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trezor.io/start — Official Trezor® Setup & Quickstart Guide

Welcome to Trezor.io/Start, the official starting point for setting up and using your Trezor hardware wallet securely. Whether you're new to crypto or a seasoned holder, Trezor ensures your digital assets remain safe, offline, and under your full control. To begin, one key component you’ll need is Trezor Bridge — the software that enables secure communication between your Trezor device and your computer.

What is Trezor Bridge?

Trezor Bridge is a background application that facilitates communication between your Trezor hardware wallet and your browser or desktop applications. It's required for the web version of Trezor Suite and other third-party applications that interact with your wallet.

Why It Matters

Modern browsers have moved away from allowing direct USB communication with devices like Trezor for security reasons. Trezor Bridge bridges the gap, enabling encrypted, secure communication without compromising on usability. Without it, your Trezor device won’t be detected by web-based interfaces like Trezor Suite.

Main Functions

  • Secure USB Communication
    Trezor Bridge handles secure data transfer between your Trezor device and supported software.
  • Browser and App Compatibility
    Enables Trezor Suite (Web) and third-party apps like MetaMask, Electrum, or MyEtherWallet.
  • Automatic Device Recognition
    Recognizes your device upon connection and helps initialize or manage your wallet.

Installing Trezor Bridge

Visit trezor.io/start and follow the prompts based on your operating system.

Windows

  1. Download the latest version of Trezor Bridge for Windows.
  2. Run the installer and follow setup instructions.
  3. After installation, restart your browser.

macOS

  1. Download the macOS .dmg installer from Trezor’s official site.
  2. Drag Trezor Bridge to your Applications folder.
  3. Grant permissions in System Preferences > Security & Privacy if prompted.
  4. Restart your browser.

Linux

  1. Download the .tar.gz file and extract it.
  2. Run the installation script in Terminal.
  3. Add necessary udev rules for USB access.
  4. Restart your browser to apply changes.

Tips

  • Always install Bridge from the official Trezor website.
  • Keep Bridge and your device firmware up to date for best performance.
  • Close any conflicting software (e.g., older Trezor Chrome extensions).

Using Trezor Bridge

Once installed, Trezor Bridge runs quietly in the background. When you plug in your Trezor device, it automatically enables secure access to Trezor Suite Web and other applications.

Typical Actions Supported

  • Initializing your Trezor device
  • Creating or recovering a wallet
  • Sending and receiving crypto
  • Signing transactions
  • Viewing portfolio and transaction history
  • Managing multiple accounts or tokens

Troubleshooting

Browser Does Not Detect Bridge

  • Restart your browser.
  • Ensure Bridge is installed and running.
  • Disable extensions that may block scripts (e.g., ad blockers).

Device Not Recognized

  • Use a different USB cable or port.
  • Confirm Trezor Bridge is active.
  • Reconnect the device and reload Trezor Suite.

Firmware Update Fails

  • Use the desktop version of Trezor Suite to perform updates.
  • Ensure you're using a supported browser (Chrome, Firefox).
  • Temporarily disable VPNs or proxies that may interfere.

Security Best Practices

Recommendations

  • Only download software from Trezor.io.
  • Never share your recovery seed or PIN.
  • Use passphrase protection for added security.
  • Regularly update your firmware and Bridge software.
  • Verify all actions on your Trezor device screen before confirming.

Developer Integration

Trezor Bridge supports Trezor Connect, an easy-to-use JavaScript API for web developers to integrate secure hardware wallet features into their apps. It handles all communication, allowing developers to focus on user experience while leaving key management to the hardware wallet.

5 FAQs

1. Do I need Trezor Bridge for Trezor Suite?
Only for the web version. The desktop version has Bridge built-in.

2. Is Trezor Bridge safe to use?
Yes. It’s developed by SatoshiLabs and digitally signed for security.

3. Can I use Bridge on multiple browsers?
Yes, but only one instance of Bridge should be active at a time.

4. Does Bridge store my private keys?
No. Your private keys never leave your Trezor device.

5. What if I uninstall Bridge?
Web apps won’t detect your Trezor device. Reinstall Bridge to restore functionality.

Conclusion

Getting started with your Trezor device is simple and secure through Trezor.io/Start®. Installing Trezor Bridge ensures your hardware wallet communicates seamlessly with your browser, providing a robust and private crypto experience. Whether you're using Trezor Suite or integrating with third-party services, Trezor Bridge is the key to unlocking full functionality and security.