Revision as of 08:35, 28 January 2025

To use Bisq, you must first download and install it. Most exchanges are centralized exchanges running on servers controlled by the exchange. Bisq is decentralized, running only on the desktops of Bisq users.

Bisq manages offers to trade using a peer-to-peer network. This is a global network made of users who are also running Bisq on their own computers.

Centralized services are easy to monitor, block, and shut down, while peer-to-peer networks like BitTorrent, Bitcoin and Bisq are difficult to surveil, censor, shut down or hack.

All of this means that if you want to use the Bisq network, you must download and run the software on your own machine.

Download Bisq

The most convenient way to install Bisq on your machine is from a pre-built install file from the Bisq website or latest GitHub release.

There's also a community-maintained Snap package for various Linux distributions.

	See install notes for various Linux distributions below.

You can download the installer for your operating system and install Bisq right away, but we strongly recommend that you verify the integrity of your installer file first.

If you have issues, please check the Known issues with installation section in release notes.

Verify installer file

Bisq2 specific instructions

Bisq2 can be downloaded here. Before installing software that manages your funds, you should always verify the installer has not been tampered with, to avoid the risk of losing funds due to a compromised download.

Usually, installation binaries are signed by Alejandro García (key ID: E222AA02, primary release manager). However, since this key has expired — and the expired key was included in previous versions of the Bisq2 app — the in-app verification process would fail when attempting to download version 2.1.2. To prevent this issue, the secondary release manager assumed responsibility for signing that release. The signingkey.asc file specifies the key used for signing the binaries.

HenrikJannsen's signing key can be downloaded here (full fingerprint: B8A5 D214 ADFA A387 A14C 8BCF 02AA 2BAE 387C 8307).

To import the key in Linux and MacOS:

curl https://bisq.network/pubkey/387C8307.asc | gpg --import

GPG will return "This key is not certified with a trusted signature!", this is normal (see https://serverfault.com/questions/569911/how-to-verify-an-imported-gpg-key for background information what it means)

To verify the installer against the signature:

gpg --digest-algo SHA256 --verify BINARY{.asc*,}

Replace BINARY with the name of the file you downloaded.

In Windows. you can import the key, and subsequently verify the installer, by using Kleopatra.

Any software that manages funds, signs transactions, and deals with highly sensitive data is a prime target for malware. Bisq does all three. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you verify the integrity of the installer file you use to install Bisq.

This verification is something that you should do for the initial Bisq install. After the initial install, you will be prompted to install updates through Bisq's interface. The Bisq software will verify the integrity of updates for you.

Bisq installer files are currently built and signed by Alejandro Garcia (alejandrogarcia83). His public key ID is E222AA02 and fingerprint is B493 3191 06CC 3D1F 252E 19CB F806 F422 E222 AA02, which you can verify through commits on GitHub.

The full public key is available here on the Bisq website.

Bisq 1: Obtain signature files for installer files

All Bisq releases are cryptographically signed by its maintainer. Users can ensure that nobody tampered with the release by verifying its signatures. It’s recommended to download the GPG key from an independent keyserver (such as keys.openpgp.org or keyserver.ubuntu.com to ensure that no adversary replaced the GPG keys and signatures on the release server.

Bisq 1 releases are signed either by Alejandro García (alejandrogarcia83) or Gabriel Bernard (gabernard). Here are the public key ids and fingerprints of both keys:

Alejandro García (public key id 0xF806F422E222AA02): B493 3191 06CC 3D1F 252E 19CB F806 F422 E222 AA02 Gabriel Bernard (public key id 0x6C8D14D84A133008): 1655 3BA9 2694 95EE 53BB A33A 6C8D 14D8 4A13 3008

Windows

Download and install Gpg4win

Windows does not come with GPG software installed by default, so you will need to install it in order to verify Bisq’s installer files. You can get Gpg4win here. Double-click the installer file and proceed to install with all default settings.

Import Alejandro García’s key

Open Kleopatra (part of Gpg4win) and click on “Lookup on Server”. {Image 1}

Next type into the search field alejandro.garcia@disroot.org and press on search. You’ll see the following output: {Image 2}

Press on “Details…” to see the key’s fingerprint and confirm that it is correct. {Image 3}

After verifying that the fingerprint is correct, press on “Close” and press on “Import” to import the key.

