Trezor Bridge

What is Trezor Bridge?

Trezor Bridge is an essential software component that acts as a secure communication layer between your Trezor hardware wallet and web browsers or desktop applications. It replaces outdated browser plugins (like the Trezor Chrome extension) with a more reliable, cross-platform solution that ensures your private keys never leave the hardware device.

Key Function: Enables encrypted, authenticated communication via USB/WebUSB while maintaining complete isolation of sensitive cryptographic operations on the Trezor device.

Why Trezor Bridge is Essential

Modern web applications require secure interaction with hardware wallets to sign transactions, verify addresses, and manage assets. Trezor Bridge provides this functionality without compromising security:

Zero Trust Architecture: Private keys never touch your computer
Cross-Platform Support: Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux
WebUSB Compatibility: Direct browser-to-device communication
Encrypted Transport: All data between app and device is encrypted
Automatic Updates: Security patches delivered seamlessly

How Trezor Bridge Works

The Bridge operates as a lightweight background service that listens for connection requests from supported applications. When you connect your Trezor device:

Bridge detects the device via USB/WebUSB
Establishes an encrypted session using device-specific keys
Routes protobuf-encoded messages between app and firmware
Hardware wallet performs signing operations internally
Signed data is returned without exposing private keys

This architecture ensures that even if your computer is compromised, attackers cannot extract private keys or sign arbitrary transactions without physical access and PIN confirmation on the device.

Technical Implementation

Trezor Bridge is built using modern web technologies and native system integration:

Core: Node.js with native USB libraries
Protocol: Protobuf messages over encrypted channels
Transport: HID/USB for legacy, WebUSB for modern browsers
Security: Code signing, sandboxing, automatic updates

trezord-go is the open-source daemon written in Go that powers Trezor Bridge communication on desktop systems.

Installation & Setup

Getting started with Trezor Bridge is straightforward:

Download from trezor.io/start
Install the Bridge application
Connect your Trezor device
Visit supported dApps (MetaMask, MyEtherWallet, etc.)
Select "Connect Hardware Wallet" and choose Trezor

The Bridge runs silently in the background and automatically connects when needed. No browser extensions required.

Supported Applications

Trezor Bridge enables connectivity with hundreds of cryptocurrency applications:

MetaMask (via WebUSB)
MyEtherWallet / MyCrypto
Electrum (Bitcoin)
Trezor Suite (official app)
Third-party wallets and DeFi platforms

Any application implementing the Trezor Connect library can communicate through Bridge.

Security Best Practices

To maximize security when using Trezor Bridge:

Download only from official sources
Verify GPG signatures of downloads
Keep Bridge updated automatically
Always confirm transactions on device screen
Use passphrase for additional protection
Never enter seed words on any website

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If your Trezor isn't connecting:

Ensure Bridge is running (check system tray)
Try different USB ports/cables
Allow WebUSB in browser settings
Update Trezor firmware via Trezor Suite
Restart Bridge service

Linux users may need to configure udev rules for USB access.

Future of Hardware Wallet Connectivity

Trezor Bridge represents the evolution of hardware wallet integration, moving away from fragile browser extensions toward robust, system-level communication. Future developments include:

Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) support
Improved WebUSB fallback mechanisms
Enhanced multi-device session management
Integration with mobile wallets via USB-OTG

The goal remains unchanged: keep private keys offline while enabling seamless user experience across all platforms.

Download Trezor Bridge