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1. Set your PIN

Choose a 6-digit PIN. You enter it each time you open Control Center. See PIN and lock.

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2. The introduction

A short introduction appears the first time. It shows sample data, not yours.
Introduction screen titled Your Bitcoin, in one place, with Skip and Continue buttons

The first-run introduction. Select Skip or Continue.

Introduction step titled It can see, not spend, with a sample Kraken key showing read-only permissions

Wallets are watch-only. Exchanges use read-only keys.

It covers three promises:
  • It can see, not spend. Wallets are watch-only. Exchanges need a read-only key.
  • Your data stays with you. History is saved on your device.
  • Start with one account. Have your hardware wallet, an exchange API key, or a balance ready.
Introduction step titled Start with one account, with Not Now and Add Account buttons

The last step takes you to Add Account.

Select Not Now to look around first. The introduction does not come back after you finish or skip it.

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3. Choose an Electrum server (desktop)

Control Center reads wallet balances from an Electrum server. Your choice affects privacy.
On desktop, Control Center starts on Blockstream’s public server (electrum.blockstream.info). It is saved as Current connection. Blockstream can see which addresses you check. Switch to your own server for the most privacy.
StartOS and Umbrel always use your own Electrs. Skip this step there.

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Add your server

  1. Open Settings (gear icon, top right).
  2. Under Electrum Server, select New connection.
  3. Enter a Name, Host, Port, and Protocol.
  4. Select Test Connection. Then select Save & Connect.
Electrum Server settings with the New connection form: name, start with, host, port, protocol, and Connect via Tor

Add a saved connection in Settings.

  • Port: SSL usually uses 50002. Plain TCP usually uses 50001.
  • Protocol: use SSL for any server not on your own network. TCP is not encrypted.
  • Connect via Tor: required for .onion addresses. Tor can take up to two minutes to start the first time.
Electrum connection showing a connected status

Connected.

You can save up to 5 connections. Only one is active at a time. See Settings for every option.

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4. Add your name

Open Settings. Under Personal information, enter Your name. Select Save name. It pre-fills the name on new statements.
Settings page with the statement name field

Your name on statements.

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5. Add your first account

Select Add Account on Home. Start with How accounts work.