Subject: Inquiries about Blue Wallet Compatibility and Exporting xpub for Dual Watch-Only Wallets

Lloyd · December 18, 2023, 6:59pm

Hello there,

I’ve a couple questions. First, is it true my blue wallet (watch only on Iphone) will not connect to the electrum server installed on my Start9?

If it does not, is there any problem exporting the same xpub to two different wallets, so that I have, in effect, two watch only wallets? I don’t see a problem there, but maybe I’m missing something.

Thanks in advance for your help

George · December 18, 2023, 11:01pm

Here’s our guide for BlueWallet:

github.com

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

# BlueWallet Integration Setup

You will need to be running Tor on your iOS or Android device. Find guides to set this up here:

https://start9.com/latest/user-manual/connecting/connecting-tor/tor-os/index

_NOTE_: The macOS release of BlueWallet cannot connect to a Tor service and is therefore not supported.

1. Select the Settings 'kebab' / ellipsis menu at the top right of the app

1. Select `Network`

1. Select `Electrum Server`

1. Fill in your electrs `Hostname` from the StartOS `Services -> electrs -> Properties` page, to BlueWallet's host field

1. Fill in your electrs `Port` from the StartOS `Services -> electrs -> Properties` page, to BlueWallet's port field. 50001 is electrs' default port.

1. Select 'Save'

At the moment, though, iOS has broken Orbot. We don’t have a solution until a new Orbot comes out for iOS, which could be a while. Typically, when this happens (and it does, periodically), an Orbot fix is released shortly thereafter. It’s possible they just broke it for good, though, as currently, even a couple weeks later, there is still no fix for Orbot. Right now you should be able to get to most of your services web interface via “OnionBrowser”, but afaik right now there is still no solution for services like electrs in Wallets on iOS.

Lloyd · December 18, 2023, 11:10pm

Thank you for the reply! So are you saying that no wallets on iOS can connect to electrum?

George · December 18, 2023, 11:32pm

Correct, unfortunately(!) at this time, until Orbot finds a way around Apple’s latest sabotage.

If you want to reach electrs locally (only on lan, via .local), you can do this:
echo "/usr/bin/apt update && /usr/bin/apt install -y socat && socat tcp-l:50001,su=nobody,fork,reuseaddr tcp:electrs.embassy:50001 &" >> /media/embassy/config/postinit.sh
That executes a socat forwarder to the electrs container for inbound connections to your server on port 50001 at every boot of the server.

This will allow electrs from lan connections to your unique adjective-noun.local:50001

mccutch1 · February 16, 2024, 3:32pm

Orbot for iOS seems to be working at the moment. I have a couple of watch only wallets on BlueWallet that are successfully connecting to electrs on my DIY Start9 box.

Rick · February 17, 2024, 9:13pm

My Orbot on IOS still won’t connect. It has been broken for sometime and that seems to generally be the case for most. What version of IOS are you using?

mccutch1 · February 17, 2024, 9:35pm

17.2.1 is my current version

mccutch1 · February 17, 2024, 9:37pm

Rick · February 17, 2024, 9:41pm

Cool. I guess you are just blessed and highly favored

Rick · February 17, 2024, 9:45pm

Did you change any of your settings. i.e. choose how to connect. I have direct connection, but I notice there are several options in the dropdown. Did you select something other than the default?

mccutch1 · February 18, 2024, 1:40am

Just direct connected with no alterations to settings.