Best Source for "Bitcoin Core" For A Mac with External Drive?

[bethanybeachbum]

Can someone please provide the best source for "Bitcoin Core" For a Mac with External Drive?

Thank you.

[DaveF]

The core software is here: https://bitcoin.org/en/download

It does not matter if you are using the internal drive or an external drive.
Once you install / run it you just have to tell it where to put the data.
Keep in mind you have to be a bit more carful when using an external drive since unplugging it while bitcoin is running can cause database corruption.


-Dave

[BitMaxz]

What is your current macOS version?

I heard that there are some bugs or not able to install Bitcoin core on macOS Big Sur or lower or if you are running the latest version of macOS installing bitcoin core won't be a problem.

Try the suggested above and discuss here later if you receive or experience some errors.

[bethanybeachbum]

Running Mac OS Big Sur version 11.1

[NotATether]

I heard that there are some bugs or not able to install Bitcoin core on macOS Big Sur or lower or if you are running the latest version of macOS installing bitcoin core won't be a problem.

Big Sur is the latest version.


Use the download link that DaveF posted to get the .dmg file of Bitcoin Core, and then install that, and before you run, locate your external hard drive inside /Volumes/, make a folder inside it called "bitcoindata" or any other name (you will put the same name in the bitcoin configuration file) and then:

- Make a new folder in your home folder called Library/Application Support/Bitcoin
-- The full path should be /Users/yourusername/Library/Application Support/Bitcoin
- In that folder create a file called bitcoin.conf using a text editor
- Paste the following contents inside.

Code:

# [core]
# Specify a non-default location to store blockchain and other data.
# Write spaces by writing \ followed by the space.
datadir=/Volumes/Thenameofyourvolume/bitcoindata

Remember to change "bitcoindata" to whatever name you gave to the new folder if you gave it a different name.

Then you can double-click on Bitcoin Core to launch it and it will automatically use the external drive as it's datadir.

[bethanybeachbum]

Thank you for your feedback on setting up an external Mac drive. I think I am ready to go.  When I double click on the Bitcoin Core App, I get the following Mac OS error:

   "Bitcoin Core.app" can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software.  This software needs to be updated. Contact the developer for more information. "

Has anyone run into this error and have a solution?

Thank you very much,

######

The second thing I did was:
1. create a "bitcoin" folder on my Mac external drive and downloaded the DMG to it.  
2. Followed the directions in doc/build-osx.md to make a P2P node.  It was long and fairly straight forward installing a lot of dependancies via Homebrew.  The last command is "make" in a terminal window.  If I run this command it says:
"The first time you run bitcoind, it will start downloading the blockchain. This process could take many hours".

I have to admit I am a little shy to type this command because of all the hype about burning bandwidth with my ISP (Mediacom) and my electricity usage (Delmarva Power).  Does any one have feedback for attempting to build the blockchain on a MacBook Pro with 16GB RAM or similar, and a 1TB drive?

[NotATether]

  "Bitcoin Core.app" can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software.  This software needs to be updated. Contact the developer for more information. "

You get this error from Gatekeeper when you run an app that's not from the Mac App Store. Turn off Gatekeeper using these instructions from Apple:

In System Preferences, click Security & Privacy, then click General. Click the lock and enter your password to make changes. Select App Store [Find the option called "Anywhere" - it should be next to the other two] under the header “Allow apps downloaded from.”

(If that option is not there then check "App Store and identified developers". I think Bitcoin Core devs sign the MacOS version.)

I have to admit I am a little shy to type this command because of all the hype about burning bandwidth with my ISP (Mediacom) and my electricity usage (Delmarva Power).  Does any one have feedback for attempting to build the blockchain on a MacBook Pro with 16GB RAM or similar, and a 1TB drive?

Power usage will not be a problem, especially on the MacBook Pro. It'll just run on maximum CPU usage most of the time which it's designed for and will only burn as much power as playing a video game.

As for your ISP, make sure your plan allows you to download at least 400GB at once, otherwise you will have to measure your internet usage and shut off Core towards the end of the month and "split" the initial block download across several months.

[bethanybeachbum]

I want to thank everyone, especially "NotATether",  for your help.  I am now successfully downloading the Bitcoin Core.