Install & Setup
Trezor Bridge must be installed once per-machine to enable secure browser/desktop access to your Trezor device. It runs as a small local service that listens on a loopback port and provides a stable API for client apps. Installation is straightforward across operating systems.
Download
Get the latest Bridge installer from the official Trezor site. Prefer the latest stable release unless you are testing a beta under explicit instructions.
Run installer
Follow OS prompts. On Windows you may need administrator permissions; on macOS allow the helper service; on Linux, install via package or AppImage depending on your distribution.
Verify service
After installation, open your browser and navigate to Trezor Suite or an official web client. The client should detect Bridge and request access to the device.
Grant permissions
When prompted, allow the app to communicate with Bridge. If your browser blocks the connection, allow the local loopback or check firewall rules.
Common command-line checks
# macOS & Linux # check if bridge process is running ps aux | grep trezord # Windows (PowerShell) Get-Process -Name *trezor* -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
Security Considerations
Trezor Bridge minimizes attack surface by keeping private key operations on the device. However, the local host service still must be treated with caution:
- Official sources only: Download Bridge from trezor.io and verify integrity when checksums are available.
- Local access: The bridge listens on localhost; applications on your machine may attempt to access it. Only allow trusted clients.
- Browser extensions: Avoid untrusted extensions that request local host access; they might attempt to interact with Bridge.
- Updates: Install Bridge updates promptly — updates often patch compatibility and security issues.
How Bridge protects communications
Developer Integration
If you build applications that interact with Trezor, Bridge provides a well-defined API. Use official libraries (trezor-connect, etc.) which abstract low-level transport and implement best practices for user prompts and event handling.
Basic usage (example)
// Example using trezor-connect (pseudo)
TrezorConnect.init({ manifest: { email: 'dev@example.com', appUrl: 'https://example.com' } });
TrezorConnect.getPublicKey({ path: "m/44'/0'/0'/0/0" }).then(response => {
if (response.success) console.log(response.payload);
});
Best practices for apps: implement clear UI flows, request only necessary permissions, and always show step-by-step confirmations before performing signing operations.
Troubleshooting tips for developers
- Confirm Bridge is running and reachable on localhost.
- Check console logs for transport errors or CORS blockage.
- Ensure your app's manifest (if required) is registered properly and matches the email/appUrl expectations for trezor-connect.