Verify the signature of the binary you downloaded

With the install-file.exe and signature-file.exe.asc in the same directory, double-click on the .exe.asc file.

You should see a Kleopatra window pop up with a green progress bar that says “Verified .exe with .exe.asc”. The program will continue to say “The data could not be verified” in bold but you can disregard that message.

This means the installer file we downloaded is intact and as intended. You can proceed to install Bisq by double-clicking the .exe file.

Mac and Linux

Import Alejandro García’s key

To import Alejandro García’s open a terminal and run:

gpg --receive-keys 0xF806F422E222AA02

Next you need to verify key’s fingerprint and tell GPG to trust the key. First run:

gpg --edit-key 0xF806F422E222AA02

Then type:

fpr

Now ensure that you see the same output as here:

gpg> fpr
pub   rsa4096/0xF806F422E222AA02 2022-09-28 Alejandro García <alejandro.garcia@disroot.org>
 Primary key fingerprint: B493 3191 06CC 3D1F 252E  19CB F806 F422 E222 AA02

If the fingerprint matches you can trust the key. To trust the key type:

trust

Now you’ll see following output:

gpg> trust
pub  rsa4096/0xF806F422E222AA02
     created: 2022-09-28  expires: 2026-10-03  usage: SC  
     trust: unknown       validity: unknown
sub  rsa4096/0xE7F08D07C72561D0
     created: 2022-09-28  expires: 2026-10-03  usage: E   
[ unknown] (1). Alejandro García <alejandro.garcia@disroot.org>

Please decide how far you trust this user to correctly verify other users' keys
(by looking at passports, checking fingerprints from different sources, etc.)

  1 = I don't know or won't say
  2 = I do NOT trust
  3 = I trust marginally
  4 = I trust fully
  5 = I trust ultimately
  m = back to the main menu

Your decision?

Type 5 to trust to the key and you’ll see following output:

Do you really want to set this key to ultimate trust? (y/N)

Now type y to confirm. Now you can quit by typing quit.

Verify the signature of the binary you downloaded

With the installer file and installer signature file in the same directory, run:

gpg --verify INSTALLER.asc INSTALLER

Where INSTALLER.asc is the filename of the .asc file you just downloaded.

You should see an output similar to this:

gpg: Signature made Fri 22 Nov 2024 07:42:50 PM UTC
gpg:                using RSA key B493319106CC3D1F252E19CBF806F422E222AA02
gpg: checking the trustdb
gpg: marginals needed: 3  completes needed: 1  trust model: pgp
gpg: depth: 0  valid:   1  signed:   0  trust: 0-, 0q, 0n, 0m, 0f, 1u
gpg: next trustdb check due at 2026-10-03
gpg: Good signature from "Alejandro García <alejandro.garcia@disroot.org>" [ultimate]

Build from source

Building Bisq from source requires only a single command once you have the correct JDK installed on your machine.

Finding and installing the correct JDK can sometimes be frustrating, so Bisq's developers have written scripts to make it easier:

OS-specific install notes

macOS

Starting with version v1.9.6, we remove notarization from our build pipeline because of of the risk of Apple certification revocation (see https://github.com/bisq-network/bisq/discussions/6341). Unfortunately this will require extra steps when installing Bisq on macOS.

You will receive an error popup saying that Bisq is damaged and can't be opened. You should move it to the Trash.

Please follow the guide at https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202491 in the section If you want to open an app that hasn’t been notarized or is from an unidentified developer

If you are running already macOS Ventura (13.0+) you need to do following to be able to start Bisq:

enter following command in Apple Terminal sudo xattr -rd com.apple.quarantine /Applications/Bisq.app
hit enter and you will be prompted to enter your password to be able to execute the command as super user

After running this successfully you should be able to start Bisq as always.

If this procedure still does not allow you to install Bisq, a last resort workaround is to install Bisq in a Linux Virtual Machine running on your system.

Windows

Starting with version v1.9.6, we remove the developer code signing because of the same reason as with Apple.

For Windows you just have to ignore the warning after you have verified the installation file yourself and proceed with the installation.

Linux (General)

Bisq works with a number of Linux distros, but not all desktop environments are supported.

These are all known compatible desktop environments. This is a growing list. If you find another compatible desktop, please inform us so it can be added.

