Cold Storage after the default 20 Addresses?

[adaseb]

I am using Electrum with 2 computers as a cold storage.

On the offline computer I don't see any addresses other than the default 20, on the online computer a new BTC address appears as soon as one is used up, how would I be able to create a transaction with an address not in my cold storage address list since its never connected online?

[Coin-Keeper]

I am thinking one option would be to increase the GAP limit on the cold wallet computer in Electrum.  You didn't mention if you are a dozen or so addresses beyond 20 or thousands.  As an example you can increase the GAP limit to 50 and see 50 addresses.  It can be set higher, but this is my thought as a starting point.

[HI-TEC99]

I don't think it matters if you can't see more than the default 20 addresses in your cold storage wallet. I guess you should be able to create an unsigned transaction from an address over that limit in your online wallet,then sign it with your offline wallet,

As a test you could try signing a message from an address in your cold wallet that's over its default 20 addresses limit. If it can sign a message from an address that's not showing then it should also be able to sign a transaction from it.

[Coin-Keeper]

I agree with that.  I thought the OP might be more comfortable with the thought of seeing the address in question.  Again, if he is like a dozen or so over the 20, not if he is 150 over the initial 20.  Just trying to extend comfort if a GAP of 50 would do the trick.

[adaseb]

No I have less than 20 addresses currently. Where is the GAP limit setting to increase it on the offline computer?

[HI-TEC99]

No I have less than 20 addresses currently. Where is the GAP limit setting to increase it on the offline computer?

Click the console tab to open the console window, then paste the line of text below into it, then press your enter key.

wallet.change_gap_limit(50)

Afterwards paste the line of text below into the console window, then press your enter key. You may have to wait some time before the process completes. It's completed when a blinking cursor preceded by >> returns to the console window.

wallet.synchronize()

Restart electrum to view the extra addresses.

Adjust the number shown in red to increase or decrease the number of addresses you want.

If you ever restore your offline wallet from seed you will have to repeat that process to view those addresses.

[Abdussamad]

I am using Electrum with 2 computers as a cold storage.

On the offline computer I don't see any addresses other than the default 20, on the online computer a new BTC address appears as soon as one is used up, how would I be able to create a transaction with an address not in my cold storage address list since its never connected online?

The unsigned transaction that you generate on the online computer will contain instructions for the offline wallet to generate the necessary addresses before attempting to sign the unsigned transaction. So you don't have to worry about this. All addresses are generated from the seed so it is not a problem.

Don't increase the gap limit or follow any other inane advice people give you. Just carry on as usual.

[adaseb]

Ok perfect. Thanks everybody for all your input.

[Coin-Keeper]

I am not sure I consider the advice "inane" (your word).  Sure as mentioned above its not necessary, but some people just want to SEE the same address list when maybe you run 5-10 addresses beyond the original 20.  My suggestion was for user comfort not for required FUNCTION.  You and I know why its not imperative, but newer users like to see their address staring at them on the cold computer.  That's all.  We are all good here either way.

[pooya87]

I am not sure I consider the advice "inane" (your word).  Sure as mentioned above its not necessary, but some people just want to SEE the same address list when maybe you run 5-10 addresses beyond the original 20.  My suggestion was for user comfort not for required FUNCTION.  You and I know why its not imperative, but newer users like to see their address staring at them on the cold computer.  That's all.  We are all good here either way.

newer users who don't know what is happening should not see all the addresses anyways. that is why the address tab is hidden by default. they pressed Ctrl+a and got into "advanced mode" now they are confused about why are there all these addresses.

a new user (if he doesn't mess around in electrum) only sees a simple GUI which has 2 main tabs that he has to use: the "Send" tab and the "Receive" tab and the names are clear enough. they just click send then the magic happens or in case of cold storage they get a file and transfer it to the offline storage and magic happens there. they still don't need to see any addresses.