Electrum

Table of contents

  1. Overview
  2. Install the latest version of Electrum
  3. Update Electrum configuration file (optional)
  4. How to use it
  5. Backup your wallet
  6. Remove the latest version of Electrum

Overview

Electrum is an open-source, secure, versatile Bitcoin wallet, known for its speed and simplicity.

Electrum Bitcoin Wallet comes pre-installed on Tails, however it is not the latest version. This guide can be used to add the latest Electrum version.

electrum.png

Install the latest version of Electrum

  • Configure the Persistent Storage to have Electrum Bitcoin Wallet feature turned on:
    • Choose Applications ▸ System Tools ▸ Persistent Storage
    • Turn on Electrum Bitcoin Wallet feature
    • Close Persistent Storage window

  • Open a Terminal window: choose Applications ▸ Utilities ▸ Terminal

  • Clone Run-on-Tails GitHub repository: 
    $ cd ~/Downloads
$ git clone https://github.com/dutu/run-on-tails.git
  • Setup Electrum: 
    $ chmod +x ./run-on-tails/electrum/setup-installation.sh 
$ ./run-on-tails/electrum/setup-installation.sh
    • Wait for the message Electrum installation setup completed successfully.

Update Electrum configuration file (optional)

  • Edit Electrum config file: 
    $ sudo nano ~/.electrum/config

Example of the parameters can be added/updated:

  • "server" -> Specify your own Electrum server address
  • "oneserver": true -> connect to one Electrum server only (it works together with parameter server).
  • "auto_connect": false -> stick with current server even if it is lagging. When true, every time the Electrum client receives a block header from any server, it checks if the current server is lagging, and if so, it switches to one that has the best block. “lagging” is defined to be missing at least two blocks.

Example of a valid config file:

  {
    "auto_connect": false,
    "check_updates": false,
    "config_version": 3,
    "decimal_point": 8,
    "fee_level": 3,
    "fiat_address": true,
    "history_rates": true,
    "is_maximized": false,
    "oneserver": true,
    "proxy": "socks5:localhost:9050",
    "qt_gui_color_theme": "dark",
    "server": "g4ishflgsssw5diuklqsgdb5ppsz5t2sxevysqtfpj27o5xnjbzit4qd.onion:50002:s",
    "show_addresses_tab": true,
    "show_channels_tab": true,
    "use_exchange": "Kraken",
    "use_exchange_rate": true
  }

How to use it

  • Choose Applications ▸ Other ▸ Electrum

Backup your wallet

  • While Electrum is closed, copy your Electrum wallet directory located at /home/amnesia/.electrum/wallets to a backup location.

Remove the latest version of Electrum

  • Open a Terminal window: choose Applications ▸ Utilities ▸ Terminal

  • Remove Electrum application files:

    $ rm -fr /home/amnesia/Persistent/electrum
$ rm -f /live/persistence/TailsData_unlocked/dotfiles/.local/share/applications/electrum.desktop

Electrum wallet directory located at /home/amnesia/.electrum/wallets is not deleted.