Trezor Bridge — information & safety guidance
A concise, practical overview describing what Trezor Bridge is, current recommended usage patterns, and safety best practices for users of hardware wallets and companion software.
What it is (short)
Trezor Bridge historically served as a small helper application that enabled communication between a Trezor hardware wallet and desktop web browsers or the official Trezor Suite. It acted as a local communication layer so the browser or desktop app could detect and securely communicate with the physical device.
Current status & recommended approach
Users are encouraged to prefer the official Trezor Suite application or other officially supported methods for interacting with Trezor devices. Standalone helper programs that used to be common may be deprecated or phased out; keeping your system aligned with official guidance reduces compatibility and security risks.
If you have legacy helper software installed, consult official guidance about whether to remove it to avoid conflicts with new releases.
Practical safety tips
- Verify sources: always download software only from the official vendor site or an explicitly verified distribution channel. Avoid unknown mirrors and installers.
- Protect your recovery seed: your seed phrase is the single point of control for funds. Never type it into a website or share it with anyone.
- Beware of phishing: fake pages, emails, and impostor support are common—treat unexpected requests for device access or seed data as malicious.
- Keep firmware and official software up to date: updates patch bugs and improve compatibility, but only apply updates obtained from official sources and verified checksums where provided.
- Use device-level protections: enable PIN or passphrase features as supported by your hardware wallet to add extra protection should the device or backup ever be exposed.
Install & removal notes (concise)
If guidance from the official vendor states a specific helper is deprecated, follow the vendor's instructions to remove it. Retaining deprecated helper software may cause functional conflicts or unpredictable behavior with newer management suites.
FAQ — quick answers
Q: Is a helper component able to take funds from my device?
A: The hardware wallet is designed so that the private keys never leave the device; however, social engineering, malicious firmware installations, or revealing your recovery seed can enable loss. Use vendor-recommended workflows to minimize risk.
Q: How do I spot fakes?
A: Check domain names carefully, compare official documentation, and avoid installers from third-party download sites. When in doubt, consult official support resources.