor firmware updated. :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}
• Use a strong PIN and consider passphrase support for added security. :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}
• Always verify transaction details **on the device screen**, not just in the browser. :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}
• Don’t expose Bridge over a network — it should only bind to `localhost`. :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}
• Reject any unexpected or malicious signing requests. If something looks off, don’t approve it. :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}

Common Issues & Fixes

Here are some known issues and troubleshooting steps:

• Bridge not running / not detected: Restart Bridge or your computer; verify that `trezord` (or equivalent) process is running. :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}
• Browser can’t connect: Clear browser cache, restart browser, check USB permissions. :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}
• Conflicting installations: Uninstall older standalone Bridge versions before installing Suite-integrated builds. :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}
• macOS permission errors: Allow the Bridge in System Preferences → Security & Privacy, or enable the driver. :contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21}
• On Linux: You may need to update `udev` rules or grant USB access permissions. :contentReference[oaicite:22]{index=22}