NodeGuide / Optional reference / Privacy
Privacy Reference Guide
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Quick definitions appear when you tap technical terms during setup. This optional guide gives you more help with setup, settings, and troubleshooting.
Safety wording reviewed September 23, 2026. Reference instructions may differ by device, app and installed software version; NodeGuide does not detect your version. Check the current official instructions before making a change.
Regular internet connections
Clearnet uses the regular internet. Other Bitcoin nodes may be able to see the public internet address your node is connecting from.
Using Tor for more privacy
Tor can help hide your node’s public network location from other Bitcoin nodes. It can improve privacy, but connections may sometimes be slower.
Using I2P for more privacy
I2P is another privacy-focused network your node may use to connect to other Bitcoin nodes. Whether it is available depends on your node software.
Connections your node starts vs connections others start
Outgoing connections are started by your node. Incoming connections are started by other Bitcoin nodes. Your node can still work with outgoing connections only.
Using Tor for outgoing connections
Some node software can send its outgoing Bitcoin connections through Tor. This can help hide your public internet address from other Bitcoin nodes.
RPC privacy
RPC is used by trusted apps that connect to your node. Keep it private and do not make unrestricted RPC access available on the public internet.
Remote access
If you want to reach your node from outside your home, use a secure private connection such as a VPN instead of exposing sensitive node services directly to the internet.
Wallet privacy
Connecting a wallet to your own node can reduce how much wallet information is shared with outside servers.
Peer information and location estimates
Locations shown for other Bitcoin nodes are only estimates and may be wrong, especially when Tor, VPNs, proxies, or hosting providers are used.
Privacy tradeoffs
More privacy can sometimes mean slower connections or extra setup. Choose the privacy options that best fit your needs.
Common privacy troubleshooting
If a private connection is not working, first make sure your node is online, the privacy service is running, and your node has connections to other Bitcoin nodes. Change one setting at a time.