Remote Access to Bitcoin Node

freddie8162 · April 23, 2025, 12:08pm

Hello, I have a Bitcoin core setup and working on a Windows 11 laptop. Its not on Sart9 yet. And I am considering moving to Start 9 software and this is why. I wanted to ask the folks on here their thoughts. Not specifically looking for the solution yet. My issue is this. I have not been able to get my wallets such as Sparrow to be able to use my node to do transactions. Nor even to see my Bitcoin node except when I am on the same local network. I have made multiple tries at this and with no luck. I have opened the holes in my firewall. I have used multiple remote access solutions. But Sparrow wallet never sees the node. I can easily ping my node. But not access it. I have asked questions on the Sparrow Telegram support. But no luck. Two questions.

Is this even possible? I mean there are remote Nodes on Sparrow already.
Do I need a more robust setup such as Start9 to do this? Is it possible with Start9? Are other folks doing this here?
Maybe this is out of the scope for this forum? Should I get the Start9 support?

I would like to use all of my wallets remotely. I travel a lot. And since this is the internet. I would assume this would be a trivial problem. Maybe I am wrong.

StuPleb · April 23, 2025, 12:39pm

I’m understanding you have downloaded Bitcoin Core and installed it on Windows 11 as a Windows executable.

On something like Sparrow, you should be able to point it to Bitcoin Core (middle tab in Sparrow’s connection settings) with localhost and port 8332. Assuming this is the same Windows laptop you are taking with you, that’s all you need to do, there is no remote, always local.

If you mean you leave your Windows 11 laptop at home and what to access it from another devices on the internet (i.e. a second laptop you take with you) then you’d be opening and forwarding ports on your router.

That’s assuming I’m understand what you’ve written correctly, and assuming no gaps in my knowledge (as you know this isn’t a Windows 11 support forum).

With something like StartOS with Bitcoin running, you have an always-on Bitcoin node, which is much better than running something that you turn on and off all the time like a laptop. This way you wouldn’t need to wait for syncing for you to know what’s going on with the network and make transactions.

It also means things like electrum servers are an option, that you can run services on TOR and not have to worry about ports and firewalls, and more importantly, you can point and click your way through setting things up.

Rexter · April 23, 2025, 1:02pm

If you’d like to get a feel for what this setup would look like, you can review our documentation here:

Connecting directly to Bitcoin Core

github.com

Start9Labs/bitcoind-startos/blob/v25.0.0.3/docs/integrations/sparrow/guide.md

# Sparrow Wallet Setup Guide

You have two options for connecting Sparrow directly to Bitcoin's RPC: LAN (.local) and Tor (.onion).  LAN of course only works on the lan but is very fast, while Tor works remotely but is slow.  Switching between them is just a matter of changing .local to .onion (or vice versa) and switching the Tor proxy off or on, respectively.

If you use tor, you will need to have Tor running natively on your device in order to use Sparrow remotely.  You can find the relevant setup documentation in the Resources section at the bottom of this page.

## Configuring Sparrow to use the Bitcoin Core RPC

1. First, install the Bitcoin Core service to your Embassy from the Start9 Marketplace.

2. Configure Bitcoin Core and allow it to begin the Initial Blockchain Download if you have not already.  You may continue even if this is still in progress, but you will need to let the sync complete before creating your first transaction.  Bitcoin Core MUST have the "Enable Wallet" feature turned on.  This is found in *Bitcoin Core > Config > Wallet*.

3. Next, [download](https://sparrowwallet.com/download/), install, and launch Sparrow.  If this is the first time you have run Sparrow, you will be guided to a screen where you will be asked to configure your Bitcoin server.  Otherwise, you can find the server setup in Preferences.  Select the option for "Bitcoin Core" as the **Server** Type:

    ![Sparrow Server Setup](./assets/sparrow-server-setup2.png "Setup Your Bitcoin Server")

4. From your Embassy's Bitcoin Core service page, click "Interfaces," and copy the `LAN Address` under **RPC Interface**.  Paste this into Sparrow's "URL" field, removing the `http://` prefix, as Sparrow will not accept it.  In the "Port" field, type `443`:

    ![Sparrow Server Setup](./assets/sparrow-server-setup3.png "Enter URL & Port")

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Connecting to your own Private Electrum Server

github.com

Start9Labs/electrs-startos/blob/master/docs/integrations/sparrow/guide.md

# Sparrow Integration Setup

1. Open Sparrow and go to "File -> Preferences -> Server" or if you are running Sparrow for the first time, proceed through the introduction until the screen below. Then select "Configure Server":

   ![Configure Server](./assets/sparrow0.png)

1. On the following screen, select "Private Electrum Server":

   ![Electrum Server](./assets/sparrow1.png)

1. Enter your electrs Hostname and Port (found in StartOS's electrs service page, under "Properties"):

   ![Server Setup](./assets/sparrow2.png)

1. Click "Test Connection":

   ![Test](./assets/sparrow3.png)

1. You should see the success message below, then you may return to your wallet by pressing "Close", or proceed to "Create New Wallet" if you haven't done so yet:

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A third option, though not officially supported by Start9; a community member packaged Sparrow to run directly on the StartOS server, all be it with some limitations on functionality. It can be access remotely over Tor, using a web browser.

freddie8162 · April 23, 2025, 2:47pm

Thanks guys for the responses. Stupleb I am running a separate laptop. Like on your second paragraph description. I have opened port forwarding. I even opened all ports just for testing and the only thing that didn’t get through was Sparrow.

Rexter thanks for the docs. Yes I tried the RPC option. Maybe your third option is what I should do?

I think the missing link on my windows 11 version of Bitcoin core is I don’t have Electrum server running. Since it only runs on Linux.

I guess my question now leads to this. If I run Start9 on my laptop. And then setup Bitcoin core on it. Will I be able to run Electrum server? And access my full node remotely?

Rexter · April 23, 2025, 3:36pm

Are you talking about making your laptop a full time StartOS server?

If so, then yes. Sparrow can connect to either Bitcoin Core, or the Electrum Server running on StartOS. You can connect to either of them remotely without any port forwarding, or specific network setup. However there is client specific setup that will be needed. We have step by step guides on how to do so.

freddie8162 · April 23, 2025, 4:52pm

Yes Rexter that is exactly what I am talking about. And that is just what I need. Great I will dig into the guides. THanks so much. YOu guys have been a tremendous help.