Trezõr® Brïdge® | Secure Crypto Management

What is Trezõr® Brïdge®?

Trezõr® Brïdge® is a small helper application that enables secure, local communication between a Trezor hardware device and wallet software running in your browser or on your desktop. When you connect a Trezor to a computer, the browser alone cannot access USB devices directly in a consistent, cross-platform way; Brïdge provides a trusted channel that relays messages between the device and the application while preserving the hardware-based signing model. Brïdge is not a wallet — it never touches your private keys; it simply facilitates safe signing requests and device commands so higher-level wallet apps can offer a smooth user experience.

Why use the bridge?

There are three practical reasons to run Brïdge:

Compatibility: Brïdge makes Trezor devices work reliably across different browsers and operating systems without requiring browser extensions or risky drivers.
Security: It funnels signing requests through a process you control on your machine, reducing the need for web services to directly access hardware interfaces.
Convenience: With Brïdge installed, you can use web-based wallets and management tools that otherwise could not interface cleanly with the device.

Note: Modern Trezor workflows also support native desktop apps (Trezor Suite) that do not require Brïdge. Use Brïdge when a web interface specifically asks for it or when you prefer web-based tools.

Installation & first steps

Installing Brïdge is straightforward. Always download the installer from the official Trezor website (look for an official domain or the guidance in the Trezor documentation). The typical flow is:

Visit the official Trezor start page or the documentation that references Brïdge.
Download the appropriate installer for your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux).
Run the installer and allow any system prompts for permissions. Brïdge runs as a background process and exposes a local HTTP/WebSocket endpoint only on your machine.
Open the web wallet or application that requested Brïdge. The app will detect the running bridge and instruct you to connect your device.

Once installed, Brïdge typically runs automatically at login. You can stop or restart the service from your OS if needed. The application communicates locally — no device data should be sent to external servers by the bridge itself.

How it works — a short technical overview

At a high level: when a wallet app needs to show addresses or sign a transaction, it creates a signing request and sends it over to the Brïdge's local endpoint. Brïdge forwards the request to the Trezor device over USB, the device displays the details for your physical confirmation, and once you approve, the signed payload is returned to the wallet app. This ensures the crucial act of signing is visible to you on the hardware's screen and guarded by the device's PIN/passphrase protections.

Security best practices

Download only from official sources: Get Brïdge installers from the Trezor website or official repositories. Avoid third-party mirrors.
Verify installer integrity: If checksums or signatures are provided, verify them — this adds a layer of protection against tampered installers.
Confirm addresses on-device: Regardless of which app you use, always verify receiving addresses and transaction details on the Trezor screen. Brïdge does not remove this requirement.
Keep software updated: Run the latest Brïdge and device firmware releases. Updates often include security fixes and compatibility improvements.
Isolate sensitive tasks: Perform seed recovery and other highly sensitive operations on a machine you trust and preferably offline. Do not enter your recovery seed into any application — the seed belongs only on the hardware when possible.

Warning: If a website asks for your recovery seed, do not enter it. The bridge is for device communication only — recovery should happen on the device itself using the official flow.

Troubleshooting — common problems & fixes

Bridge not detected

Ensure the Brïdge service is running. On most systems you can restart it from the system tray/menu bar or by running the bridge application manually. Rebooting your computer can also reinitialize USB connections.

Device not recognized

Try a different USB cable or port. Make sure the device screen is on and unlocked. If you previously installed drivers for other hardware wallets, they may interfere — try removing conflicting drivers or testing on another machine.

Browser errors

Some browsers or extensions can block local connections. Temporarily disable interfering extensions, use a recommended browser, or use the native Trezor Suite app that doesn't rely on Brïdge.

Update issues

If an update fails, download the latest installer from the official site and reinstall. Do not use unofficial firmware files. If the Trezor device becomes unresponsive during firmware updates, follow the official recovery steps provided by Trezor.

When not to use the bridge

If you prefer a fully local desktop experience, use the official Trezor Suite application which manages device connections natively and provides a single, supported interface without requiring Brïdge. Additionally, when performing ultra-sensitive operations like seed entry or emergency recovery, consider using a secure, isolated environment where possible rather than an internet-connected browser-based wallet.

FAQ

Does Brïdge ever see my private keys?: No. Brïdge is a relay and does not access or store private keys. Signing always occurs on the hardware device.
Is Brïdge required for all Trezor workflows?: No. Brïdge is required only for some web-based wallets and legacy workflows. Trezor Suite or native integrations on desktop may not require Brïdge.
Can Brïdge be run on multiple machines?: Yes — install it on any machine you use to connect your Trezor. Treat each machine as an independent trust boundary and follow security best practices on all of them.