Trezor Bridge — Secure Connectivity & Migration Guide

This guide walks you through installing and using Trezor Bridge securely on desktop, keeping best practices in mind, and migrating or restoring wallets when you need to move assets between devices or wallets. It’s written for everyday users who want clear, practical steps and safety-first advice.

Overview — what this guide will help you do

Trezor Bridge is the local application that mediates communication between your browser or desktop wallet and your Trezor hardware device. It provides reliable connectivity while ensuring private keys stay on the hardware. This document covers: safe installation and daily use of Bridge; verifying and managing device and app connections; practical migration strategies (moving wallets, restoring seeds, migrating accounts to new devices); and troubleshooting the most common issues.

Why Bridge matters

Browsers, operating systems, and USB APIs change often. Bridge isolates those changes from how your wallet talks to your device by running a small, local service. It reduces breakage, improves cross-platform compatibility, and offers a consistent, auditable interface. Most importantly, Bridge never exposes private keys — it only forwards signing and verification messages to the Trezor device.

Quick tip: treat Bridge like a small, trusted helper — it makes connectivity simpler but it’s still software running on your computer, so install it only from official sources.

Preparation & system requirements

Before installing Bridge, confirm:

  • Your operating system is supported (modern Windows, recent macOS or a current Linux distro).
  • You have administrative privileges for installation (or the equivalent for your OS).
  • Your Trezor device and cable are on hand and in good condition.
  • You will download installers only from the vendor’s official site to avoid tampered binaries or phishing pages.

Security reminder: Do not download Bridge from untrusted mirrors. If a download or installer looks unusual (unsigned, unexpected prompts), delete it and fetch a fresh copy from the official website.

Install Bridge — step-by-step

  1. Download the Bridge installer from the official vendor downloads page. Choose the package matching your OS (.exe for Windows, .dmg for macOS, or the appropriate package for Linux).
  2. Run the installer and follow on-screen instructions. On macOS, drag the app to Applications; on Linux follow the distro-specific instructions (you may use .deb or package manager steps).
  3. Grant permissions if prompted — Bridge runs as a local service and may request permission to listen on localhost or access USB. Only grant these to verified installers from the official domain.
  4. Confirm Bridge is running — a tray/menu icon or a local status page usually indicates Bridge is active. Restart your browser after install if you plan to use browser-based wallets.
  5. Connect the Trezor with an official cable and follow the web wallet or desktop wallet prompts to connect. Always confirm that the device prompts match expected actions before approving.

Linux users: you might need to install or update udev rules so non-root users can access USB devices. Consult the official Linux setup instructions for exact udev file content and commands.

Safe daily usage & operational habits

Bridge simplifies connectivity, but your habits keep assets secure. Adopt these simple rules:

Connectivity tips

  • Keep Bridge running during an active session for smoother reconnections.
  • Use the official cable — poor-quality cables frequently cause disconnects.
  • Close unrelated browser tabs or apps that might hold stale sessions or competing device connections.

Security habits

  • Always verify addresses and transaction details on the Trezor device screen before signing.
  • Store your recovery seed offline — never photograph or upload it.
  • Quit Bridge when not in use if you prefer a minimized running surface.

Migration & restore scenarios — overview

“Migration” covers several common actions: moving funds from a custodial/external wallet to a Trezor-backed wallet, restoring a seed to a new or replacement Trezor, or transferring accounts between different hardware devices. The strategy you choose depends on whether you control the recovery phrase (your seed) and whether you want to preserve on-chain history, addresses, or specific keys (e.g., xpub for Bitcoin derivations).

Migrating from an exchange or custodial wallet

  1. Create an account on your Trezor via the official setup flow and ensure you have a secure, verified copy of your recovery seed.
  2. Use a receive address from the Trezor (via your desktop or web wallet connected through Bridge). Always verify the receive address on-device before sharing it with the exchange.
  3. Transfer a small test amount first. After confirmations, send the remaining balance. For tokens on smart-contract chains, ensure the receiving address supports that token or network.
  4. Consider timing & fees: batch transfers if gas/fees are high, and confirm any required token approvals before moving funds in large amounts.

If you have funds across multiple exchanges, repeat the process per account and track transactions until all balances are moved.

Restoring a seed on a new Trezor or migrating between devices

  1. Confirm the seed integrity: ensure the recovery phrase you plan to use is accurate and complete before wiping any existing device.
  2. Initialize the new device using the official restore flow rather than creating a new seed. Enter the seed only on the hardware device when prompted — never on a computer.
  3. Update firmware & verify apps through official tools after the restore completes.
  4. Check addresses and balances in the wallet app and on-chain explorers to confirm funds appear as expected.

If you suspect any exposure of the recovery phrase at any point, move funds to a new seed (generate a fresh wallet) immediately and do not reuse the compromised seed.

Advanced migration: preserving derivation paths & multisig

If you use custom derivation paths, multisig setups, or hidden wallets (passphrases), plan migration carefully. For multisig, add the new device’s public keys to the policy before removing the old key. For passphrase-protected wallets, you must supply the same passphrase during restore; losing a passphrase renders access impossible.

Pro tip: document non-sensitive metadata (derivation path, xpubs, multisig policy) in a secure place so restoration preserves address compatibility.

Troubleshooting — common issues & fixes

Bridge not detected by browser

  1. Restart your browser and make sure Bridge is running (tray/menu icon or status page).
  2. Check for firewall or security software blocking localhost connections.
  3. Reinstall Bridge using the official installer if needed.

Device disconnects

  • Try a different USB cable or port and avoid unpowered hubs.
  • Disable laptop USB power-saving features.
  • Ensure firmware on device and Bridge version are up to date.

Migration issues (missing funds after restore)

Confirm you used the correct seed, derivation path, and network. Some tokens or assets may require adding custom token metadata or using a specific app/plugin. If in doubt, pause and consult official documentation; do not share your seed with others offering help.

FAQ

Does Bridge ever see my private keys?

No. Bridge forwards messages between apps and your device. Private keys and signing occur only on the hardware wallet.

Can I migrate without reinstalling Bridge?

Yes — Bridge is only the connectivity layer. Migration actions (sending or restoring seeds) are performed through wallet apps and the device. Bridge does not store wallet data.

What if my seed was exposed during migration?

If you suspect exposure at any time, immediately generate a new wallet on a secure device, move funds to the new addresses, and securely discard the compromised seed. Do not reuse compromised seeds under any circumstance.

Final recommendations

Trezor Bridge eases desktop integration while keeping cryptographic keys safe on your device. For secure connectivity and migration: always use official downloads, verify every transaction on-device, keep firmware up to date, and protect your seed with offline, physically separated backups. When migrating, test with small amounts, document non-sensitive configuration details (derivation paths, multisig policies), and if anything looks suspicious, stop and seek official support — never share your recovery seed.