Deprecation & Removal — Standalone Trezor Bridge
How to Set Up and Use the Deprecation and Removal of Standalone Trezor Bridge
The Trezor team has deprecated the standalone Trezor Bridge application and consolidated its functionality into Trezor Suite and newer transport layers. This change simplifies updates, reduces compatibility issues, and improves security — but it also means users should uninstall the legacy Bridge and migrate to the bundled or built-in alternatives to avoid connection problems. This guide walks you step-by-step through why Bridge was deprecated, how to remove it safely, and how to continue using your Trezor device with minimal disruption. ⚙️🔐
Why the change? Standalone Bridge was a small helper program that allowed browser wallets and some legacy apps to talk to a Trezor device. Over time, Trezor Suite absorbed that role and modernized the communication stack (for example, using integrated Bridge code, nodeBridge, or direct Suite transports). Consolidation reduces duplicated updates and security surface area, and ensures automatic updates with Suite so you stay on supported, signed builds.
What this means for you: If you currently have standalone Trezor Bridge installed, you may experience conflicts, missing device detection, or failures when Suite or web apps move to the new transport layer. To stay supported, uninstall standalone Bridge and switch to Trezor Suite (desktop or web) or to the officially recommended transport for your platform. Device functionality and recovery remain the same — only the software pathway has changed.
Step 1 — Back up and verify: Before making any changes, ensure you have your recovery seed securely stored offline. Uninstalling Bridge does not affect the seed or the firmware on your device, but it’s best practice to confirm that you can access and unlock your device and that your seed is safe. If you use other apps that rely on legacy Bridge-only integrations, note them down so you can switch workflows.
Step 2 — Uninstall standalone Bridge: Use your OS standard add/remove programs or application removal tool. On Windows, go to Settings → Apps → find “Trezor Bridge” and uninstall. On macOS, remove the Bridge package from /Applications or via the PKG uninstaller. On Linux use your package manager if you installed via a package, or remove the binary. Removing the old Bridge cleans up system services and reduces the chance of interference with Suite’s integrated transport.
Step 3 — Install Trezor Suite: Download Trezor Suite from the official Trezor site and install it. Suite bundles the required transport code and keeps it updated automatically. The Suite desktop app or the new recommended transports will detect your Trezor device, guide firmware checks, and provide an integrated UI for managing accounts, sending/receiving, and firmware upgrades. If you prefer a web-first approach, the official web Suite may provide the needed connectivity without separate Bridge installs.
Troubleshooting: If Suite doesn’t detect your device after uninstalling Bridge, reconnect the device, try a different USB cable or port, and restart Suite. Also check that your device firmware is up to date — very old Model One firmwares may require additional steps or fallbacks. If you see persistent issues, visit Trezor’s troubleshooting documentation or support channels for device-specific guidance.
Legacy apps and alternatives: Some older web wallets or services used the standalone Bridge explicitly. In those cases, either migrate to services that support Suite’s transport, use a modern browser that supports the newer Trezor integrations, or reach out to the service for updated instructions. Remember: running deprecated software long-term increases risk — consider replacing legacy workflows with Suite-compatible alternatives.
Security tips: Only download Trezor Suite and related tools from official Trezor resources. Verify signatures where available. Keep your OS and Suite up to date, and avoid third-party Bridge installers from untrusted sources. If you keep multiple machines, remove standalone Bridge from every machine to maintain consistent behavior.
Final notes: The removal of standalone Trezor Bridge is an intended improvement: fewer moving parts, automatic updates, and a simpler, safer user experience. With a verified recovery seed and Trezor Suite installed, your Trezor devices should continue working smoothly — and you’ll benefit from streamlined updates and better long-term support. 🚀