Trezor Bridge

Overview

**Trezor Bridge** is a lightweight background service developed by SatoshiLabs. Its role is to facilitate secure communication between your Trezor hardware wallet (e.g. Model One, Model T) and web interfaces or applications (like Trezor Suite or compatible web wallets). :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

In earlier times, browser extensions or USB‑HID direct modes were used, but modern browsers and systems sometimes restrict such communication. Bridge acts as a middle layer to translate and forward messages securely. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

However, note that **the standalone Bridge is being deprecated** by Trezor. The Trezor team recommends removing older standalone installations in favor of integrated versions with Trezor Suite. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Why Do You Need Trezor Bridge?

There are several reasons Bridge is (or was) important in the Trezor ecosystem:

• Browser Compatibility: Some browsers or older OSes don’t support direct USB / WebUSB access for hardware wallets. Bridge enables compatibility across more setups. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
• Reliable Device Detection: Bridge helps web apps reliably detect and maintain communication with your Trezor device. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
• Security & Isolation: Bridge runs locally on your machine, does not relay data to remote servers, and only acts as a conduit for encrypted traffic. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
• Legacy Support: For older setups where direct USB access is blocked or incompatible, Bridge ensures continuity. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

⚠️ Because Bridge is being deprecated, you should uninstall standalone installations when updating to newer Trezor Suite that embeds or replaces Bridge logic. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}

How It Works

Here’s a simplified view of the internal workflow of Trezor Bridge:

1. When you plug in your Trezor device, the operating system recognizes it via USB.
2. The Bridge service (often as a local process like `trezord`) monitors USB connections and communicates with the hardware. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
3. When a web app or Trezor Suite web interface needs to communicate (e.g. get balance, initiate transaction), it sends messages to Bridge over localhost. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
4. Bridge translates those requests into USB commands, sends them to the device, retrieves responses, then returns them to the application. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
5. The hardware wallet still requires you to confirm sensitive operations (e.g. signing a transaction) directly on the device. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}

Because all critical operations (signing, revealing public keys, etc.) still occur on the device itself, **private keys never move out of the Trezor**. Bridge just acts as a secure messenger. :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}

Install & Usage

To install or use Trezor Bridge, follow these steps (for legacy Standalone or when required by web mode): :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}

1. Visit the official Trezor site (via `trezor.io/start` or Bridge download section). :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}
2. Download the Bridge installer for your OS (Windows `.exe`, macOS `.pkg`, Linux packages). :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}
3. Run the installer and follow prompts. It will install a background process (e.g. `trezord`). :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}
4. Restart your browser if it’s open (some processes need the browser to detect the service). :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}
5. Open Trezor Suite (web) or supported web app; it should detect the Bridge and allow you to connect your Trezor device. :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}
6. Approve connection on your Trezor device. Then use the application as usual. :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}

For uninstalling, Trezor provides instructions per OS. Because Bridge is being deprecated, removing old standalone installations is often advised to prevent conflicts. :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}

Reminder: Always download Bridge (or any Trezor software) from official sources and verify signatures where applicable. Never trust random third‑party links.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is Trezor Bridge still required?
A: In many modern setups, no. The Trezor Suite desktop app communicates directly with your device and does not need Bridge. And browsers with full WebUSB support may not require it. The standalone Bridge is being deprecated. :contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21}

Q: Is Trezor Bridge safe?
A: Yes, when you download it from official channels. It is open-source, designed to run locally, and does not handle private keys or seed phrases. :contentReference[oaicite:22]{index=22}

Q: What happens if I don’t install Bridge?
A: Without Bridge and on a browser that doesn’t support WebUSB, web interfaces might not detect your Trezor device. You may see errors like “No device found” or “Bridge not running.” :contentReference[oaicite:23]{index=23}

Q: Why does Suite sometimes ask me to install Bridge?
A: In older or legacy modes, or if a browser is lacking the direct USB interface, the system may require Bridge. Also, some users report that after OS restart, Bridge doesn’t auto‑start, causing Suite to ask for it again. :contentReference[oaicite:24]{index=24}

Q: I installed Bridge but it still doesn’t detect device. What now?
A: Try these steps:

• Restart your computer and browser
• Use a different USB cable or port
• Check that the Bridge (trezord process) is running
• Remove older or conflicting installations
• Use a browser that supports WebUSB (e.g. Chrome, Edge)

Q: How do I remove a legacy Bridge?
A: On Windows, use the uninstaller; on macOS use the `.pkg` uninstaller; on Linux use your package manager (e.g. `sudo apt remove trezor-bridge`). :contentReference[oaicite:26]{index=26}