What is Trezor Bridge?

Trezor Bridge is a lightweight background service that enables secure communication between your Trezor hardware wallet and your web browser. It acts as a facilitator, allowing the Trezor Wallet interface to interact with your physical Trezor device without requiring browser extensions or additional drivers.

Trezor Bridge runs silently in the background, automatically starting when needed and ensuring that your Trezor device can securely communicate with web applications that support Trezor hardware wallets.

Key Features

Automatic Detection

Seamlessly detects your Trezor device when connected

Background Operation

Runs quietly without interrupting your workflow

Secure Communication

Establishes encrypted channels between device and browser

Cross-Platform

Works consistently across different operating systems

Security Architecture

Trezor Bridge implements multiple layers of security to protect your cryptocurrency assets and private keys:

Local Communication Only

The application operates exclusively on your local machine, ensuring that sensitive data never leaves your computer. All communication happens between the Trezor device connected to your USB port and the browser running on the same system.

Certificate Verification

Trezor Bridge uses digital certificates to verify the authenticity of communication requests, preventing malicious websites from accessing your device without proper authorization.

Minimal Permission Model

The service operates with the minimum required permissions, reducing the attack surface and ensuring that even if compromised, the potential damage is limited.

How Trezor Bridge Works

When you connect your Trezor device to your computer, Trezor Bridge automatically detects the connection and establishes a secure communication channel. This process involves several steps:

  • Device Detection: The service monitors USB ports for Trezor hardware wallets
  • Handshake Protocol: Establishes encrypted communication with the device
  • Browser Integration: Provides a secure interface for web applications to interact with your Trezor
  • Transaction Signing: Facilitates the signing process while keeping private keys secure on the device

This architecture ensures that your private keys never leave the Trezor hardware wallet, maintaining the highest level of security for your cryptocurrency transactions.