A practical, security-first walkthrough for connecting your Trezor hardware wallet to your computer. Recommendation: use Trezor Suite (desktop or web) because it includes Bridge functionality and is actively maintained.
Quick summary
Trezor Bridge used to be provided as a standalone helper app that allowed web browsers and other apps to communicate with Trezor devices. As of recent guidance, Trezor has deprecated the standalone Bridge and moved Bridge functionality into Trezor Suite. For the safest, easiest experience, download Trezor Suite from the official site and follow the built-in instructions to connect your device. (Official Trezor guidance & product updates.)
Hardware wallets keep private keys offline. To let a browser or app talk to the physical device securely, a small bridge/daemon traditionally ran on your computer to handle USB communications. Trezor has consolidated that into the Trezor Suite app to simplify installation and maintenance.
Recommended route: Download Trezor Suite (desktop) — it contains the necessary Bridge functionality and official verification flows. If you prefer a web flow, you can choose “Continue in browser” on Trezor Suite pages.
Select your OS (Windows / macOS / Linux) and download the installer package. Desktop gives the best integrated experience; web is available too.
3) Install
Run the downloaded installer and follow on-screen prompts. On macOS you may drag the app to /Applications; on Windows run the .exe.
Allow the installer any system permissions it requests for USB access (only if you trust the source and are on the official site).
4) Connect your Trezor device
Open Trezor Suite and connect your Trezor device via the official USB cable.
Follow the in-app instructions to authenticate the device, set PIN (if new), and — if needed — initialize or restore from recovery seed.
5) If you previously used standalone Bridge
If you still have a legacy standalone Trezor Bridge installation, Trezor recommends uninstalling it and switching to Trezor Suite. The standalone Bridge was deprecated and is being removed so that users have a simpler, better-supported experience. See Trezor's deprecation guide for uninstall instructions.
Security best practices (must-read)
Download only from trezor.io — never from search result mirrors or third-party download sites.
Check installer signatures / hashes if you need maximum assurance — Trezor provides verification guidance on the download/verify page.
Keep firmware & Suite updated: Trezor actively releases Suite and firmware updates; install updates from the app only.
Never enter your recovery seed into any computer or website. Recovery seed belongs on paper/steel backup only.
Buy hardware only from authorized resellers or directly from trezor.io — tampered devices from unknown sellers are a real risk.
Troubleshooting common issues
Device not recognized
Try a different USB cable and port (use the original cable where possible).
Restart Trezor Suite and reconnect the device.
On Windows, check Device Manager; on macOS check System Preferences → Security & Privacy if any permission prompts appeared.
If you have an old standalone Bridge installed, uninstall it and restart (legacy Bridge can conflict with Suite). See the official uninstall instructions if needed.
USB permission or browser access errors (web flow)
Ensure your browser is up to date and has permission to use USB devices.
Try the desktop app if the web flow doesn't detect the device.
Firmware update problems
If a firmware update fails, follow the “recovery” instructions provided by Trezor Support. Do not share your recovery seed with anyone claiming to help — instead, consult official support pages. Backups must be kept offline.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Q1 — What happened to the standalone Trezor Bridge?
A1 — Trezor has deprecated the standalone Bridge and consolidated Bridge functionality inside Trezor Suite (desktop & web workflows). Users are advised to move to Trezor Suite for the latest experience and security.
Q2 — Can I still download a standalone Bridge?
A2 — Legacy installers may still exist, but they are deprecated. For security and support, download Trezor Suite from the official site instead. If you must remove old Bridge installs, follow Trezor’s uninstall guide.
Q3 — Is Trezor Suite safe to run on my machine?
A3 — Yes — Trezor Suite is the official app maintained by the Trezor team. Verify you downloaded it from trezor.io/trezor-suite and optionally verify the file signature if you require extra assurance.
Q4 — My device won’t connect — what should I try?
A4 — Try a different cable/port, restart the app and computer, uninstall legacy Bridge if present, and ensure your OS gives the app USB permissions. If problems persist, consult official support.
Q5 — Where do I get help from Trezor?
A5 — Use Trezor’s official Support & Guides (see footer links) and follow support instructions rather than third-party advice for recovery steps.
Q6 — How do I keep my seed safe?
A6 — Write your recovery seed on paper or store on a metal backup solution built for seed storage. Never take photos or enter it into a computer or website. Keep copies in geographically separate, secure locations where appropriate.