🔹 What Is Trezor Bridge?

Trezor Bridge is a lightweight background service that enables communication between your Trezor hardware wallet and your web browser. It’s primarily used to connect your Trezor device to browser-based applications like:

• Trezor Web Wallet
• MetaMask (when using a Trezor for Web3 authentication)
• Other dApps and browser extensions

Bridge handles local communication over USB and doesn’t need to access the internet itself.

🔹 When Internet Is NOT Needed

You do not need internet access for the following:

• Trezor Bridge installation (offline method) – If you’ve already downloaded the installer from a trusted source, you can install it on an offline computer.
• Device communication – Trezor Bridge runs locally. It simply acts as a bridge between your browser and your Trezor hardware wallet.
• Recovery phrase handling – Generating or viewing your recovery seed is done completely offline on the device itself.

If you're only testing device recognition or doing an offline setup or audit, the Bridge can run without a live connection.

🔹 When Internet IS Needed

You will need internet access for:

• Downloading Trezor Bridge initially (if not installing from USB)
• Using browser-based apps that depend on internet (e.g., MetaMask, Trezor Web)
• Checking coin balances or broadcasting transactions
• Fetching exchange rates or token data
• Updating firmware or Trezor Suite software

So while the Bridge itself can function without internet, many of the things you use it for do rely on a live connection.

🔹 Use Case: Offline Environment

If you’re using a fully air-gapped system (i.e. no internet at all):

• You can still use Trezor Bridge to interact with your Trezor device locally.
• But you’ll need to prepare all software tools (e.g., Trezor Web interface files or dApp frontends) in advance and run them locally.
• Broadcasting transactions or syncing account balances would need to be done manually or on a separate online device.

✅ Conclusion

• Trezor Bridge itself does not require internet—it’s a local communication tool.
• However, most browser-based apps and crypto features that use Trezor Bridge do require an internet connection.
• For security setups in offline or high-security environments, Bridge can still be used, but expect some limitations unless you prepare tools in advance.

Bottom line: If you're using Trezor in a typical way (browser, dApps, Suite Web), you’ll need internet. But Bridge can operate independently of it for local-only tasks.