Trezor® Bridge® | Connect Your Web3 World Securely™

What is Trezor Bridge?

Trezor Bridge is a lightweight, open-source daemon that runs in the background of your computer. It is not a user-facing application with a graphical interface like Trezor Suite. Instead, its sole purpose is to serve as the secure communication layer between your Trezor hardware wallet and the web. Without Trezor Bridge, web browsers would not be able to "see" and communicate with your Trezor device. It’s the essential piece of software that facilitates the secure data exchange, ensuring that your private keys and sensitive cryptographic operations remain isolated and protected offline on the Trezor hardware.

Whenever you visit a website or a decentralized application (dApp) that requires a connection to your Trezor, such as a web-based cryptocurrency wallet or a DeFi platform, the browser communicates with Trezor Bridge. The Bridge then acts as an intermediary, forwarding the request to your connected Trezor device. The most critical part of this process is that the Bridge handles the communication without ever seeing your private keys. The Trezor device performs all the cryptographic heavy lifting—like signing a transaction—internally and securely, and then sends only the signed, non-sensitive data back to the browser via the Bridge. This model ensures that no matter how compromised your computer might be, your private keys are always safe within the secure enclave of your Trezor.

The Secure Protocol: How Trezor Bridge Protects You

The security of Trezor Bridge is built on a simple yet robust principle: a clear separation of concerns. Your computer handles the online world, and your Trezor handles the offline, cryptographic world. Trezor Bridge is the gatekeeper between them.

1. Secure Communication Channel

Trezor Bridge creates a secure, encrypted communication channel between your browser and the Trezor device. It is a signed application, which means your operating system can verify that it is an official Trezor product and has not been tampered with. This prevents man-in-the-middle attacks at the software level.

2. Private Keys Never Leave the Device

When you initiate a transaction on a dApp, Trezor Bridge forwards the raw transaction data to your Trezor device. The device itself holds your private keys and performs the signing operation. This is a crucial security feature. Your private keys never touch your computer's memory, where they could be exposed to malware.

3. The Physical Confirmation

Before signing, your Trezor device will display the transaction details on its screen. You must physically verify the recipient address and the amount. This step is a final, critical security check that prevents phishing websites from tricking you into signing a malicious transaction without your knowledge.

Getting Started: Simple & Fast Installation

Trezor Bridge is designed to be a "set it and forget it" application. The installation process is quick and requires minimal user interaction.

Step 1: Download from the Official Source

Always download Trezor Bridge exclusively from the official Trezor website. Phishing sites may try to offer a malicious version of the software disguised as the real thing. To avoid this, bookmark the official Trezor download page. You do not need to log in or provide any personal information to download the Bridge. Simply select your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux) and click the download link.

Official Download URL: trezor.io/start

Step 2: Install Trezor Bridge

Once the download is complete, locate the installer file in your downloads folder.

Windows: Double-click the `.exe` file. Follow the on-screen prompts to install the application.
macOS: Open the `.dmg` file and drag the Trezor Bridge icon into your Applications folder.
Linux: The download will provide a `.deb` or `.rpm` package, which can be installed via your package manager or command line.

The installation process is very quick. Trezor Bridge will automatically start and run in the background. You will not see a new application icon on your desktop or a window pop up, as it is a service designed to run invisibly.

Step 3: Verify the Connection

After installation, Trezor Bridge will be running in the background. To verify it’s working correctly, connect your Trezor device to your computer via USB and open a compatible web wallet or dApp. The website should automatically detect your Trezor device, allowing you to proceed with your transaction or asset management. If a web wallet or dApp fails to detect your device, you can usually find a troubleshooting guide on their website or on the official Trezor support pages.

Trezor Bridge vs. Trezor Suite: What's the Difference?

Trezor Bridge

Purpose: A lightweight background service for secure communication. It's the technical middleware that enables your Trezor to interact with browsers.
User Interface: None. It runs silently in the background and is not meant for direct user interaction.
Usage: Essential for using your Trezor with third-party, web-based wallets like MyEtherWallet, MyCrypto, or other dApps.
Security Model: Facilitates the security by being a trusted, signed application that only allows communication between the browser and the hardware device. It does not perform any cryptographic operations itself.

Trezor Suite

Purpose: A comprehensive, all-in-one desktop application for managing your assets. It provides a full-featured user interface.
User Interface: A complete graphical user interface (GUI) with dashboards, transaction history, exchange features, and more.
Usage: The primary software for managing your Trezor wallet. It has all the functionalities of Trezor Bridge built-in, so you do not need to install the Bridge separately if you are only using Trezor Suite.
Security Model: A secure, isolated environment that eliminates the need for browser interaction, providing the highest level of security against online threats like phishing.

In short, Trezor Bridge is the tool for those who prefer to use their Trezor with web wallets and dApps, while Trezor Suite is the all-encompassing desktop solution. You only need to install one or the other, depending on your preferred way of interacting with your hardware wallet.

Security Best Practices with Trezor Bridge

1. Always Check the URL

Before connecting your Trezor to any web wallet or dApp, meticulously check the URL in your browser. Ensure it is the official, correct website to avoid phishing attacks.

2. Verify On-Device

The most important rule: always verify the transaction details (address, amount) on your Trezor device's screen before you confirm it. This is your final defense against a compromised computer or malicious websites.

3. Keep Your Firmware Up-to-Date

Make sure your Trezor device's firmware is always updated to the latest version. This ensures you have the most recent security patches and features.

4. Install the Bridge from a Trusted Source

As mentioned, only download and install the Bridge from the official Trezor website. This guarantees you are using an authentic, signed application.

5. Understand What You're Signing

When interacting with dApps, you might be asked to sign messages or approve smart contract interactions. Always read the details of the request on your Trezor screen and ensure you understand what you are authorizing before pressing the confirm button.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Trezor Bridge a wallet?

No, Trezor Bridge is not a wallet. It is a communication tool that allows your Trezor hardware wallet to connect to other web-based wallets and dApps. It does not store any of your private keys or cryptocurrency.

Do I need Trezor Bridge if I am using Trezor Suite?

No. Trezor Suite is a standalone desktop application that has all the functionality of Trezor Bridge built directly into it. If you only plan to use Trezor Suite, you do not need to install Trezor Bridge separately.

Does Trezor Bridge need to run all the time?

Yes, Trezor Bridge is designed to run in the background as a service. It will start automatically when your computer boots up and will be ready to facilitate communication whenever you connect your Trezor device and open a compatible web application.

Is Trezor Bridge open-source?

Yes, Trezor Bridge is open-source, just like the rest of the Trezor software ecosystem. This allows the community to audit the code for security vulnerabilities, ensuring its integrity and trustworthiness.

Trezor® Bridge®: The Secure Link to Your Web3 World