The BitBoxBridge is a small background application that allows supported web wallets, such as MyEtherWallet, to communicate with your BitBox02.
If the BitBoxBridge is not running, not installed correctly, or blocked by another application, your web wallet may not detect your BitBox02.
This guide helps you check whether the BitBoxBridge is working and how to fix the most common BitBoxBridge connection issues.
You normally do not need to open the BitBoxBridge manually. After installation, it runs in the background.
Before you start
Make sure the following requirements are met:
- You are using a desktop or laptop computer.
- You are using the web version of the external wallet, not a mobile app.
- Your BitBox02 is connected via USB.
- The BitBoxApp is completely closed.
- The BitBoxBridge is installed.
Close the BitBoxApp before using your BitBox02 with a web wallet. The BitBox02 can only communicate with one application at a time. If the BitBoxApp is open, the web wallet may not detect your device.
If you have not installed the BitBoxBridge yet, follow this guide first:
→ Install the BitBoxBridge
Check if the BitBoxBridge is running
- Open a new tab in your browser.
- Go to: http://127.0.0.1:8178/
- Check what appears in the browser.
You can also use http://localhost:8178/. Both addresses point to your own computer and can be used to check whether the BitBoxBridge is reachable locally.
If the BitBoxBridge is running, you should see a simple status page with text similar to:
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If the status page appears, the BitBoxBridge itself is running. If your web wallet still does not detect your BitBox02, continue with the next steps.
If the page does not load, the BitBoxBridge is not running, not installed correctly, or blocked by another application.
Check if your computer detects the BitBox02
Even if the BitBoxBridge is running, your web wallet cannot connect if your computer does not detect the BitBox02 over USB.
- Disconnect your BitBox02.
- Connect it again using USB.
- Check whether your operating system detects the BitBox02.
- If your computer does not detect the device, follow this guide:
→ Check whether your operating system detects the BitBox02
[macOS showing the connected BitBox02]
This step helps you separate two different issues: a BitBoxBridge issue and a USB/device recognition issue.
Reinstall the BitBoxBridge
If the BitBoxBridge does not load, does not start correctly, or was not installed properly, reinstalling it is the cleanest way to restart it.
- Uninstall the BitBoxBridge from your computer.
- Restart your computer.
- Install the latest BitBoxBridge version again.
- Open http://127.0.0.1:8178/ or http://localhost:8178/ to verify that it is running.
- Connect your BitBox02 to the web wallet again.
Follow this guide to uninstall and reinstall the BitBoxBridge:
→ Uninstall and reinstall the BitBoxBridge
A fresh reinstall can help if the BitBoxBridge installation is incomplete, outdated, or blocked by your operating system.
Check firewall, VPN, and browser security settings
If the BitBoxBridge is installed and running but the web wallet still cannot connect, a firewall, VPN, antivirus tool, or strict browser setting may block the local connection.
The BitBoxBridge uses a local address on your own computer. Some security tools may block this communication even though it does not leave your device.
- Temporarily disable your VPN.
- Temporarily pause strict firewall or antivirus blocking rules.
- Check whether your browser blocks local network or localhost connections.
- Try again in a supported desktop browser.
- Open http://127.0.0.1:8178/ or http://localhost:8178/ again.
- Re-enable your VPN, firewall, or antivirus after testing.
Only disable security tools temporarily for troubleshooting. Re-enable them immediately after testing.
If disabling a security tool solves the issue, allow the BitBoxBridge or the local address 127.0.0.1:8178 / localhost:8178 in your firewall, antivirus, VPN, or browser security settings.
Fix the installation error “The pipe is being closed”
If you see the error message “The pipe is being closed” while installing the BitBoxBridge, another program may be interfering with the installation.
- Close the BitBoxBridge installer.
- Temporarily close any antivirus or security software.
- Start the BitBoxBridge installer again.
- Complete the installation.
- Re-enable your antivirus or security software after the installation.
Only pause security software temporarily while installing the BitBoxBridge. Re-enable it immediately after the installation is complete.
Check your browser and web wallet setup
The BitBoxBridge works with supported desktop browser environments. It does not allow mobile apps to connect to the BitBox02.
- Use a desktop or laptop computer.
- Open the web wallet in a supported desktop browser.
- Do not use the wallet’s mobile app.
- Close the BitBoxApp completely.
- Reconnect your BitBox02.
- Try connecting again through the web wallet.
For web wallet connections, use the wallet’s website in a desktop browser. A mobile app cannot connect to your BitBox02 through the BitBoxBridge.
FAQ
Do I need to open the BitBoxBridge myself?
No. After installation, the BitBoxBridge starts automatically and runs in the background. You normally do not need to open or interact with it.
How can I check if the BitBoxBridge is working?
Open http://127.0.0.1:8178/ or http://localhost:8178/ in your browser. If the BitBoxBridge is running, you will see a simple status page.
Can I use localhost instead of 127.0.0.1 to check the BitBoxBridge?
Yes. You can use either http://127.0.0.1:8178/ or http://localhost:8178/. Both addresses point to your own computer and help you check whether the BitBoxBridge is running locally.
Why does my web wallet not detect my BitBox02?
The most common reasons are:
- The BitBoxBridge is not running.
- The BitBoxApp is still open.
- Your computer does not detect the BitBox02 over USB.
- A firewall, VPN, antivirus tool, or browser setting blocks the local connection.
- You are using a mobile app instead of the web wallet in a desktop browser.
- The BitBoxBridge installation is blocked or incomplete.
Should I keep the BitBoxApp open when using a web wallet?
No. Close the BitBoxApp completely before connecting your BitBox02 to a web wallet. The BitBox02 can only communicate with one application at a time.
Can I use the BitBoxBridge on a phone?
No. The BitBoxBridge is for desktop and laptop computers. Use the web wallet in a desktop browser, not a mobile app.
Can a VPN or firewall block the BitBoxBridge?
Yes. Some VPNs, firewalls, antivirus tools, or browser security settings can block local communication between the web wallet and the BitBoxBridge. Temporarily disable them for testing and re-enable them afterwards.
What should I do if the BitBoxBridge status page works but my BitBox02 is still not detected?
First, close the BitBoxApp completely. Then check whether your operating system detects the BitBox02 over USB. If the computer does not detect it, follow the USB troubleshooting guide linked above.
What should I do if the BitBoxBridge does not start?
Uninstall the BitBoxBridge, restart your computer, and install it again. A clean reinstall is usually the easiest way to restart the BitBoxBridge.