Bridge the gap between hardware and desktop—without compromise
Trezor Bridge is a focused utility designed to securely expose your Trezor device to locally installed applications such as Trezor Suite, browser integrations, and developer tools. Built with a security-first mindset, the Bridge gives you a stable, permissioned channel so you can manage seeds, approve transactions, and sign messages from a trusted environment.
Local-first security
No cloud relay — the Bridge only runs on your machine, giving you full control over the communication channel between desktop apps and your hardware wallet.
Permissioned access
Applications must request explicit access. You grant permissions and confirm every action on your physical Trezor device.
Cross-platform
Available for Windows, macOS and Linux with an easy installer and low resource footprint.
Why Trezor Bridge matters
A hardware wallet is only as strong as the channel used to interact with it. While web-based integrations are useful, they introduce extra attack surface and browser dependency. Trezor Bridge provides a predictable, audited way for desktop apps to talk to a USB or WebUSB-attached Trezor device. The result: faster response times, fewer compatibility edge-cases, and a security model you can reason about.
Core benefits
- Isolates device communication from the browser and remote servers.
- Limits privileges to explicitly permitted apps only.
- Provides clear user prompts and consistent firmware checks.
- Simple installation with automatic updates or manual control.
Under the hood — technical overview
Trezor Bridge acts as a local proxy that exposes a tightly-scoped API over loopback (localhost). Applications send requests to the Bridge; the Bridge validates the caller, forwards the request to the Trezor device over USB (or WebUSB where applicable), and then returns a signed response only after you confirm on-device. This layered approach separates user intent from application logic and keeps private key material on the hardware itself.
Design principles
- Minimal trust: only the Bridge and the device are trusted to handle critical operations.
- Transparency: clear, logged interactions you can audit locally.
- Interoperability: a stable API that works across wallets and developer tools.
Developer friendliness
For developers, the Bridge exposes a simple JSON-RPC-like interface and provides example libraries for common languages. This encourages reproducible integrations while keeping security checks centralized in the Bridge layer—preventing each app from reinventing the same safety heuristics.
const bridge = await TrezorBridge.open(); const devices = await bridge.getDevices(); await bridge.connect(devices[0]);
Security posture and best practices
Security is a shared responsibility. The Bridge introduces safeguards, but users should follow best practices: keep firmware updated, install the Bridge from official channels, verify application sources, and always confirm transaction details on the device screen.
Recommendations
- Use official installers and verify checksums/signatures when available.
- Keep your OS and drivers updated to reduce USB-related vulnerabilities.
- Accept Bridge permissions only for apps you trust; revoke access when not needed.
- Back up seed phrases securely and never enter them into a connected computer.
Privacy considerations
Trezor Bridge does not collect or transmit private keys, seeds, or transaction data to third parties. It is a local utility; logs and telemetry—if present—are opt-in and designed to aid troubleshooting without exposing sensitive details.
Frequently asked questions
Bridge is recommended for desktop applications and for situations where browser-based WebUSB support is limited. For pure browser workflows, native WebUSB can work, but Bridge provides a more stable, permissioned approach for offline-first desktop apps.
Yes. Bridge is intentionally lightweight and runs with minimal privileges. Follow basic hygiene—install official releases, update regularly, and keep your Trezor device firmware current.
Treat unexpected permission requests with caution. Deny access, verify the app's authenticity, and consult support channels. The Bridge only grants permission after you confirm on-device.