What is Trezor Bridge?
Trezor Bridge is a essential background service that enables communication between your Trezor hardware wallet and web browser. Unlike browser extensions, Trezor Bridge runs as a standalone application on your computer, providing a more secure and reliable connection method.
When you connect your Trezor device to your computer, Trezor Bridge facilitates the communication between the physical device and web-based interfaces like Trezor Suite or other supported applications. This allows you to confirm transactions securely while keeping your private keys isolated within your hardware wallet.
Installation Process
Installing Trezor Bridge is a straightforward process. Visit the official Trezor website and navigate to the Bridge download page. The website will automatically detect your operating system and provide the appropriate version for Windows, macOS, or Linux.
After downloading the installer, run the executable file and follow the on-screen instructions. Trezor Bridge will install as a background service that automatically starts when you turn on your computer. Once installed, you won't need to interact with it directly—it will work silently in the background whenever you connect your Trezor device.
How Trezor Bridge Works
Trezor Bridge creates a local server on your computer that acts as a communication layer between your Trezor device and web browsers. When you visit a Trezor-compatible website, the site communicates with this local server instead of trying to access your device directly.
This architecture provides several security benefits. Since the web interface doesn't directly interact with your hardware wallet, there's reduced risk of browser-based attacks compromising your device. Trezor Bridge also handles the USB communication, which can be challenging for web browsers to manage directly, especially with security restrictions in modern browsers.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If you're experiencing connection issues with your Trezor device, Trezor Bridge might need to be restarted or reinstalled. First, ensure that the Bridge is running on your system—on Windows, check the system tray; on macOS, look in the menu bar; on Linux, check that the service is active.
If problems persist, try reinstalling Trezor Bridge. Download the latest version from the official Trezor website, uninstall the current version, then install the newly downloaded package. Restart your computer after installation to ensure the Bridge service starts correctly. Most connection issues can be resolved by keeping Trezor Bridge updated to the latest version.