trezor

Trezor Bridge

Official Communication Software for Trezor Hardware Wallet

Trezor Bridge® | Getting started — Trezor Support®

Introduction to Trezor Bridge

Welcome to the official Trezor Support guide for getting started with Trezor Bridge. This comprehensive tutorial will walk you through every step of installing, configuring, and using Trezor Bridge on your computer. Trezor Bridge is the essential communication layer between your Trezor hardware wallet and your web browser, enabling secure management of your cryptocurrency assets across multiple platforms.

Whether you're a first-time crypto user or an experienced trader, this guide ensures a smooth onboarding process. By the end, you'll be confidently managing your digital assets with the highest level of security. Trezor Bridge supports interaction with thousands of cryptocurrencies and tokens, providing you with a gateway to the decentralized financial ecosystem. Let's dive in and discover how Trezor Bridge works to protect your investments!

What is Trezor Bridge?

Trezor Bridge is a lightweight, open-source application that establishes a secure communication channel between your Trezor hardware wallet and your web browser. It acts as a critical intermediary that allows your browser-based wallet interface to interact with your physical Trezor device without compromising security. Unlike traditional software wallets that store your private keys on your computer, Trezor Bridge ensures that your keys never leave the secure element of your Trezor device.

Key Features:

  • Secure Device Communication: Enables encrypted communication between your Trezor wallet and browser applications like Trezor Suite Web.
  • Universal Browser Support: Works seamlessly with Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, and other modern browsers on all operating systems.
  • Transaction Signing: Allows you to review and sign cryptocurrency transactions directly on your Trezor device screen.
  • Multi-Currency Management: Manage Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and thousands of other cryptocurrencies and ERC-20 tokens.
  • Portfolio Monitoring: View real-time balances, transaction history, and market values across all your accounts.
  • DeFi Integration: Access decentralized applications, staking platforms, and DeFi protocols securely.
  • Firmware Updates: Keep your Trezor device up-to-date with the latest security patches and features.
  • Privacy Protection: All sensitive operations occur on your Trezor device, keeping your private keys completely offline.

Unlike browser extensions that can be vulnerable to web-based attacks, Trezor Bridge operates as a standalone background service on your computer. This architecture provides an additional layer of security by isolating the communication protocol from the browser environment. The bridge runs locally on your machine and only activates when you're actively using your Trezor device, minimizing exposure to potential threats.

Trezor Bridge is compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems. It's designed to work efficiently in the background without consuming significant system resources. The lightweight design ensures that your computer's performance remains unaffected while providing robust security for your cryptocurrency transactions. With automatic updates and a simple installation process, Trezor Bridge makes hardware wallet security accessible to everyone.

System Requirements

Before downloading Trezor Bridge, ensure your computer meets these minimum requirements for optimal performance and security:

Operating System:

• Windows: Windows 10 (64-bit) or later, Windows 11 recommended
• macOS: macOS 10.14 (Mojave) or later, macOS 13 (Ventura) or later recommended
• Linux: Ubuntu 20.04 or equivalent, Debian 10+, Fedora 32+, or any modern distribution with systemd

Hardware:

• At least 2 GB RAM (4 GB or more recommended for smooth multitasking)
• 100 MB of free disk space for the Trezor Bridge installation
• One available USB port (USB 2.0 or higher) for connecting your Trezor device
• A Trezor Model One, Trezor Model T, or Trezor Safe 3 hardware wallet

Internet Connection:

• Stable internet connection required for initial installation and checking blockchain data
• Minimum 1 Mbps download speed recommended
• Note: Transaction signing occurs offline on your Trezor device for maximum security

Browser Compatibility:

• Google Chrome 90 or later
• Mozilla Firefox 88 or later
• Microsoft Edge 90 or later
• Safari 14 or later (macOS only)
• Opera 76 or later
• Brave Browser 1.24 or later

Additional Requirements:

• Administrator or root access required for installation
• Firewall should allow connections to trezor.io and localhost
• Antivirus software should not block Trezor Bridge executable
• USB debugging enabled for some Linux distributions

Important Note: If your system doesn't meet these requirements, consider upgrading your operating system or using Trezor Suite Desktop application as an alternative. Trezor Suite provides a comprehensive all-in-one solution that includes the bridge functionality built-in.

Downloading Trezor Bridge

Follow these detailed steps to download the correct version of Trezor Bridge for your operating system:

Step 1: Visit the Official Website

Navigate to the official Trezor website at trezor.io/start or directly to suite.trezor.io/web/bridge. Always verify that you're on the authentic Trezor website by checking the SSL certificate (look for the padlock icon in your browser's address bar). Never download Trezor Bridge from third-party websites or unofficial sources to avoid malware and phishing attacks.

Step 2: Select Your Operating System

The Trezor website will automatically detect your operating system. Confirm that the correct version is selected:
• Windows: Look for the .exe installer file
• macOS: Look for the .pkg or .dmg installer file
• Linux: Choose between .deb (for Debian/Ubuntu), .rpm (for Fedora/RedHat), or AppImage for universal compatibility

Step 3: Download the Installer

Click the "Download for [Your OS]" button. The file will typically be named something like:
• Windows: trezor-bridge-2.0.31.exe
• macOS: trezor-bridge-2.0.31.pkg
• Linux: trezor-bridge_2.0.31_amd64.deb

The download should complete within seconds to a few minutes depending on your internet speed. The file size is typically between 20-50 MB.

