Trezor Bridge — the secure gateway to your hardware wallet
Trezor Bridge is the lightweight connection layer that enables your computer to talk to your hardware wallet. When you start using your device, Trezor Bridge ensures the communication between your device and Trezor Suite is reliable, secure, and straightforward.
What is Trezor Bridge?
Trezor Bridge is a small, local service that runs on your computer and acts as a secure gateway between the Trezor hardware wallet and desktop applications such as Trezor Suite. It allows browsers and native apps to detect your device, send commands, and receive signed transactions — all while keeping your private keys on the device and never exposing them to the host system.
When you start using your device, installing Trezor Bridge is often required so the operating system can communicate with the hardware wallet. The Bridge enables features like firmware updates, account management, and transaction signing without compromising hardware-level security.
Why Trust Trezor Bridge?
Trust starts with design: Trezor Bridge is designed to be minimal, open where possible, and to delegate all sensitive cryptographic operations to the hardware device itself. The Bridge merely transports requests and responses between your machine and the Trezor device. Private keys remain securely inside the hardware wallet at all times.
Key benefits when you use Trezor Bridge to start using your device:
- Local-only communication: Bridge runs locally on your computer; it does not send sensitive data to remote servers.
- Firmware-aware: Bridge helps facilitate safe firmware updates delivered through verified Trezor Suite prompts.
- Cross-platform support: Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux to make it easy to start using your device on multiple systems.
How to install & start using Trezor Bridge
To start using your device with Trezor Bridge, follow these steps:
- Download Bridge from the official source and verify the download. Always use the official download link when you start using your device.
- Run the installer for your operating system and allow the local service to install.
- Open Trezor Suite or connect through the supported browser; the app will detect Bridge and the attached Trezor device.
- Follow on-screen instructions to set up your device: firmware install, PIN creation, and recovery seed backup.
Once installed, Bridge runs in the background and reconnects automatically whenever the device is plugged in. This makes it seamless to start using your device without repeated setup friction.
Security considerations
Security is paramount. When you start using your device with Trezor Bridge, remember these practical tips:
- Download only from official sources: Always use the official website or trusted distribution channels to download Trezor Bridge and Trezor Suite.
- Keep firmware up to date: Firmware updates are verified and signed. Trezor Bridge simply enables the package transport — the device applies updates.
- Never share your seed: Trezor Bridge and Trezor Suite will never ask for your recovery seed. Write your seed down on paper and store it offline.
- Confirm on-device: All transaction signatures and critical confirmations must be approved on your hardware wallet's screen before they are executed.
Troubleshooting and tips
If Bridge does not detect your device when you start using your device, try the following:
- Reconnect the USB cable and try a different port — some ports provide insufficient power.
- Restart the Bridge service or your computer to resolve transient driver issues.
- Check for official Bridge updates and reinstall if necessary.
- Consult the support documentation to ensure your operating system has required permissions.
Trezor Bridge is a core piece of the setup process when you start using your device with desktop apps. It is intentionally lightweight, secure, and focused on keeping sensitive operations on the hardware wallet itself. By following the official install and security guidance, you can confidently use Bridge as the secure gateway between your computer and your Trezor device.