Electrum has been a go-to lightweight Bitcoin and Lightning wallet for years, offering fast and secure transactions across desktop platforms and Android. The latest release, Electrum v4.5.6, brings a mix of new features, bug fixes, and some improvements that regular users will appreciate.
Here’s a breakdown of what’s new in this version:
1. Testnet4 Support
The big update here is the support for Testnet4, which is particularly useful for developers and advanced users who want to test features and transactions without risking actual Bitcoin. Testnet environments are a safe way to experiment, and Testnet4 aims to provide more stability for testing purposes.
2. New Hardware Wallet Support
Electrum now supports two new hardware wallets:
- Trezor Safe 5
- Ledger Flex
These additions give more flexibility to those who use hardware wallets for extra security. If you’re using one of these devices, you can now manage your Bitcoin directly through Electrum.
Note: We found (too late) that this release has a regression that prevents from creating or restoring 2FA wallets. We fixed this issue in our source repository, and will release version 4.5.7 in the coming days.
— Electrum (@ElectrumWallet) October 17, 2024
3. Multisig Wallet Export to Coldcard
For users managing multisignature (multisig) wallets, Electrum now allows you to export these wallets to Coldcard over USB. This update makes it easier to manage multisig setups directly through Electrum.
Bug Fixes and Tweaks
A few annoying bugs have been squashed, making this release smoother overall:
- 2FA Wallets: The wallet creation wizard now allows passphrases for some two-factor authentication (2FA) wallet seeds.
- TrustedCoin: Several fixes related to TrustedCoin 2FA wallets, including better error messages and smoother keystore handling.
- UNIX Permissions: Stricter permissions are now applied to log files, improving security for users on UNIX-based systems.
Android-Specific Updates
If you’re using Electrum on Android, there are a couple of handy new features:
- Seed Passphrase Display: You can now view your seed passphrase directly in the WalletDetails, which helps when you need quick access to your recovery information.
- Screen Brightness for QR Codes: The app automatically adjusts screen brightness to the max when displaying QR codes, making it easier to scan.
Desktop Updates (Qt GUI)
On the desktop front, Electrum’s Qt GUI has also received some improvements:
- Scanning multiple private keys or addresses from QR codes is now fixed, making it easier to import and manage your keys.
CLI and RPC Changes
For users working through the command-line interface (CLI) or using Remote Procedure Calls (RPC), Electrum has introduced a security measure that now requires wallet passwords for certain commands (like lnpay), adding an extra layer of protection for sensitive actions.
Build and Binary Changes
- Unit Tests in Tarballs: Unit tests are now included in the source tarballs, making it easier for developers to test their builds.
- Target SDK Version: The target SDK version for the Android app has been bumped to 34, with an update to Python 3.10, moving the app toward inclusion in F-Droid.
Known Issue: 2FA Wallets
One downside in this release is a known regression that affects the creation and restoration of 2FA wallets. The team is aware of the issue and has already fixed it in their source repository. A patch (v4.5.7) will be coming soon to resolve this problem.
Wrap-Up
Electrum v4.5.6 brings some solid updates for Bitcoin and Lightning users, particularly with hardware wallet support and improved multisig functionality. If you’re using Android or rely on hardware wallets, the new features will definitely come in handy. Just keep an eye out for the upcoming fix for the 2FA wallet issue if that affects you.