Hardware wallets like Trezor put your private keys offline, dramatically reducing the attack surface for your crypto. But to move coins, sign transactions, or manage accounts you still need a reliable way for your computer or browser to talk to the device. Historically, Trezor Bridge filled that role — a small local program that acted as a secure messenger between the browser and your Trezor device.
Below are the official pages referenced throughout the guide. They are styled as full, vivid official links for quick access.
In simple terms, Trezor Bridge was a small local HTTP/WebSocket server that ran on your computer. When you connected the device, browser-based apps or the Trezor Suite could talk to that local service to send commands and receive responses from the hardware wallet without exposing keys to the internet.
Role: Local mediator between USB/WebUSB and web apps.
Why it existed: Historically browsers had limited direct USB support; Bridge provided a stable, cross-platform channel.
How communication happened: The browser would call a local endpoint and the Bridge would translate to USB messages that Trezor understands.
Bridge simplified compatibility: users on Windows, macOS, and older browser versions could still use a modern web wallet without custom browser settings. It also consolidated the update and compatibility logic into one small package.
The web platform has continued to evolve: modern browsers support WebUSB and WebHID, and Trezor's own ecosystem introduced Trezor Suite — a desktop and web application that handles device communication in a more integrated way. For that reason, the Trezor team published an official deprecation notice recommending users migrate away from the standalone Bridge and adopt Trezor Suite or native browser support where appropriate.
Security is the primary reason people choose hardware wallets. When considering Bridge (or any local mediator), bear these principles in mind:
When you update firmware, follow the official guide Update Trezor firmware — never install firmware from untrusted sources.
Even when Bridge is working, connectivity problems occasionally crop up. Here are quick, practical fixes:
Developers building integrations should reference the official GitHub repositories (for trezord / trezord-go and related tooling) rather than relying on third-party forks. See the GitHub link above for developer resources.
If you require advanced integrations (for example a custom web app interacting with Trezor), prefer modern APIs like WebUSB or the official trezord implementations and follow the project’s developer guidance on GitHub.
Trezor Bridge was an important piece of infrastructure that made hardware wallets widely usable across platforms and older browsers. Today, as browsers and Trezor’s own ecosystem evolve, most users will find a safer, simpler path through Trezor Suite and native browser APIs. The critical takeaway: always use official software, stay current with firmware and guidance, and follow the official migration steps if you still have the standalone Bridge installed.
Want a single place to get started? Download Trezor Suite from the official Trezor site (link #2 above) and follow the Getting Started guides in the Learn section for device setup, firmware updates, and secure practices.