Seamless Migration: The Deprecation of Standalone Trezor Bridge

This document outlines the necessary steps to transition from the legacy Trezor Bridge application to the modern, integrated connection methods within **Trezor Suite**.

Phase 1: Understanding the Change and Rationale

The dedicated **Trezor Bridge** application, which previously served as a local communication layer between your browser and your Trezor device, has been officially deprecated. This strategic decision aligns with our commitment to providing the highest standards of security, functionality, and user experience. The standalone Bridge, while effective in its time, required a persistent background process and introduced a layer of complexity that is now obsolete thanks to advancements in modern web technology.

The future of secure hardware wallet interaction is through **WebUSB**, a contemporary protocol that allows direct, secure communication between your Trezor device and the Trezor Suite application running in your browser, **without the need for intermediary software**. This shift significantly streamlines the user experience, reduces potential points of failure, and enhances the overall security posture by utilizing native browser security models. If you have been relying on the Bridge for services like MyEtherWallet (MEW), MyCrypto, or other third-party integrations, it is crucial to migrate to the Trezor Suite desktop or web app immediately to ensure uninterrupted access to your assets. This transition is not merely a change in software, but an upgrade to a more robust and future-proof interaction model.

Phase 2: Step-by-Step Migration to Trezor Suite

The recommended and most secure path forward is the adoption of the **Trezor Suite** desktop application. Trezor Suite is a comprehensive interface that provides a cleaner, more feature-rich environment for managing your crypto portfolio, including coin control, advanced exchange features, and native support for WebUSB. The migration process is straightforward and consists of three key stages:

Download and Install Trezor Suite: Navigate to the official Trezor website and download the latest version of Trezor Suite for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux). This single application replaces the functionality of the Bridge entirely and utilizes the highly secure WebUSB protocol for device communication when connected via your web browser.
Ensure the Bridge is Removed: To prevent software conflicts and ensure a clean transition, it is highly recommended that you uninstall the standalone Trezor Bridge application from your computer. On Windows, use 'Add or remove programs'; on macOS, drag the application from the Applications folder to the Trash. The persistent Bridge background process can sometimes interfere with the new WebUSB connection.
Connect and Finalize: Launch the Trezor Suite application. Connect your Trezor device via USB. The Suite will now use the integrated WebUSB mechanism to establish a secure, direct connection. Upon successful connection, you will immediately notice a more stable and responsive interaction compared to the legacy Bridge connection. All future device interactions, including firmware updates, wallet management, and coin sending, will be managed exclusively through the Trezor Suite interface.

For Linux users, while the Bridge was historically necessary, the Trezor Suite AppImage bundle is now the preferred method, often containing the necessary udev rules to enable direct device communication via WebUSB, entirely bypassing the need for a manually installed Bridge service. This streamlined approach underscores the commitment to simplicity and security across all platforms.

Phase 3: The Advantage of WebUSB Integration

The transition to WebUSB through Trezor Suite brings significant technical and practical advantages. Firstly, it offers a notable performance boost, allowing faster signing of transactions and quicker loading times for your portfolio. Secondly, and most importantly for security, it reduces the attack surface. By eliminating the need for a persistent local server (the Bridge) that listens for connections, we minimize potential vectors for man-in-the-middle attacks or malicious exploits targeting local services.

Trezor Suite is your single, trusted environment for all operations. It provides a dedicated, full-screen view of your assets, enhances privacy by routing fewer requests through web-based components, and offers features like CoinJoin integration and full-node connectivity for advanced users. We urge all users to complete this migration immediately to benefit from these advancements and ensure continuous, secure operation of their Trezor device. Your digital security is our priority, and this migration is a vital step in maintaining the integrity of your hardware wallet experience.

Download Trezor Suite and Migrate Now

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

WebUSB is a secure browser standard that allows direct communication between your Trezor device and the Trezor Suite web application. It replaces the legacy Bridge software, which was a separate executable that ran in the background. WebUSB is faster, more secure because it integrates with modern browser security policies, and eliminates the need for any additional software layer to be constantly running on your machine.

The functionality previously supported by the Bridge is rapidly shifting. While some third-party applications may have transitioned to WebUSB, the most reliable and secure way to use your Trezor is now through the official Trezor Suite application (desktop or web). We recommend checking the official documentation of any third-party service you use to confirm their current connection method compatibility. Using Trezor Suite remains the recommended best practice.

Absolutely not. Your seed phrase and all cryptographic material remain securely stored on your Trezor hardware device and are not affected by the software layer used to communicate with it. The migration only affects the communication protocol (moving from the local server/Bridge to the direct WebUSB connection). Your assets are safe, provided your seed phrase has never been exposed and is backed up securely offline.

The most common cause of connection issues post-migration is a conflict with the old, still-running Trezor Bridge service. Ensure the Bridge is completely uninstalled and that no background processes are active. Also, try different USB ports and ensure you are using the official, high-quality USB cable supplied with your Trezor. If issues persist, check the Trezor status page or contact official support channels for platform-specific troubleshooting.