This document explains the role of Trezor Bridge in connecting your Trezor hardware wallet to a desktop browser and Trezor Suite, why secure communication matters, how to install or migrate away from Bridge (if required), and best practices for safe usage. It is written as a presentation-style article so you can paste the HTML into a slide or web page and use the headings (h1–h5) to structure your delivery.
Hardware wallets such as Trezor are the safest way to hold private keys because they keep key material offline. However, safe management depends on a secure channel between the device and the user's application (browser or Trezor Suite). Trezor Bridge historically provided that channel for browsers that cannot directly talk to USB devices. Recently, Trezor has shifted emphasis to Trezor Suite, and the standalone Bridge has been deprecated in favor of integrated connectivity—this guide explains both the legacy and the recommended current paths.
Trezor Bridge was a lightweight background daemon that bridged USB communication between the Trezor device and a browser. It enabled web-based wallet interfaces to safely send protobuf messages to the device without exposing private keys. Developers also relied on Bridge during the era when browsers had limited HID/WebUSB support.
Important: Trezor's official documentation indicates that the standalone Trezor Bridge has been deprecated and users are encouraged to migrate to Trezor Suite or the integrated solutions. If you still use Bridge for legacy reasons, follow the vendor guidance to avoid conflicts with newer releases.
If you're setting up a new device in 2025 and later, prefer Trezor Suite where possible. If you rely on the standalone Bridge, check Trezor's deprecation notice and uninstall instructions before upgrading other components.
Always download relevant software from the official Trezor domain. The safe starting point is the official start page and Trezor Suite download pages. Avoid third-party mirrors for installers.
Trezor Suite bundles communication layers and reduces friction by integrating device support. Install the Suite app for your desktop (Windows/Mac/Linux) and keep it updated. Suite also guides you through firmware updates and device authentication in a user-friendly flow.
Some legacy workflows still use standalone Bridge. If you choose that route, verify the source, match the installer for your OS, and follow the official installation instructions. After installing Bridge, confirm your browser can detect the device and that you are prompted to allow the connection when required.
If your Trezor isn't detected after installing Bridge or Suite, try the following: swap USB cable/port, ensure Bridge/Suite is running, restart the host machine, and check for OS-level permissions that block USB access. On Mac and Linux, modern kernel and permissions are typically required.
Because the standalone Bridge has been deprecated, having it installed alongside newer Suite versions may cause conflicts. If you encounter erratic detection behavior, follow the official uninstall steps for Bridge and rely on Trezor Suite's integrated connection instead.
If standard troubleshooting fails, consult official support channels or community resources. Never share your recovery seed or private keys; support staff will never ask for them. Provide only device model, OS, logs, and steps to reproduce the issue when asking for help.
Install only official components (Trezor Suite, firmware, drivers) from the vendor site. Avoid browser extensions or third-party tools that request seed input. Minimize software that has direct access to USB/HID interfaces.
Firmware updates fix security issues and add features. Only install firmware from the official Trezor flow (Trezor Suite). When updating, verify the device prompts and the confirmation words displayed on-device—these are the authoritative indicators of a secure update.
Always treat your Trezor and recovery seed as the highest-value assets. Perform sensitive operations in trusted environments, maintain backups of your recovery seed in physical form, and consider hardware-encrypted storage for long-term retention.
Below are curated official links you can include in your slide notes or handouts. They point to the official vendor documentation, downloads, and repositories. Use them as the authoritative sources when advising others.
These links are the official sources referenced while preparing this guide. Prefer them for the latest, authoritative instructions and downloads.