Introduction
The Monero GUI Wallet is the official desktop client developed by the Monero Core Team. It is considered the "gold standard" for storing Monero because it supports hardware wallets (like Trezor and Ledger) and allows you to run a full node for maximum privacy.
Step-by-Step Installation
1 Step 1: Download the Installer
Visit the official GetMonero website downloads page. Ensure you are on the correct site to avoid phishing.
Select the installer for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux). Do not extract or run the file yet.
2 Verification (Advanced but Recommended)
Before using the file, you should verify it was actually signed by the Monero developers and hasn't been replaced by a hacker. You will need GPG installed on your system.
A. Import the maintainer key
Import the public key of BinaryFate (the core developer who signs releases):
curl https://raw.githubusercontent.com/monero-project/monero/master/utils/gpg_keys/binaryfate.asc | gpg --import
Verify the key fingerprint matches exactly:
81AC591FE9C4B65C5806AFC3F0AF4D462A0BDF92
B. Verify the hash list
Download the list of hashes and verify the signature:
curl https://www.getmonero.org/downloads/hashes.txt | gpg --verify
You must see a line saying: Good signature from "binaryFate...".
C. Verify your specific download
Calculate the SHA256 hash of your downloaded file. Replace filename with your actual file:
sha256sum monero-gui-linux-x64-v0.18.4.4.tar.bz2
Compare the output hash to the one listed in the hashes.txt file from step B. If they match, your download is safe.
3 Step 3: Setup - Choose Your Mode
Upon launching the GUI for the first time, you will be asked to choose a mode. This is a crucial step:
- Simple Mode: Best for beginners. It connects to a remote node so you don't have to download the blockchain. It is fast but slightly less private.
- Simple Mode (Bootstrap): Connects to a remote node while downloading the blockchain in the background.
- Advanced Mode: Best for power users. Allows you to run a full node, giving you maximum privacy and helping the network, but requires significant storage space (100GB+).
4 Step 4: Create Wallet & Save Seed
Click Create a new wallet. You will be presented with your 25-word mnemonic seed.
Write this seed down on paper immediately. If your computer crashes or you forget your password, this seed is the ONLY way to recover your money.
5 Step 5: Synchronization
Once the wallet opens, look at the bottom left corner. You will see synchronization bars.
- Wallet blocks remaining: Scanning for your specific transactions.
- Daemon blocks remaining: Syncing with the network (if running a local node).
Wait for both bars to be fully filled before you attempt to send transactions.
Related Articles
Check out these other Monero wallet guides:
Conclusion
The Monero GUI is a powerful tool that gives you full control over your financial privacy. By running your own node or connecting securely to remote nodes, you ensure that your transactions remain censorship-resistant and private.
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