GNOME
Mate
Xfce
KDE Plasma
Cinnamon

Bisq might not work properly if you switch from the original desktop environment of your Linux distribution to a different one.

Note: users with discrete GPUs may encounter issues launching Bisq in some desktop environments.

Arch Linux

The Bisq downloads page includes a link to the Arch User Repository (AUR) page for the bisq package.

From the command line, clone the repository from AUR.
Then from the cloned directory, run makepkg -si. This will read the PKGBUILD file to download, verify, build, and install the various tools necessary to install Bisq.

If the version found on AUR is not up to date, you can read Fix_Arch_release.

Please be advised: when you're using AUR, you're responsible for your own safety. Be sure to verify the PKGBUILD file.

Gentoo

Use eselect repository enable booboo to use the 'booboo' overlay which carries the binaries, and then emerge bisq

Tails

Please see Running Bisq on Tails for details on downloading, installing, and configuring Bisq on Tails.

Qubes

Please see Running Bisq on Qubes for a detailed Qubes setup guide.

Update Bisq

Installing a new Bisq version will update Bisq. More details at Updating Bisq.

@@ Line 51: / Line 51: @@
 The full public key is available [https://bisq.network/pubkey/E222AA02.asc here on the Bisq website].
-=== Bisq1: Obtain signature files for installer files ===
+<span id="bisq-1-obtain-signature-files-for-installer-files"></span>
+= Bisq 1: Obtain signature files for installer files =
-To verify your installer file is intact and as the developer intended, you will need the PGP signature file corresponding to the installer file you downloaded.
+All Bisq releases are cryptographically signed by its maintainer. Users can ensure that nobody tampered with the release by verifying its signatures. It’s recommended to download the GPG key from an independent keyserver (such as [https://keys.openpgp.org/ keys.openpgp.org] or [https://keyserver.ubuntu.com/ keyserver.ubuntu.com] to ensure that no adversary replaced the GPG keys and signatures on the release server.
-On the [https://bisq.network/downloads/ Bisq website's download page], download the PGP signature file for the installer file you downloaded before.
+Bisq 1 releases are signed either by Alejandro García (alejandrogarcia83) or Gabriel Bernard (gabernard). Here are the public key ids and fingerprints of both keys:
-If you prefer to download from GitHub, you will see the <code>.asc</code> file for your installer in the assets section [https://github.com/bisq-network/bisq/releases/latest of the release] along with the installer file itself.
+Alejandro García (public key id <code>0xF806F422E222AA02</code>): <code>B493 3191 06CC 3D1F 252E  19CB F806 F422 E222 AA02</code> Gabriel Bernard (public key id <code>0x6C8D14D84A133008</code>): <code>1655 3BA9 2694 95EE 53BB  A33A 6C8D 14D8 4A13 3008</code>
-In either case, the filename for the <code>.asc</code> you download should be identical to the filename for the installer file, just with <code>.asc</code> appended (e.g., signature file for <code>Bisq-1.2.7.dmg</code> would be <code>Bisq-1.2.7.dmg.asc</code>).
+<span id="windows"></span>
+== Windows ==
-Once you've got the installer file and its corresponding signature file, proceed to the directions for your operating system below.
+<span id="download-and-install-gpg4win"></span>
+=== Download and install Gpg4win ===
-=== Windows ===
+Windows does not come with GPG software installed by default, so you will need to install it in order to verify Bisq’s installer files. You can get Gpg4win [https://www.gpg4win.org/ here]. Double-click the installer file and proceed to install with all default settings.
-Once you have downloaded the installer file and corresponding signature file:
+<span id="import-alejandro-garcías-key"></span>
+=== Import Alejandro García’s key ===
-'''Download alejandrogarcia83 public key'''
+Open Kleopatra (part of Gpg4win) and click on “Lookup on Server”. {Image 1}
-Download alejandrogarcia83 public key [https://bisq.network/pubkey/E222AA02.asc here on the Bisq website].
+Next type into the search field <code>alejandro.garcia@disroot.org</code> and press on search. You’ll see the following output: {Image 2}
-'''Download and install Gpg4win'''
+Press on “Details…” to see the key’s fingerprint and confirm that it is correct. {Image 3}
