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Connecting your wallet to your node

How to connect your wallet to your Bitcoin node?

Setting up your first Bitcoin node

How to connect your wallet to your Bitcoin node?

  • Connection to Bitcoin Core RPC
  • Connect to Electrs
Now that you have a complete Bitcoin node, it's time to put it to good use! In the next chapter, we'll explore other potential uses for your Umbrel instance. However, let's begin with the basics: connecting your software wallet to use the information from your own blockchain and broadcast your transactions through your own node.
As mentioned above, there are two main connection interfaces:
  • Direct connection to Bitcoin Core via RPC;
  • Or connect to an Electrum server (Electrs or Fulcrum).
In this tutorial, we'll concentrate on connecting to your node via Tor, as this is both a simple and secure solution for beginners. I strongly advise against exposing your node's RPC port in the clear, as misconfiguration represents a significant risk to the security and confidentiality of your data. The main disadvantage of communications via Tor is its slowness. In the next chapter, we'll explore a fast and secure alternative to Tor for remote access to your node: VPN.
We'll use Sparrow as an example in this chapter, but the procedure is the same for all other wallet management software that support connections to Electrum servers. Simply locate the corresponding setting in your application parameters (usually in "Server", "Network", "Node"...).
On Sparrow, open the "File" tab and go to the "Settings" menu.
Then click on "Server" to access the connection parameters.
You will then discover three options for linking your software to a Bitcoin node:
  • Public Server (yellow): by default, if you don't own a Bitcoin node, this option connects you to a public node you don't own (usually a company's). This option is not relevant here, as you have your own node on Umbrel.
  • Bitcoin Core (green): this option corresponds to connection via RPC interface, i.e., directly to Bitcoin Core.
  • Private Electrum (blue): this option lets you connect via your indexer's Electrum Server interface (Electrs or Fulcrum).

Connection to Bitcoin Core RPC

If your Umbrel node doesn't have an indexer, this is the option you need to select. On Sparrow, click on "Bitcoin Core".
You will then need to enter several pieces of information to establish the connection to your node. All this data can be accessed from the "Bitcoin Node" application on Umbrel by clicking the "Connect" button in the top-right corner of the interface.
The "RPC Details" tab displays all the necessary information for connection. Choose to connect via Tor address (in .onion).
Enter these data in the corresponding fields on the Sparrow wallet, then click on the "Test Connection" button.
If the connection is successful, a green tick and a confirmation message will appear.
The checkmark in the bottom right corner of the Sparrow wallet interface will now be green (indicating a direct connection to Bitcoin Core).
Note: For the connection to succeed, your node must be 100% synchronized. If this is not the case, please wait until the end of the IBD.

Connect to Electrs

If your node has an indexer, it's better to connect to it than to use Bitcoin Core directly, as your queries will be processed more quickly.
On Sparrow, go to the "Private Electrum" tab.
You'll then need to enter several pieces of information to establish the connection with your indexer. You'll find this data in the "Electrs" application (or, where applicable, "Fulcrum") on Umbrel.
Select the "Tor" tab to obtain the .onion connection address. If you wish to connect a mobile software wallet, you can also scan the QR code directly.
Simply enter the Tor address of your Electrum server in the "URL" field, then click on the "Test Connection" button.
If the connection is successful, a check mark and a confirmation message will be displayed.
The checkmark in the bottom right-hand corner of the Sparrow wallet interface will turn blue (the color associated with connection to an Electrum server).
Note: For the connection to work, your indexer must be 100% synchronized. If this is not the case, wait until the indexing process is complete.
Now you know how to connect your wallet to your Bitcoin node! In the next chapter, I'll introduce you to several additional applications available on Umbrel that I'm particularly fond of, and that will enable you to enhance your daily use of Bitcoin through your node.
Quiz
Quiz1/5
Which Sparrow wallet server option corresponds to the RPC connection?