Where to download Trezor Bridge
Always obtain Trezor Bridge from the official source. The trusted root is Trezor.io/start — type it manually or use a bookmarked link. Avoid search result links or emails that claim to offer Bridge installers. Official downloads include platform-specific installers for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Platform installers
Installation steps
- Download the correct installer from the official site.
- Verify the checksum or signature if provided (see verification section below).
- Run the installer and follow prompts; Bridge runs as a local background process.
- Open your browser or Suite and connect your Trezor — Bridge will facilitate USB communication.
Verifying the installer
Verifying installers ensures you are running an authentic, untampered file. If the vendor provides SHA256 checksums or PGP signatures, compare them to the downloaded file using system tools (sha256sum, shasum) or PGP verification utilities. Only trust checksums published on the official site; cross-check the publication date and the download URL to reduce the risk of a spoofed page.
Using Bridge with Trezor Suite and browsers
After installing Bridge, it typically runs in the background and allows browser-based wallet integrations to reach your Trezor. Modern versions of Trezor Suite may no longer require Bridge because they use native drivers; follow official guidance. When prompted by a website or app to connect, ensure the origin is legitimate and verify the transaction details on your Trezor device before approving.
Security considerations and best practices
Even though Bridge is local software, it interacts with web pages that could be malicious. Best practices:
- Install Bridge only from the official site and verify checksums where available.
- Keep Bridge and Suite updated using official releases.
- When connecting to web wallets, verify URLs carefully and do not paste your seed anywhere.
- Use a dedicated browser profile for crypto operations and disable unnecessary extensions that could intercept messages.
When not to install Bridge
If you only use Trezor Suite (desktop) and it offers native device support, you may not need Bridge. Bridge is primarily for enabling certain browser integrations or supporting legacy setups. If an official guide does not instruct installing Bridge, prefer the native Suite workflow.
In short: Bridge can be useful for specific integrations, but treat it like any other system component — verify, install from official sources, and maintain good operational security.
Detailed example: connecting a browser wallet through Bridge
Imagine you want to use a browser-based dApp that supports hardware wallets but the browser lacks direct USB access for your OS configuration. After installing Bridge, open the dApp and choose "Connect hardware wallet". The dApp will send a request that Bridge receives locally; Bridge then relays the request to your Trezor. Your Trezor will display a prompt describing the action (e.g., account derivation or transaction approval), and you must confirm on-device. Because the final approval step is on hardware, even if the dApp was malicious, it cannot sign a transaction without your physical confirmation — this is why on-device verification is the ultimate safeguard.
However, because Bridge mediates local communication, a compromised machine or a malicious extension could attempt to trick you into approving harmful operations. To mitigate this, always confirm addresses and amounts shown on the physical device. Consider using browser profiles with minimal extensions for crypto tasks, and keep regular backups of your recovery seed stored offline in secure places like a safe or bank deposit box.