What is Trezor Bridge?
Trezor Bridge is (or was) a small local background application that allowed websites and Trezor Suite to communicate with Trezor hardware wallets when direct browser USB access was restricted. The bridge acted as a local HTTP/transport mediator—webpages would talk to the Bridge, and the Bridge would talk to the Trezor device over USB. This design simplified cross-browser compatibility and made device access consistent across operating systems and web clients. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Why a bridge? (short technical rationale)
Modern browsers limit low-level USB and HID access for security. A trusted local component reduces risk by isolating raw device access in a controlled program—this makes integrity checks, updates, and transport security easier than exposing raw USB directly to arbitrary webpages. For many years bridges like Trezor Bridge were an effective compromise between usability and safety. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
How Trezor Bridge worked — high level
Typical flow
- Install Trezor Bridge on your desktop (Windows/Mac/Linux).
- Open a supporting web app (or Trezor Suite).
- The web app sends HTTP/XHR/websocket calls to the locally running Bridge service.
- Bridge performs USB communications and returns results to the web app.
Security posture
The Bridge minimised the attack surface by restricting the precise protocol and update path. However, it is still a local service that must be kept updated and trusted. Trezor historically recommended obtaining Bridge only from official channels and verifying signatures or checksums. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
Current state: deprecation & migration
In recent years Trezor has shifted functionality into Trezor Suite and embraced modern browser standards (like WebUSB) and newer local helpers (e.g., trezord). As a result, the standalone Trezor Bridge has been officially deprecated: users are encouraged to migrate to Trezor Suite or follow official guidance for removal. If you still have a standalone Bridge installed, follow the official uninstall or migration instructions from Trezor. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
What to do if you see “install Trezor Bridge” prompts
If a web page asks you to install Bridge, first confirm you are on an official site (e.g., trezor.io or trezor-suite pages). Prefer installing the Trezor Suite desktop app or using the browser web app (Continue in browser) where recommended. Follow the official download & verification pages to avoid malicious downloads. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
Uninstalling legacy Bridge
Trezor explicitly documents how to remove standalone Bridge from macOS and Windows — do this before installing newer tooling to avoid conflicts. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
For developers & integrators
Alternatives to Bridge
- Use WebUSB / WebHID when supported.
- Use Trezord (a tiny local HTTP server for newer flows) or embed Trezor functionality into the desktop Trezor Suite app.
- Check official SDKs and integration guides that describe best practices and supported transports. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
Testing & compatibility
Homebrew and distribution package repositories may carry a packaging of the old bridge for convenience, but always prefer official maintained builds and confirm version notes (Homebrew formula pages list current versions and compatibility). Keep an eye on Trezor product updates and Suite release notes for migration guidance. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
Practical user FAQ
Do I need Bridge to use my Trezor?
Not necessarily. Many users can use the Trezor Suite desktop app or the web app with WebUSB/WebHID support. Bridge is only needed for some older flows or older browsers. Check the official “Get started” and download pages for the recommended current setup. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
Where to download safely?
Always download from the official Trezor website or the official GitHub repos; verify checksums/signatures when provided. Links at the end of this article point to the recommended official pages for Suite, downloads, guides and developer resources. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
Sample HTML snippet — show official links styled
Copy this snippet into your site to present "official" Trezor links with the same blue style used here:
<!-- Official links block -->
<div class="links">
<a class="official-link" href="https://trezor.io/trezor-suite" target="_blank">Trezor Suite</a>
<a class="official-link" href="https://trezor.io/start" target="_blank">Get started with Trezor</a>
<a class="official-link" href="https://trezor.io/guides" target="_blank">Trezor Guides</a>
<a class="official-link" href="https://trezor.io/support" target="_blank">Trezor Support</a>
</div>Why style links?
Visually consistent, clearly highlighted official links help users recognize trusted sources and avoid phishing or malicious downloads. Use an accessible contrast color and include `rel="noopener noreferrer"` when opening in a new tab for security.
Conclusion
Trezor Bridge played a useful role bridging browser limitations and hardware wallets. As browsers and official tooling evolved, Trezor has moved toward built-in Suite functionality and WebUSB/WebHID support—meaning most users will not need the standalone Bridge going forward. If you rely on legacy flows, follow the official deprecation/migration instructions and always download or uninstall Bridge via the official pages. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}