Seamlessly connect your Trezor Hardware Wallet with your digital world
Trezor Bridge is a lightweight communication layer designed to bridge your computer or browser with your Trezor device. Whether you’re initiating a session from Trezor.io/start or launching Trezor Suite, the Bridge ensures smooth interaction with your Trezor Hardware Wallet. Many users refer to the initial setup as Trezor Io Start, but regardless of the label, the Bridge works invisibly in the background to route secure messages and commands between your computer and your Trezor.
The Bridge replaces direct browser USB integration, which is often blocked or restricted by browsers’ security policies. Without Trezor Bridge, certain browsers may struggle to detect or communicate with your hardware wallet. But when you install it, your browser sees a local server interface, facilitating safe and authorized communication.
Getting started typically begins at Trezor.io/start. You download and install the Bridge component, which runs as a small background application. Once installed, when you connect your Trezor device, the browser requests access and is mediated by Bridge.
Bridge essentially sets up a tiny local server (e.g. at localhost) on your machine. When you open Trezor Suite or want to do a Trezor Login via browser, the Bridge translates the web page requests into commands the hardware wallet can understand, and likewise sends back responses. This ensures your private keys never leave the device.
Because the Bridge runs at the system level, it works with many browser environments without requiring browser-specific extensions or plugins. Whether you use Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or other supported browsers, the Bridge remains consistent.
When you launch the Trezor Suite desktop app or use a browser-based interface via Trezor.io/start, the Bridge is automatically leveraged to forward your commands. As soon as you plug in a Trezor device, the Suite detects it and prompts for your PIN or passphrase, mediated by the Bridge.
Some web services may allow authentication using your Trezor device. In those cases, when you click “Login via Trezor,” your browser attempts to reach the Trezor device. Bridge ensures the communication path is established and secure, preventing unauthorized access or malicious interception.
You can connect multiple Trezor devices (e.g. Model T, Model One). Bridge handles addressing them uniquely. The Suite or web interface will let you pick which connected device to use for a given operation.
Bridge also plays a role when updating firmware or recovering your device. It is part of the communication chain that sends signed commands, verifying their authenticity before instructing the Trezor device to flash new firmware or restore from recovery seeds.
The Bridge does not store keys or sensitive data. It only forwards messages between the browser and the device. All cryptographic operations—signing, decrypting, key management—happen strictly on the device. The Bridge is merely a neutral messenger.
Always ensure you run the latest Bridge version. The Trezor team may update protocols to counteract emerging threats or browser changes. You’ll often see prompts in Trezor Suite or via Trezor.io/start when a Bridge update is necessary.
On modern OSes, Bridge’s operations are sandboxed; it runs without unnecessarily elevated privileges. Also, it listens only on localhost interfaces, meaning that external devices or networks cannot access it.
If you ever suspect your Bridge install is compromised, you can uninstall it and download a fresh version from Trezor.io/start. After reinstallation, the communication chain is reset and any prior interference is cleared.
Note: using unauthorized or patched Bridge forks can introduce vulnerabilities. Always use the official editions from the Trezor website. Avoid third-party downloads or modified builds.