Trezor Bridge — Secure Connection for Your Trezor

Slide 1 — Introduction

What is Trezor Bridge?

Trezor Bridge is a small helper application that creates a secure communication channel between your Trezor hardware wallet and web-based wallet interfaces. It runs locally, allowing browsers to access a connected Trezor device without exposing the device to the network directly.

Key idea

Local middleware for security

Slide 2 — Why Bridge exists

Browser limitations

Browsers put restrictions on direct USB and HID access for security. Bridge fills the gap by offering an authorized, user-installed service that safely exposes a controlled API the browser can use to interact with your Trezor device.

Benefits

Simplifies browser integration
Reduces attack surface compared to exposing raw device APIs

Slide 3 — Security model

How Bridge protects keys

Trezor Bridge intentionally never has access to private keys stored on the hardware. Commands routed through Bridge are forwarded to the device; cryptographic operations happen on the Trezor itself. Bridge acts only as a messenger and enforcer of origin policies.

Trust boundaries

Device <— Bridge <— Browser

Slide 4 — Installation & setup

Installing Bridge

Download and install the Trezor Bridge application from the official Trezor site, then connect your hardware wallet via USB. During first use the browser will prompt you to allow access to the device; this explicit confirmation is an important security checkpoint.

Platform support

Windows, macOS, and Linux builds are typically provided.

Slide 5 — Day-to-day usage

Workflow

When you interact with web wallets or services that support Trezor, Bridge will automatically detect the device. The web interface will then request signing of transactions or verification actions; you'll confirm these actions on your physical Trezor screen.

Best practice

Always verify details on the device display before approving.

Slide 6 — Common questions

Is Bridge safe?

Yes, provided you install Bridge from the official source and maintain your device firmware. Bridge does not hold or transmit private keys. The most critical security step is to ensure you validate transaction details on the Trezor screen.

Troubleshooting

If Bridge fails to detect a device, try reconnecting USB, restarting Bridge, or checking OS permissions.

Slide 7 — Advanced integration

Developers & APIs

Developers can rely on the Bridge's local API and the official Trezor Connect library to integrate hardware wallet functionality into web applications. Always use the official libraries and follow recommended origin and HTTPS practices.

Security tips for devs

Use HTTPS, validate origins, and avoid exposing diagnostic endpoints.

Slide 8 — Privacy considerations

Minimal metadata

Trezor Bridge transmits only the required command/response data between the web client and device. It does not collect unnecessary usage metadata. For maximum privacy, separate sensitive operations to private networks and ensure your browser has up-to-date privacy settings.

User control

You control when to allow device access and what actions to confirm on the device.

Slide 9 — Best practices

Keep everything updated

Regularly update your Trezor firmware, Bridge app, and browser. Use strong passphrases, and only install Bridge from the official Trezor domain. Treat recovery seeds as the single source of truth and never share them with anyone.

Operational hygiene

Backups, verification, and firmware checks.

Slide 10 — Summary & links

Recap

Trezor Bridge is a lightweight, local helper that securely connects your Trezor hardware wallet to browser-based applications while preserving on-device key security. It balances usability and safety when used with official tools and careful user practices.

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