Welcome to the official documentation for Electrum XMR. This resource provides comprehensive guidance on using our wallet—from basic setup to advanced privacy features. By combining Monero’s robust cryptography with a user-friendly design, Electrum XMR empowers you to safeguard your financial autonomy with minimal effort. Whether you’re new to Monero or an experienced user seeking deeper insights, this guide has you covered.
Monero is one of the most privacy-centric cryptocurrencies available, thanks to its deployment of ring signatures, stealth addresses, and confidential transactions (RingCT). Electrum XMR seamlessly integrates these capabilities in a lightweight interface. Throughout this documentation, you’ll learn how to install and configure the wallet, verify your downloads, and optimize your privacy by running a node or even setting up Tor integration. We also include best practices for storing your wallet securely, dealing with potential issues, and fully understanding the cryptographic technologies that underpin Monero’s privacy model.
As an open-source project, Electrum XMR relies on the support and contributions of a vibrant community of developers and enthusiasts. If you’re interested in contributing or exploring the underlying code, you can easily do so by visiting our GitHub repository. We welcome pull requests, bug reports, and feature requests that help make our wallet more secure, intuitive, and robust.
The quickest way to get started with Electrum XMR is to download the official binaries from our Download page. We provide Windows, macOS, and Linux builds, each digitally signed. Please remember to verify your downloads using GPG or a checksum before executing them. This ensures that your files are legitimate and unaltered.
For users who value maximum transparency or require custom build options, consider compiling Electrum XMR from source code. While compiling might seem daunting to newcomers, it’s straightforward once you have the required environment set up. In either case, always confirm the integrity of your files by checking cryptographic signatures and cross-referencing the public key from multiple official sources.
Maintaining the privacy and security of your Monero holdings starts at the download stage. Attackers may attempt to distribute malicious versions of wallet software, so taking a few minutes to verify your downloads is essential. This basic step drastically reduces your risk of inadvertently installing compromised software.
After installation, open Electrum XMR. You can create a new wallet or restore an existing one using your recovery seed. The wallet interface is designed to be straightforward, guiding you through essential steps like naming your wallet, choosing a file location, and verifying your generated seed phrase.
By default, the wallet uses a remote node to simplify setup for new users. However, remote nodes involve trusting third parties to provide accurate blockchain data. If you’re serious about maximizing privacy and control, it’s highly recommended to operate a personal node (refer to Advanced Topics).
Sending transactions is equally intuitive: simply enter the recipient’s address, specify the amount, and optionally adjust the transaction fee. Electrum XMR provides fee estimation and integrated address support, making it easier to handle XMR payments in a variety of scenarios. The wallet also includes a basic transaction history tab, allowing you to review your sends and receives at a glance.
For users who want complete transparency or wish to modify the software, we offer an open-source repository:
git clone https://github.com/YourRepo/ElectrumXMR.git
cd ElectrumXMR
npm install
npm run build
npm start
Make sure you have the latest versions of Node.js or Yarn installed. Refer to our GitHub repo for more details on dependencies, optional plugins, and continuous integration (CI) test results. Building from source also enables you to apply personal patches, test experimental features, or participate in the development process by contributing pull requests.
While compiling, pay attention to any build warnings or dependency conflicts. These may indicate missing libraries or outdated packages that could potentially impact wallet performance. If you encounter issues, consult the Troubleshooting section or open a ticket on our GitHub for further assistance.
Monero emphasizes privacy, but verifying software integrity is equally important. Below are steps to confirm that your downloaded or compiled files are genuine and unaltered. Establishing a chain of trust protects you from malicious actors who might attempt to distribute compromised binaries.
.sig or .asc file for your release.gpg --verify ElectrumXMR-v1.6.2.exe.sig ElectrumXMR-v1.6.2.exeIf you see a “Good signature” message and the key matches our public fingerprint, your file is authentic. Always cross-reference the key fingerprint to avoid potential man-in-the-middle attacks. You can also verify checksums (e.g., SHA256) to detect any unauthorized modifications to the binary.
Taking these verification steps can save you from installing backdoored or fraudulent software. If the signature fails or does not match, do not proceed—re-download the files or report the discrepancy to our community channels. Vigilance at this stage is critical because your wallet is the gateway to your digital assets.
By operating your own node, you eliminate reliance on third parties, ensuring maximum privacy and trustlessness. When you run a local node, you store and validate the entire Monero blockchain on your machine. This process can take time—particularly during the initial sync—but once complete, you’ll enjoy total control over your transaction data and reduce potential privacy leaks associated with remote nodes.
To run a node, you’ll need enough disk space to store the blockchain (often tens of gigabytes), and a stable internet connection. Once your node is fully synced, simply configure Electrum XMR to connect to 127.0.0.1 (or the appropriate local IP if running the node on a separate machine). This ensures your wallet only communicates with your personal node, preventing any external observer from analyzing your transaction patterns.
For enhanced anonymity, you can configure Electrum XMR to route all traffic through the Tor network. Tor helps obscure your IP address when communicating with remote or peer nodes, making it significantly harder for adversaries to correlate transactions to specific internet connections. To achieve this, install and run the Tor service, then configure your wallet or node to use the SOCKS5 proxy provided by Tor (default port 9050).
