Difference between revisions of "Changing your onion address"

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(Update & clarify guide: Remove outdated Tor v2 deprecation info; focus on privacy motivation; improve warnings (open trades/disputes); clarify backup/generation steps & resource usage; enhance flow; add relevant internal links.)
 
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You may want to '''change your onion address''' from time to time for privacy. If your Bisq instance still uses Tor v2, you will want to change your onion address so it uses Tor v3 before Tor v2 becomes unsupported in July 2021.
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You may want to '''generate a new Tor onion address''' for your Bisq instance from time to time, primarily as a privacy-enhancing measure. Bisq automatically uses modern Tor v3 addresses (long, 56-character strings). This guide explains the process for forcing Bisq to create a new one.
  
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Note that this article is about the Tor address that your Bisq instance itself uses. This is different from the Tor address of ''other'' hidden services that Bisq connects to, such as Bitcoin nodes. Connecting to Bitcoin nodes running Tor v3 is not supported yet, because bitcoinj doesn't support it yet, but [https://github.com/bitcoinj/bitcoinj/issues/2067 work is underway to enable it].
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'''Note:''' This process changes the onion address your specific Bisq application uses to connect to the Bisq network (peers). It is different from, and does not affect, the Tor addresses of external services Bisq might connect to (like public [[Connecting to your own Bitcoin node|Bitcoin nodes]]).
  
 
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== Things to consider beforehand ==
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== Important Considerations Before Changing ==
  
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'''If you have any open trades or open disputes, do not change your onion address.''' Doing so will make you unreachable, and thus incapable of ever completing those items and losing funds.
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'''CRITICAL WARNING: Do NOT change your onion address if you have any open trades or [[Dispute_Resolution_in_Bisq_1|open disputes]].''' Doing so will make your Bisq instance unreachable by your peers in those specific contexts. You will be unable to complete those trades or disputes, likely resulting in loss of funds (security deposits or trade amounts).
  
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It is fine to have open offers, as Bisq will adjust your offers to become available with the new onion address upon starting up.
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* '''Open offers are OK:''' If you only have open *offers* (not accepted trades), it is safe to proceed. Bisq will automatically update your offers with the new onion address when it restarts.
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* '''Backup Importance:''' This procedure involves deleting a folder. [[Backing up application data|Backing up]] your '''entire Bisq [[data directory]]''' beforehand is strongly recommended. At a minimum, ensure the `hiddenservice` folder within the Tor directory is backed up (see steps below). This [[Backing up application data|backup]] allows you to revert to your old address if absolutely necessary (e.g., an unexpected issue arises with a recently completed trade requiring dispute).
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* '''Local Reputation Reset:''' {{Admonition_Note|Changing your onion address will clear your [[local reputation]], as this reputation is tied to your address.}}
  
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This is also why it's so important to back up your <code>hiddenservice</code> folder—it will allow you to revert to your old onion address ''just in case'' you need to re-open a dispute.
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== Checking Your Current Onion Address ==
  
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{{Admonition_Note|Also take note that changing your onion address will clear your [[local reputation]], since local reputation is based on onion address.}}
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You can verify your current Bisq onion address type:
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1. Go to `Settings` > `Network Info`.
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2. Scroll down to the "Bisq network" section.
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3. Your address will be displayed. A modern Tor v3 address is a 56-character string. (Older, now deprecated, v2 addresses were 16 characters).
  
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== Determine which Tor version Bisq is running ==
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[[File:Tor-which-version.png|600px|thumb|left|Check your current onion address under Settings > Network Info.]]
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<div style="clear: both;"></div>
  
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If you're interested in upgrading your onion address to a Tor v3 address, but not sure which version your Bisq instance is currently running, you can check by going to <code>Settings</code> > <code>Network Info</code>. Scroll down to the section titled "Bisq network", and there you'll see your onion address.
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== Step 1: Back Up Your `hiddenservice` Directory ==
  
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If it's a long 56-character string, then your Bisq instance is already using Tor v3. If it's a shorter 16-character string, then your Bisq instance is still using Tor v2 and should be upgraded.
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'''Before proceeding, ensure Bisq is completely closed.'''
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[[File:Tor-which-version.png|600px|thumb|left|Check which Tor version your Bisq instance is running.]]
 
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<div style="clear: both;"></div>
 
  
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== Back up your hiddenservice directory ==
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Navigate to your [[data directory]]. Find the Tor folder within it, relevant to your operating system and network (e.g., `btc_mainnet/tor/`).
  
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'''Make sure to back up your Bisq data directory before changing your onion address.'''
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'''Create a safe [[Backing up application data|backup copy]]''' of the entire `hiddenservice` folder found inside that Tor directory. This folder contains the private keys for your current onion address.
  
