Trezor Bridge — What it was, why it changed, and how to move to Trezor Suite

Snapshot: Trezor Bridge was a local background application that allowed web pages and desktop apps to communicate with Trezor hardware wallets. The Trezor team has deprecated the standalone Bridge in favor of the integrated Trezor Suite experience; this guide explains what that means, how to transition, and how to troubleshoot common issues.

What Trezor Bridge did

Trezor Bridge acted as a small, secure intermediary between your Trezor hardware device and applications (browser pages or desktop clients) on your computer. Because web browsers restrict direct USB access from web pages for security reasons, Bridge provided a trusted local API that the Trezor web apps and desktop apps used to send commands to the device (for example: request a signature, show an address, or confirm a transaction).

Why the standalone Bridge was deprecated

Over time, Trezor consolidated its desktop and web experiences into Trezor Suite, which integrates the communication layer natively. Maintaining a separate, always-running Bridge application introduced complexity (installation, platform-specific quirks, potential interference) and a larger surface for user confusion during updates. For a cleaner, more maintainable user experience the Trezor team has moved away from the standalone Bridge toward the integrated Suite approach.

What this means for you

If you currently have the standalone Trezor Bridge installed, the recommendation from Trezor is to uninstall it and use the latest Trezor Suite (either the desktop app or the web suite) which contains the necessary device communication features. Leaving an old Bridge installation in place may cause conflicts with newer versions of Suite or future updates.

How to move from Bridge to Trezor Suite (quick steps)

1. Download Trezor Suite: Choose the desktop app for the best local experience or use the web app for browser-based access.
2. Install or open Suite: Follow the on-screen setup instructions. Suite will detect and communicate with your connected Trezor device when prompted.
3. Uninstall the standalone Bridge (if present): Remove the Bridge package using the OS-specific removal method (for macOS, run the Bridge uninstall package; for Windows, use Programs & Features -> uninstall; for Linux follow distribution-specific removal instructions).
4. Verify device access: Open Suite and confirm the device appears and that you can view addresses or sign a test transaction (no on-chain funds required for verification).

Platform-specific notes (short)

Windows: Use the Control Panel or Settings to uninstall any “TREZOR Bridge” entry. Restart the machine if Suite prompts you to, and connect your device after Suite is running.

macOS: If Bridge installed an uninstall.pkg, double-click it to run the uninstaller; alternatively remove Bridge from /Applications if present, then empty the Trash.

Linux: Many Linux users never installed a separate Bridge because Suite’s web app + browser native APIs or distribution packages covered needed functionality; if you installed Bridge from a package manager, remove it with the same package manager (for example, apt, dnf, or pacman depending on distro).

Security and best practices

• Only download Trezor Suite or Bridge installers from the official Trezor website or verified GitHub releases.
• Verify signatures or checksums where offered before running installers.
• Never share your recovery seed with any app, website, or person. Trezor will never ask for your full seed.
• Keep your device firmware and Suite app up to date to receive the latest security and compatibility fixes.

Troubleshooting: common issues & fixes

Device not found: Make sure the cable is data-capable, not charge-only. Try a different USB port and avoid USB hubs when testing. For Windows, ensure drivers (if still required) are installed; for macOS check that Bridge was fully uninstalled before installing Suite.

Suite says Bridge conflict: If you see messages about a running Bridge or a conflicting installation, fully uninstall the standalone Bridge and then restart Suite—this usually resolves the conflict.

Browser access problems: When using Suite in the browser, ensure the web app is the official Suite web app (not a third-party mirror). If the browser blocks access, try the desktop Suite app which bundles the needed communication logic.

Alternatives & when to use them

If you prefer not to run the desktop app, you can use the web version of Trezor Suite (hosted by the official Trezor domain). For advanced users integrating Trezor into custom tooling, consult Trezor’s developer resources and official libraries—but for everyday wallet management, the Suite application covers the same functionality Bridge provided, in a maintained and supported package.

Short FAQ

Q: Can I keep using the old Bridge?
A: You can for a while, but it’s discouraged. Trezor recommends uninstalling the standalone Bridge to avoid compatibility issues with future Suite updates.

Q: Will uninstalling Bridge wipe my wallet?
A: No. The Bridge is just a communication utility — your wallet state and recovery seed live on the Trezor device itself. Still, ensure you have your recovery seed backed up before making major changes, as a general safety practice.

Q: Where do I download Suite?
A: Always download from the official Trezor site or follow links from the official documentation pages.