This document explains what Trezor Bridge was, how it enabled secure communication between your Trezor hardware wallet and applications, how to install or remove it, and the recommended migration path to modern connection options. It includes security tips and troubleshooting steps for everyday use.
Trezor Bridge was a small companion application that allowed web apps and desktop apps to communicate with Trezor hardware wallets over USB. It acted as a local communication daemon to provide a stable transport layer between browser-based UIs (or the official Trezor Suite) and the physical device.
Historically this made connecting devices simpler across different browsers and operating systems by exposing a consistent local API for Trezor devices. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
The Bridge ran as a background process (daemon) on the host computer. When a supported browser or Trezor Suite wanted to talk to the hardware, it routed messages through the Bridge which translated them into USB/HID calls to the device.
Bridge was maintained with compatibility for major browsers and common desktop OSes. Official packages were provided for Windows, macOS and several Linux distributions. For advanced users, source repositories and package formulae were available. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Historically installers were distributed via Trezor’s official servers and mirrored locations. However, due to changes in the Trezor software stack, the standalone Bridge was later deprecated; users are encouraged to follow the official guidance instead of installing old Bridge releases. Always download installers only from Trezor's official domains or verified package managers. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
If you have the standalone Bridge installed, the official guidance recommends uninstalling it to avoid conflicts with current Trezor Suite releases and new connection methods. Follow the support article on the official site for platform-specific removal steps. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
Never download Bridge or related helper apps from third-party sites that are not official Trezor domains or well-known package repositories (Homebrew, official GitHub). Using official sources reduces the risk of tampered installers.
Keep your Trezor firmware and Trezor Suite updated. The firmware validates transaction signatures locally; the Bridge only transports messages — secure signing still happens on-device. If Trezor Suite cannot see your device, consult the official troubleshooting guide. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
If basic checks fail — firmware mismatch, persistent connection issues, or unexpected prompts — use Trezor’s official support and guides to avoid following unsafe third-party instructions. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
Because the standalone Bridge has been deprecated, the recommended path is to use the official Trezor Suite (desktop or web) and follow the guidance in Trezor’s support/guides pages for the appropriate connection method for your device model. This reduces the need for a separate Bridge daemon and avoids future compatibility issues. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}