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At the very least, make sure the <code>btc_mainnet/tor/hiddenservice</code> directory is backed up, since changing your onion address requires deleting that folder.
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== Step 2: Generate the New Onion Address ==
  
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== Change your Bisq instance's onion address ==
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With Bisq still closed and the `hiddenservice` folder safely backed up:
  
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With all the preparatory considerations out of the way, actually changing your Bisq instance's onion address is very easy.
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1.  '''Delete''' the original `hiddenservice` folder from your Bisq [[data directory]] (the one inside `btc_mainnet/tor/` or similar).
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2.  '''Restart Bisq.'''
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3.  '''Be Patient:''' When Bisq restarts after the `hiddenservice` folder is deleted, it needs to generate new Tor keys and register the new v3 address.
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    * This process can take '''up to 10 minutes'''.
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    * It is '''resource-intensive''' (uses significant RAM). Close other demanding applications beforehand.
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    * Bisq '''may appear unresponsive''' during this time. Do not force quit; let it run.
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4.  Once the process completes, Bisq will start normally, and you will have a new Tor v3 onion address. You can verify it under `Settings > Network Info`.
  
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With Bisq closed, simply delete the <code>hiddenservice</code> folder in your [[data directory]]. Then start restart Bisq. During the next restart Bisq will create a new <code>hiddenservice</code> folder with new keys and a new Tor v3 onion address. This process using a lots of RAM so close down other applications before starting. It might take up to 10 mins and Bisq might be unresponsive during this process, but be patient and leave it running. Once complete you will have a new Tor v3 onion address!
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Remember to create new [[Backing up application data|backups]] that include your new `hiddenservice` folder.

Latest revision as of 16:14, 15 April 2025

You may want to generate a new Tor onion address for your Bisq instance from time to time, primarily as a privacy-enhancing measure. Bisq automatically uses modern Tor v3 addresses (long, 56-character strings). This guide explains the process for forcing Bisq to create a new one.

Note: This process changes the onion address your specific Bisq application uses to connect to the Bisq network (peers). It is different from, and does not affect, the Tor addresses of external services Bisq might connect to (like public Bitcoin nodes).

Important Considerations Before Changing

CRITICAL WARNING: Do NOT change your onion address if you have any open trades or open disputes. Doing so will make your Bisq instance unreachable by your peers in those specific contexts. You will be unable to complete those trades or disputes, likely resulting in loss of funds (security deposits or trade amounts).

  • Open offers are OK: If you only have open *offers* (not accepted trades), it is safe to proceed. Bisq will automatically update your offers with the new onion address when it restarts.
  • Backup Importance: This procedure involves deleting a folder. Backing up your entire Bisq data directory beforehand is strongly recommended. At a minimum, ensure the `hiddenservice` folder within the Tor directory is backed up (see steps below). This backup allows you to revert to your old address if absolutely necessary (e.g., an unexpected issue arises with a recently completed trade requiring dispute).
  • Local Reputation Reset:
Note
 Changing your onion address will clear your local reputation, as this reputation is tied to your address.

Checking Your Current Onion Address

You can verify your current Bisq onion address type: 1. Go to `Settings` > `Network Info`. 2. Scroll down to the "Bisq network" section. 3. Your address will be displayed. A modern Tor v3 address is a 56-character string. (Older, now deprecated, v2 addresses were 16 characters).

Check your current onion address under Settings > Network Info.

Step 1: Back Up Your `hiddenservice` Directory

Before proceeding, ensure Bisq is completely closed.

Navigate to your data directory. Find the Tor folder within it, relevant to your operating system and network (e.g., `btc_mainnet/tor/`).

Create a safe backup copy of the entire `hiddenservice` folder found inside that Tor directory. This folder contains the private keys for your current onion address.

Step 2: Generate the New Onion Address

With Bisq still closed and the `hiddenservice` folder safely backed up:

1. Delete the original `hiddenservice` folder from your Bisq data directory (the one inside `btc_mainnet/tor/` or similar). 2. Restart Bisq. 3. Be Patient: When Bisq restarts after the `hiddenservice` folder is deleted, it needs to generate new Tor keys and register the new v3 address. 

   * This process can take up to 10 minutes.
   * It is resource-intensive (uses significant RAM). Close other demanding applications beforehand.
   * Bisq may appear unresponsive during this time. Do not force quit; let it run.

4. Once the process completes, Bisq will start normally, and you will have a new Tor v3 onion address. You can verify it under `Settings > Network Info`.

Remember to create new backups that include your new `hiddenservice` folder.

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