-Windows does not come with GPG software installed by default, so you will need to install it in order to verify Bisq's installer files.
+After verifying that the fingerprint is correct, press on “Close” and press on “Import” to import the key.
-You can get Gpg4win [https://www.gpg4win.org/ here].
+<span id="verify-the-signature-of-the-binary-you-downloaded"></span>
+=== Verify the signature of the binary you downloaded ===
-Double-click the installer file and proceed to install with all default settings.
+With the <code>install-file.exe</code> and <code>signature-file.exe.asc</code> in the same directory, double-click on the <code>.exe.asc</code> file.
-'''Import alejandrogarcia83's public key'''
-In Kleopatra, import alejandrogarcia's public key file <code>E222AA02.asc</code>. Select ''No'' if asked to mark the certificate as valid.
-'''Verify the signature of the binary you downloaded'''
+You should see a Kleopatra window pop up with a green progress bar that says “Verified .exe with .exe.asc”. The program will continue to say “The data could not be verified” in bold but you can disregard that message.
-With the <code>install-file.exe</code> and <code>signature-file.exe.asc</code> in the same directory, double-click on the <code>.exe.asc</code> file.
+This means the installer file we downloaded is intact and as intended. You can proceed to install Bisq by double-clicking the .exe file.
-You should see a Kleopatra window pop up with a green progress bar that says "Verified .exe with .exe.asc". The program will continue to say "The data could not be verified" in bold but you can disregard that message.
+<span id="mac-and-linux"></span>
+== Mac and Linux ==
-This means the installer file we downloaded is intact and as intended. You can proceed to install Bisq by double-clicking the <code>.exe</code> file.
+<span id="import-alejandro-garcías-key-1"></span>
+=== Import Alejandro García’s key ===
-=== macOS and Linux ===
+To import Alejandro García’s open a terminal and run:
-Once you've downloaded the installer file and corresponding signature file:
+<pre>gpg --receive-keys 0xF806F422E222AA02</pre>
+Next you need to verify key’s fingerprint and tell GPG to trust the key. First run:
-'''Import alejandrogarcia83's public key'''
+<pre>gpg --edit-key 0xF806F422E222AA02</pre>
+Then type:
-Run:
+<pre>fpr</pre>
+Now ensure that you see the same output as here:
- <nowiki>curl https://bisq.network/pubkey/E222AA02.asc | gpg --import</nowiki>
+<pre>gpg&gt; fpr
+pub   rsa4096/0xF806F422E222AA02 2022-09-28 Alejandro García &lt;alejandro.garcia@disroot.org&gt;
+ Primary key fingerprint: B493 3191 06CC 3D1F 252E  19CB F806 F422 E222 AA02</pre>
+If the fingerprint matches you can trust the key. To trust the key type:
-You might see an ominous sounding warning along the lines of "This key is not certified with a trusted signature". This basically means that none of the public keys on your machine have signed the key you just imported. It also means that you have not explicitly indicated you trust this key yourself. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but please see more about what this means [https://serverfault.com/a/569923 here]. In short, you can verify the integrity of this key by [[ #Verify installer file | cross-referencing ajejandrogarcia83's Bisq commit signatures]].
+<pre>trust</pre>
+Now you’ll see following output:
-'''Verify the signature of the binary you downloaded'''
+<pre>gpg&gt; trust
+pub  rsa4096/0xF806F422E222AA02
+     created: 2022-09-28  expires: 2026-10-03  usage: SC
+     trust: unknown       validity: unknown
+sub  rsa4096/0xE7F08D07C72561D0
+     created: 2022-09-28  expires: 2026-10-03  usage: E
+[ unknown] (1). Alejandro García &lt;alejandro.garcia@disroot.org&gt;
-If you are not familiar with GPG (a free open source version of PGP) you probably need to install GPG command line tools first.
+Please decide how far you trust this user to correctly verify other users' keys
-Following instructions are taken from https://blog.ghostinthemachines.com/2015/03/01/how-to-use-gpg-command-line.
+(by looking at passports, checking fingerprints from different sources, etc.)
-The easiest way to install the GPG command line tools on your Mac is to first install Homebrew, a package management system that makes thousands of software packages available for install on your Mac.
