Trezor Bridge — Secure device communication for your Trezor

What is Trezor Bridge?

Trezor Bridge was a lightweight background application developed to provide a stable, cross-platform communication layer between your Trezor hardware wallet (Model One, Model T, Safe series) and web-based or desktop wallet software. It served as a translation layer to bridge differences between browsers, operating systems, and the low-level USB communication required by the device.

Historically, Bridge solved compatibility and permission issues that arose when browsers changed or limited direct access to USB devices. By running locally, Bridge let browser-based wallet interfaces reliably detect and exchange encrypted messages with the Trezor device without the end user needing to configure low-level permissions manually.

How it worked — key features

• Cross-platform support: installers were provided for Windows, macOS and Linux so the same helper could run across systems.
• Transparent background service: after installation Bridge ran silently and managed device discovery and messaging).
• Consistent browser behavior: Bridge mitigated differences between browsers’ native USB APIs so web apps had a dependable API surface.
• Security-first design: signing and critical actions still required physical confirmation on the Trezor device — Bridge only handled transport, not private key use.

Note: the standalone Bridge installer has been deprecated. Trezor now encourages users to adopt Trezor Suite, which integrates device communication and removes the need for a separate Bridge installation. Official guidance and migration steps are provided by Trezor. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

Security and privacy considerations

Transport helpers such as Bridge are intentionally limited: they do not have access to your secret recovery phrase or private keys. Any action that would expose or move funds requires explicit physical approval on the Trezor device itself. That hardware-confirmation step is the fundamental security boundary — even if a Bridge-like service runs on your machine, an attacker cannot sign transactions without tapping the device buttons.

Trezor’s security model places cryptographic operations inside the hardware. Bridge simply forwards encrypted requests and responses to the device; it does not parse or store private key material. For the most current security guidance, Trezor’s documentation summarizes how device, firmware, and host software interact. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Installation, current status, and migration

For many years users installed a standalone Bridge when working with web wallets or older integrations. Over time, Trezor consolidated functions into the official Trezor Suite desktop and web app. As part of this transition the standalone Bridge installer has been deprecated and users are advised to remove it in favor of the Suite app. The Suite bundles secure device communication and simplifies the setup and update flow for firmware and app components. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

If you still find a Bridge process on your machine and you prefer the up-to-date workflow, follow the official removal and Suite installation instructions available from Trezor. Migrating to Suite reduces friction and prevents possible interference from old standalone Bridge installations.

A short history

Trezor Bridge was introduced to address early browser/OS limitations and to provide a reliable communication layer for the growing ecosystem of web-based crypto wallets. It evolved as browsers implemented different USB policies and as new device models appeared. Over time, as the Trezor Suite matured and browsers standardized more device APIs, Trezor centralized the communication responsibilities into their official application and announced deprecation of the standalone Bridge. The original blog announcement and follow-ups document this evolution and the reasons for the change. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

Recommendation

If you are setting up a new Trezor device today, use Trezor Suite (desktop or web) as your primary interface. It includes the necessary device communication stack, keeps the software updated, and reduces potential conflicts. If you currently run a standalone Bridge, consult the official Trezor guidance for safe removal steps before migrating to Suite. For any downloads or verification, always use the official Trezor website and follow verification instructions. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}