Trezor Bridge — Install & Connect Your Trezor® Wallet™

A friendly, colourful walkthrough for installing the Bridge and securely connecting your hardware wallet.

Overview

Trezor Bridge is a small, local application that enables communication between your Trezor hardware wallet and web applications. It handles device discovery and secure message passing so that browsers can interact with the device while private keys remain safely stored on the hardware. In short: Bridge brings convenience without sacrificing custody.

Before you begin

  • Have your Trezor device and cable ready.
  • Ensure you have administrative privileges on your computer for installation.
  • Write down or secure your recovery seed and never enter it into a computer or browser.

Quick checklist

Device Ready

Trezor powered on and unlocked.

OS Compatibility

Windows, macOS, Linux — choose the right package.

Safe Backup

Recovery seed secured offline.

Installation & Setup

1

Download the correct installer

Choose the installer for your operating system. Use the installer that matches your platform to avoid driver or privilege issues. The installer is compact and installs a small background service that listens for device connections.

2

Run the installer

Run the downloaded package and follow on-screen prompts. On some platforms you may be prompted for admin permissions — this is normal and required to register the background service responsibly. Accepting the prompt will install the Bridge service and allow it to start automatically.

3

Confirm service is running

After installation, the Bridge should be running in the background. You may see a small icon in your system tray or menu bar depending on your OS. The service listens locally for requests from compatible web applications and provides safe device discovery.

4

Connect your Trezor device

Use a data-capable USB cable to connect your Trezor to the computer. Unlock the device using your PIN. The Bridge will detect the device and enable your browser apps to request account info or sign transactions. Always confirm the device screen before approving actions.

5

Authorize in your web app

When a compatible web app attempts to connect, you will be prompted to approve the connection. Carefully inspect the prompt and confirm the device is the one you control. The physical confirmation step on the device adds an important human check against automated or invisible operations.

Common Issues & Fixes

Problems are rare but often simple to resolve. If your device is not detected, try these troubleshooting steps:

  • Reconnect the USB cable or try a different cable/port.
  • Restart the Bridge service and your browser.
  • Check for OS-level permissions or driver requirements.
  • Try another computer to isolate hardware problems.

Security Tips

Adopt a layered security approach: keep firmware updated, protect your recovery seed, use a PIN and optional passphrase, and verify every transaction on the device screen. Never share your seed or passphrase and avoid entering them into web forms — the hardware device is the only place for signing operations.

Advanced usage

For advanced users, the Bridge enables multisig workflows, integration with developer tools, and automated testing in isolated environments. Developers may use simulators during development, but hardware validation is essential before any live deployment. The Bridge’s consistent API allows teams to build reliable integrations while depending on device confirmations for security.

Privacy & updates

The Bridge is designed to be privacy respectful: it does not store private keys, seeds, or transaction contents beyond ephemeral use for the active connection. Updates are signed and distributed through secure channels; apply them when available to benefit from security hardening and compatibility improvements.

Best practices for teams

When used in organizational contexts, create clear policies for firmware updates, who may perform transactions, and how recovery materials are stored. Use role separation and audit logging to ensure transparency and implement multisignature setups for critical assets. The bridge supports enterprise workflows when combined with procedural controls.

Recovery & continuity

Your recovery seed is the ultimate fallback. Keep at least one secure offline copy in a different location from your device. Consider fireproof storage or bank safety deposit boxes for large holdings. If using passphrases, document procedures for continuity while maintaining confidentiality and limited access.

Closing thoughts

Installing Trezor Bridge is a small step that unlocks secure, convenient interactions between your hardware wallet and the web. It is designed to preserve strong custody principles while offering a smooth user experience. Follow the checklist above, verify device prompts, and treat signing events as important decisions — with those habits you’ll combine convenience with confidence.