+= I don't know or won't say
+= I do NOT trust
+= I trust marginally
+= I trust fully
+= I trust ultimately
+  m = back to the main menu
-Open a Terminal window (Applications > Utilities menu), then enter the following command.
+Your decision?</pre>
+Type <code>5</code> to trust to the key and you’ll see following output:
- <nowiki>ruby -e "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/master/install)" </nowiki>
+<pre>Do you really want to set this key to ultimate trust? (y/N) </pre>
+Now type <code>y</code> to confirm. Now you can quit by typing <code>quit</code>.
-When that’s complete, install the GPG software package with the following command.
+<span id="verify-the-signature-of-the-binary-you-downloaded-1"></span>
- <nowiki>brew install gnupg </nowiki>
+=== Verify the signature of the binary you downloaded ===
 With the installer file and installer signature file in the same directory, run:
- <nowiki>gpg --digest-algo SHA256 --verify SIGNATURE-FILE.asc </nowiki>
+<pre>gpg --verify INSTALLER.asc INSTALLER</pre>
+Where <code>INSTALLER.asc</code> is the filename of the <code>.asc</code> file you just downloaded.
-Where <code>SIGNATURE-FILE.asc</code> is the filename of the <code>.asc</code> file you just downloaded.
-'''Common errors'''
- gpg: directory '/Users/bisq/.gnupg' created
- gpg: keybox '/Users/bisq/.gnupg/pubring.kbx' created
- gpg: can't open 'SIGNATURE-FILE.asc': No such file or directory
- gpg: verify signatures failed: No such file or directory
-In this case, you haven't replaced <code>SIGNATURE-FILE.asc</code> with the actual signature file you want to use e.g. <code>Bisq-1.6.4.dmg.asc</code>
- gpg: can't open 'Bisq-1.6.4.dmg.asc': No such file or directory
-In this case, you either haven't downloaded the signature file already or you are not in the correct directory. You can run <code>pwd</code> to see the path you are in.
-If you want to switch to the directory, where the downloaded files are you can use the [https://www.git-tower.com/learn/git/ebook/en/command-line/appendix/command-line-101/#:~:text=It%20will%20return%20the%20path,%24%20cd%20.. `cd` command] and switch to the correct directory by typing e.g. <code>cd ~/Downloads</code>(switching to the download directory on macOS). To list all files in the current directory you can enter <code>ls -la</code> in your console.
- gpg: assuming signed data in 'Bisq-1.6.4.dmg'
- gpg: Signature made Thu May  6 13:32:43 2021 EDT
- gpg:                using RSA key B493319106CC3D1F252E19CBF806F422E222AA02
- gpg:                issuer "alejandro.garcia@disroot.org"
- gpg: Can't check signature: No public key</nowiki>
-In this case, you have not imported the public key successfully. Please follow the guide above on how to import the public key for verification.
-'''Successful verification'''
-You should see output that looks something like:
+You should see an output similar to this:
- gpg: Signature made Thu 13 Feb 2020 01:38:03 PM EST
+<pre>gpg: Signature made Fri 22 Nov 2024 07:42:50 PM UTC
- gpg:                using RSA key B493319106CC3D1F252E19CBF806F422E222AA02
+gpg:                using RSA key B493319106CC3D1F252E19CBF806F422E222AA02
-  gpg:                issuer ...
+gpg: checking the trustdb
- gpg: Good signature from "Alejandro García <alejandro.garcia@disroot.org>"
+gpg: marginals needed: 3  completes needed: 1  trust model: pgp
+gpg: depth: 0  valid:   1  signed:   0  trust: 0-, 0q, 0n, 0m, 0f, 1u
+gpg: next trustdb check due at 2026-10-03
+gpg: Good signature from &quot;Alejandro García &lt;alejandro.garcia@disroot.org&gt;&quot; [ultimate]</pre>
-Great, this means the installer file we downloaded is intact and as intended.
 == Build from source ==

Difference between revisions of "Downloading and installing"

Revision as of 08:35, 28 January 2025

Contents

Download Bisq

Verify installer file

Bisq2 specific instructions

Bisq 1: Obtain signature files for installer files

Windows

Download and install Gpg4win

Import Alejandro García’s key

Verify the signature of the binary you downloaded

Mac and Linux

Import Alejandro García’s key

Verify the signature of the binary you downloaded

Build from source

OS-specific install notes

macOS

Windows

Linux (General)

Arch Linux

Gentoo

Tails

Qubes

Update Bisq

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