What is Trezor Bridge?
Trezor Bridge is a small connectivity layer designed to securely connect hardware wallets to your computer and browser environment. It acts as a translator between the USB device and apps that need to communicate with it, enabling encrypted signing, secure account management, and a consistent developer interface across platforms.
Why it matters
Modern hardware wallets intentionally limit direct host access to reduce attack surface and prevent unauthorized data extraction. A bridge component allows applications to request precisely scoped actions — such as signing a transaction or revealing a public key — while keeping private keys isolated on the device. This separation ensures that sensitive operations remain protected by the wallet's secure element and user confirmation flow.
Key features
How it works (high level)
When installed, the bridge runs a small local server that listens for connections from applications running on the same machine. Browser or desktop apps send requests to the bridge for operations such as listing accounts, requesting a signature, or obtaining an address. The bridge validates the origin of the request, forwards the request to the connected hardware wallet, and relays the hardware wallet's response back to the application. Any operation requiring user confirmation triggers a prompt on the device itself — ensuring the final authorization step happens on a trusted, offline element.
Security considerations
Security is paramount. Good design practices for a bridge include validating calling origins, restricting network exposure (only accept local requests), and minimizing the set of privileged operations. Always install the bridge from official sources and keep it updated. If a request looks suspicious (unexpected account or transaction), verify the details on the hardware device display before confirming.
Installation & common usage
Installing the bridge is intentionally simple: download the installer for your operating system, follow the on-screen steps, and the service will start automatically. Most browser-based wallets detect the bridge automatically once it is running. In many cases you’ll only need to permit a connection once per origin; subsequent operations reuse the validated channel until the bridge or browser session changes.
Developer notes
For developers integrating hardware wallets, the bridge provides a programmatic way to enumerate devices, fetch public keys, and request signatures. Avoid asking the user for unnecessary permissions; keep the UI clear about why a hardware interaction is required and what the device will display. Always degrade gracefully when the bridge is not available: provide clear instructions and a helpful error message rather than blocking the user.
Common troubleshooting
If your device is not detected: (1) ensure the bridge is running, (2) check that the wallet is physically connected and unlocked, and (3) confirm that the browser or app has permission to access the bridge. If updates or reinstall fixes are required, follow official guidance to remove older versions cleanly before installing the latest package.
Conclusion
A bridge service like Trezor Bridge is the glue that makes secure, trusted hardware wallets usable with modern web and desktop applications. By mediating communication, validating origins, and enforcing device confirmations, the bridge preserves security while offering user-friendly workflows for managing keys and signing transactions.