Consult our blog or GitHub for OS-specific Tor configuration steps. You can also set up hidden services for your node, enabling other Tor users to connect without exposing your public IP. Keep in mind that routing through Tor may slightly impact performance and synchronization speeds, but the privacy gains are often considered worthwhile.
For long-term holding, consider storing large amounts of XMR offline (cold storage). This includes hardware wallets, paper wallets, or air-gapped devices that never connect to the internet. Cold storage dramatically reduces exposure to online threats such as phishing or remote exploits. Whenever you need to transact from cold storage, simply sign transactions offline before broadcasting them through a separate, connected device.
Multisig setups allow multiple parties or multiple devices to collectively approve transactions, adding a strong layer of security for shared or corporate funds. If one key is compromised, adversaries still can’t spend the funds without the other keys. Consult your organizational needs and risk tolerance before implementing multisig wallets, as more complexity can lead to potential misconfigurations if not set up carefully.
Another advanced topic worth exploring is the use of subaddresses. Subaddresses are unique addresses derived from your main wallet account, allowing you to receive funds without disclosing your primary public address repeatedly. This further obfuscates your financial activities and is especially beneficial for business models requiring multiple incoming transactions from different users.
1. Do I need to keep my wallet open for transactions to confirm?
No. Monero transactions confirm on the blockchain whether your wallet is open or not. However, you must open and sync your wallet to see an accurate, updated balance and transaction history. If you’re receiving funds, your wallet doesn’t have to be online, but you’ll only see the confirmed amount once you sync again.
2. Can I recover my funds if I lose my device?
Yes. Use the 25-word seed phrase (plus any optional words) you created during wallet setup. This seed is the cryptographic key to your funds. Never share this phrase, and keep it stored offline. Alternatively, you can import your wallet file on another machine, but that also requires your seed or private keys.
3. How can I report bugs or request features?
Please open an issue on our GitHub repository, or connect with the dev team and community in official channels. We welcome feedback and contributions—your input helps us refine and innovate.
4. Are transaction fees high?
Monero fees are generally moderate, often lower than Bitcoin’s, though they can fluctuate based on network congestion and transaction size. Electrum XMR includes a fee estimation feature, allowing you to manually set fees for faster confirmations or to minimize costs. Keep in mind that larger ring sizes or complex transactions can also impact fees.
5. Why is my wallet balance incorrect after receiving XMR?
Ensure your wallet is fully synchronized. If the issue persists, try rescanning the blockchain from your wallet’s settings. Occasionally, node connectivity or partial sync can cause display discrepancies. In rare cases, corrupted blockchain data may require a full re-download or re-indexing of the chain.
6. What if I want to switch between remote and local nodes?
You can toggle node settings within Electrum XMR’s preferences. If you decide to switch to a local node, ensure your local daemon is running and synced before reconnecting. This approach can significantly improve privacy but may require additional hardware resources.
7. Can Electrum XMR handle test networks or stagenet?
Yes, advanced users sometimes run local testnets or stagenet for development or learning. Simply configure your wallet to point to the corresponding testnet or stagenet node. This environment is useful for safe experimentation without risking real funds.
Most common issues are resolved by ensuring you have the latest wallet version and a reliable connection. Below are some scenarios with quick fixes. If these steps don’t solve your problem, refer to our blog for additional guidance or reach out to the community on GitHub or official forums.
If you’re using a remote node, switch to a different trusted node or run your own. For local node issues, verify you have enough disk space, stable power, and a strong internet connection. Consider pruning the blockchain if space is limited. Large ring sizes, or older hardware, can also slow synchronization.
Wait until your wallet is fully synced. If still incorrect, rescan from a specific block height or do a full blockchain rescan. Carefully check your seed phrase to confirm it matches the wallet you intended to open. Using different seeds or watch-only addresses can lead to perceived "missing" funds.
Double-check you’re using the correct GPG public key. Try redownloading the signature and release files to rule out corruption. Always cross-reference the key fingerprint with multiple official sources (project website, GitHub, social media) before concluding the signature is invalid.
Ensure your system meets the minimum requirements. Outdated drivers or security software can sometimes conflict with advanced cryptographic processes. If possible, test on a second machine to isolate hardware issues. Also, check GitHub issues for known bugs or platform-specific quirks.
In some cases, a complete reinstall can resolve persistent or unexplained issues, especially if local configurations have become corrupted. Always back up your seed phrase or wallet file before reinstalling to avoid losing access to your funds.
For deeper technical information, such as the intricacies of ring signatures, stealth addresses, and RingCT, we recommend the official Monero documentation and developer guides. Below are some quick references:
Incorporating these core features makes Monero one of the most private cryptocurrencies in existence. Electrum XMR aims to leverage these capabilities through a clean, intuitive UI. Users can also explore additional layers of privacy, such as IP obfuscation or advanced transaction tools, to further limit metadata leakage. For a more theoretical or academic perspective, consult the papers and discussions published by the Monero Research Lab.
This documentation is meant as a springboard. The Monero ecosystem is rapidly evolving, and staying informed about new developments ensures you continue to benefit from cutting-edge privacy features. Whether you’re a developer, crypto enthusiast, or just someone who values financial anonymity, Monero provides a unique opportunity to participate in a decentralized, privacy-centric future.