Trezor Bridge — The Secure Gateway to Your Hardware Wallet (Independent Guide)

Important:

This page is an independent educational resource. It explains general concepts and safe practices for using bridge-style software with hardware wallets. For device-specific firmware, downloads, and official support, always consult the manufacturer's verified website. Never enter or share your recovery seed with anyone.

What is a bridge and why it exists

A “bridge” is a small local service or helper app that lets your browser or desktop dApps communicate reliably with a hardware wallet connected to your computer or mobile device. Browsers and operating systems differ in how they allow USB or Bluetooth access. A bridge provides a consistent, local API so dApps can request address discovery and transaction signing while the hardware device retains sole control over private keys.

How it works (high level)

Local service: The bridge runs on your machine and listens on a localhost port or uses native IPC.
Transport: It forwards messages over USB HID, WebHID/WebUSB, or Bluetooth to the hardware wallet.
On-device confirmation: The device displays transaction details for you to verify and physically confirm.
Return of signed payload: The signed transaction is returned to the app for broadcast; the private keys never leave the device.

The on-device display is the tamper-resistant truth: even if your host is compromised, the device should show the actual amount and recipient before you sign.

Safe installation steps

Download from a verified source: Type the manufacturer's domain yourself or use a trusted bookmark. Avoid email or social links.
Verify integrity: If checksums or signatures are offered, verify them before installing.
Install and run: Follow OS prompts. Grant only the permissions required for device communication and localhost networking.
Confirm the service is running: Check your system tray/menu bar for the bridge process before connecting the device.

Note: If an installer requests your recovery seed or private keys at any point, stop — it is malicious.

Daily workflows — receive, send, sign

Receiving

Generate a receiving address in your wallet manager or dApp and always verify the exact same address on your hardware device screen before sharing it. This prevents hosts from substituting an attacker-controlled address.

Sending

Create the transaction in the app. The bridge forwards the signing request and the hardware device displays the recipient, amount and fees. Carefully compare every field on-device — if something looks wrong, cancel the operation.

Contract interactions

Smart-contract calls may show limited information on-device. Prefer dApps that decode calls to readable summaries and avoid global, unlimited approvals for tokens. When in doubt, cancel and review the contract on a block explorer or trusted interface.

Security best practices

Always verify the bridge binary and only install from official sources.
Use the device display as the final authority — verify address, amount, and token details on the hardware screen every time.
Run web3 interactions in a dedicated browser profile to minimize extension and cookie interference.
Keep firmware and bridge software updated via official channels only.
Never store your recovery seed digitally — no photos, screenshots, or cloud backups. Consider a metal backup for durability.

Troubleshooting common issues

Bridge not detected

Ensure the bridge/service is running (system tray or process list).
Restart the browser or try a fresh profile without extensions.
Try a different USB cable/port (some cables are power-only).

Device not recognized or locked

Unlock the device with your PIN on-device.
Restart the device and the bridge; re-open the dApp.

Warning: If the transaction details shown on the device differ from the app, do not confirm — that can indicate malware or host compromise.

Developer guidance (brief)

If you build dApps that integrate with a bridge, follow these rules: never request seeds or private keys; present clear, human-readable transaction summaries; validate and display the origin of the request; handle device states (locked, disconnected, firmware mismatch) gracefully; and prefer standard transports (WebHID/WebUSB) where available. Minimal, well-documented APIs and clear UX reduce accidental user errors.

Advanced considerations

For very high-value custody, consider multisig arrangements, air-gapped signing workflows, or dedicated signing stations. Bridges are great for convenience, but air-gapped signing (export unsigned tx, sign on an offline device, import signed tx) removes the bridge from the signing path entirely for maximal isolation.