Step 4: Verify the Download (Advanced Security)

For maximum security, verify the authenticity of the downloaded file by checking its cryptographic signature. Trezor provides SHA256 hashes and GPG signatures on their website. To verify:
• Compare the SHA256 hash of your downloaded file with the official hash on trezor.io
• On Windows, use: certutil -hashfile trezor-bridge-2.0.31.exe SHA256
• On macOS/Linux, use: shasum -a 256 trezor-bridge-2.0.31.pkg

If the hashes match, your download is authentic and hasn't been tampered with. This step prevents malware infections and ensures you're installing genuine Trezor software.

Security Warning: This verification step is crucial. Always download Trezor Bridge exclusively from trezor.io to avoid phishing scams and malicious software. Cybercriminals often create fake websites that mimic the official Trezor site. Bookmark the official URL and verify the SSL certificate before every download.

Installing the Application

Once you've downloaded the correct installer, follow these platform-specific installation instructions:

Windows Installation

  1. 1. Locate the downloaded .exe file in your Downloads folder
  2. 2. Right-click the installer and select "Run as administrator"
  3. 3. If Windows Defender SmartScreen appears, click "More info" and then "Run anyway" (this is normal for hardware wallet software)
  4. 4. Accept the User Account Control (UAC) prompt to allow the installer to make changes
  5. 5. Follow the installation wizard, accepting the default installation location (usually C:\Program Files\Trezor Bridge)
  6. 6. The installer will automatically start the Trezor Bridge service after installation completes
  7. 7. Verify installation by checking if the Trezor Bridge icon appears in your system tray (bottom-right corner)
  8. 8. Connect your Trezor device via USB and open your browser to suite.trezor.io to test the connection

macOS Installation

  1. 1. Open the downloaded .pkg file from your Downloads folder
  2. 2. macOS may display a security warning. Go to System Preferences → Security & Privacy and click "Open Anyway"
  3. 3. The installation wizard will open. Click "Continue" to proceed
  4. 4. Read and accept the software license agreement
  5. 5. Select the installation destination (typically your main system drive)
  6. 6. Enter your Mac administrator password when prompted
  7. 7. Wait for the installation to complete (usually takes 30-60 seconds)
  8. 8. Trezor Bridge will automatically launch as a background service
  9. 9. Grant any necessary permissions for the application to run in the background
  10. 10. Test the installation by connecting your Trezor and visiting suite.trezor.io

Linux Installation

For Debian/Ubuntu (.deb package):

  1. 1. Open Terminal
  2. 2. Navigate to your Downloads folder: cd ~/Downloads
  3. 3. Install using: sudo dpkg -i trezor-bridge_2.0.31_amd64.deb
  4. 4. Fix any dependency issues: sudo apt-get install -f
  5. 5. Start the service: sudo systemctl start trezord.service
  6. 6. Enable autostart: sudo systemctl enable trezord.service

For Fedora/RedHat (.rpm package):

  1. 1. Open Terminal
  2. 2. Install using: sudo rpm -i trezor-bridge-2.0.31.rpm
  3. 3. Start the service: sudo systemctl start trezord.service

Additional Linux Setup:

  1. 1. Add udev rules: sudo curl https://data.trezor.io/udev/51-trezor.rules -o /etc/udev/rules.d/51-trezor.rules
  2. 2. Reload udev rules: sudo udevadm control --reload-rules && sudo udevadm trigger
  3. 3. Add your user to plugdev group: sudo usermod -aG plugdev $USER
  4. 4. Log out and back in for changes to take effect

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you encounter any problems during installation or usage, here are solutions to common issues:

Bridge Not Detected

Solution:

  • Restart Trezor Bridge service from Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (macOS)
  • Check if your firewall is blocking the connection to localhost:21325
  • Reinstall Trezor Bridge using administrator privileges
  • Update to the latest version from trezor.io

Device Not Recognized

Solution:

  • Try a different USB port or USB cable
  • Ensure your Trezor device firmware is up to date
  • On Linux, verify udev rules are properly installed
  • Disconnect other USB devices that might cause conflicts

Installation Fails on Windows

Solution:

  • Temporarily disable antivirus software during installation
  • Run installer as administrator
  • Uninstall previous versions of Trezor Bridge completely
  • Check Windows Event Viewer for specific error messages

Getting Started with Trezor Bridge

Now that Trezor Bridge is installed, you're ready to start using your Trezor hardware wallet:

Quick Start Steps:

  1. 1. Connect your Trezor device to your computer via USB
  2. 2. Open your web browser and navigate to suite.trezor.io
  3. 3. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up or access your wallet
  4. 4. Enter your PIN on the Trezor device screen when prompted
  5. 5. Begin managing your cryptocurrency portfolio securely

Trezor Bridge runs silently in the background, automatically connecting your Trezor device to compatible web applications. You'll only need to interact with the Bridge if you need to update it or troubleshoot connection issues. For most users, the Bridge works seamlessly without requiring any configuration or maintenance.

Security Best Practices

  • ✓Always verify transactions on your Trezor device screen before confirming
  • ✓Never share your recovery seed with anyone or store it digitally
  • ✓Keep your firmware updated to receive the latest security enhancements
  • ✓Use a strong PIN and enable passphrase protection for added security
  • ✓Only download Trezor software from official trezor.io domains

Need Help?

If you need additional assistance, Trezor offers comprehensive support resources:

  • • Visit the Trezor Knowledge Base at support.trezor.io for detailed guides
  • • Join the Trezor Community Forum to connect with other users
  • • Contact Trezor Support directly through the official website
  • • Follow @Trezor on Twitter for updates and security announcements