This presentation explains what Trezor Bridge is, why it exists, how it works, how to install it safely, troubleshooting tips and security considerations. Use the sections below as slides — each "slide" is contained in a <div class=\"slide\"> to make copying into a slide-builder or web page straightforward.
Trezor Bridge is a lightweight local application that enables communication between your Trezor hardware wallet and web-based wallet interfaces (like Trezor Suite, web apps or browser extensions). It acts as a secure bridge, translating instructions from the browser or desktop apps to the Trezor device over USB or WebUSB.
Browsers limit direct USB access for security reasons. Bridge fills the gap while keeping the communication local and encrypted, so sensitive data such as private keys never leave the device.
Trezor Bridge provides stable connectivity across operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux). Instead of relying on browser-specific drivers or deprecated plugins, Bridge runs as a trusted background process that modern web apps can talk to reliably.
The bridge itself does not hold or transmit private keys. It transports signed payloads and commands — the cryptographic operations always occur inside your Trezor device. Minimizing attack surface in host software is a core philosophy.
Trezor Bridge runs locally and exposes a restricted HTTP API on the loopback interface (localhost). Web applications use that local endpoint to send JSON-RPC messages. Bridge translates those into USB or WebUSB calls that reach the Trezor device. Responses are passed back to the web app.
On macOS and Linux, Bridge uses system USB permissions; on Windows, it uses a driver shim to make communication smooth. Browser prompts still appear for user consent when required, and the device requires physical confirmation for all critical operations — preventing remote signing without your approval.
Only download Bridge from official sources. Do not install unverified binaries. Before installing, verify your OS compatibility and close other wallet apps to avoid conflicts.
If in doubt, prefer the official Trezor Suite which bundles or guides you through Bridge installation.
Common causes: outdated Bridge version, blocked USB drivers, or conflicting apps. Try restarting Bridge, reconnecting the device, or reinstalling the latest Bridge binary from the official site.
Clear browser caches, ensure browser updates are installed, and verify the web app is allowed to access localhost endpoints. In some cases, disabling browser extensions that block localhost or cross-origin requests helps.
If reinstalling does not help, collect logs (Bridge has a debug log) and contact official support. Avoid posting sensitive data publicly; share logs only with trusted support channels.
Trezor’s security model places private keys inside the device. Bridge is considered untrusted software in that model — it is a transport layer. This is why device confirmation (button presses, PIN/passphrase entry) is mandatory for sensitive actions.
Local malware could try to interact with Bridge. Because the device requires physical confirmation for signing, malware cannot perform transfers without user approval. Still, keep the host secure and avoid running unknown executables.
Check for Bridge updates regularly, update Trezor firmware when released, and confirm downloads via official channels. Use a dedicated machine for high-value transactions when practical.
Never reveal your recovery seed. Use passphrases for additional account separation and treat the Bridge like an infrastructure component — keep it updated and monitored.
Web developers targeting Trezor integrate against the Bridge local API or use the Trezor Connect library which handles connection negotiation. Always follow the official developer documentation and avoid reinventing protocol parsing.
When building automation or test suites that interact with Trezor, use mocks for signing and avoid using real seeds in CI. Hardware-in-the-loop tests should be performed in controlled environments only.
These 10 official links provide the canonical sources for downloads, documentation and support. Always verify you are on an official trezor.io domain before downloading software.