Welcome to BlockStar Browser

🐧 Linux

• Supports Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, and other major distributions
• Download the .AppImage file
• Make the file executable: chmod +x BlockStar*.AppImage
• Run it directly — no installation required

🔲 Tab Bar

Open multiple tabs with Ctrl/Cmd+T. Middle-click or click the × on a tab to close it. Tabs automatically save your session on restart. Right-click a tab for more options including Duplicate, Pin, and Mute.

🔗 Address Bar

Type a URL to navigate directly, or type search terms to search using your chosen engine. The address bar also resolves ENS domains (e.g., vitalik.eth) to Web3 sites automatically.

💼 Wallet Button

The wallet icon in the top-right opens your crypto wallet panel. It shows your current balance, network, and recent transactions. A lock icon indicates the wallet is locked — click it and enter your password to unlock.

📸 Screen Tools Button

Click the camera icon in the toolbar to access Screen Capture. Click the record button to start a Screen Recording. Both tools open in their own lightweight panels without leaving the current page.

⚙️ Settings Menu

Access full settings via the gear icon or Ctrl/Cmd+, — covers privacy, appearance, network, wallet, search engines, and more.

Navigation

Tools & Features

Supported Networks

BlockStar Wallet works across multiple blockchains out of the box:

Sending & Receiving

• To receive: click Receive to view your wallet address and QR code
• To send: click Send, enter the recipient address and amount, review fees, then confirm
• Transactions require your wallet password to sign
• Track status in the Transactions tab inside the wallet panel

Multiple Accounts

BlockStar supports multiple wallet accounts under one seed phrase. Click Add Account in the wallet panel to create additional accounts. Switch between accounts using the dropdown at the top of the wallet panel.

Connecting to a dApp

• Navigate to any dApp (e.g., a DeFi exchange or NFT marketplace)
• Click Connect Wallet on the website
• A permission popup will appear in BlockStar — click Approve
• The dApp will now recognize your wallet address
• Sign transactions when prompted — you'll always see a confirmation screen

ENS & Web3 Domain Support

Type a .eth or other Web3 domain directly in the address bar. BlockStar will automatically resolve it to the correct decentralized website or IPFS resource.

WalletConnect

BlockStar supports WalletConnect v1, letting you connect your browser wallet to mobile dApps or external platforms by scanning a QR code. Open the wallet panel and click WalletConnect to start a session.

Starting a Recording

• Click the record button in the toolbar or use the Screen Tools menu
• Choose your recording source: Full Screen, Window, or Browser Tab
• Toggle microphone audio on/off from the recording settings dialog
• Click Start Recording — a small floating control bar will appear

Recording Controls

A small overlay bar appears while recording. Use it to:

• Pause / Resume the recording at any time
• Stop and save the recording to your chosen folder
• View elapsed recording time

How Screen Sharing Works

When a website (like Google Meet or Zoom Web) requests screen sharing access, BlockStar handles the permission natively — no extensions needed.

• A permission dialog will appear when a site requests screen access
• Choose to share your full screen, a specific window, or a browser tab
• Click Allow to start the share
• A visual indicator in the tab bar shows when sharing is active
• Click Stop Sharing in the site or use the browser toolbar button to end it

Secure Storage

All wallet keys are encrypted using AES-256 and stored locally on your device. Your private keys never leave your computer — BlockStar has no servers that hold your keys.

Password & 2FA

Your wallet is protected by the password you set on first launch. You can also enable Two-Factor Authentication (TOTP/Authenticator app) in Settings → Security for an extra layer of protection.

Privacy Mode

Enable Privacy Mode in Settings to prevent browsing history from being saved, block all third-party cookies, and prevent websites from accessing your IP address via WebRTC leaks.

Permission Types

• Camera & Microphone — Required for video calls; granted per-site
• Screen Sharing — Requested by collaboration tools; you choose what to share
• Wallet Access — dApps request to connect to your wallet; always requires your approval
• Notifications — Sites can request to send you browser notifications
• Clipboard — Some sites request clipboard access; blocked by default

AI Search Mode

Enable AI Search Mode to get AI-enhanced results alongside normal search results. This helps you find deeper answers without needing to click through multiple sites.

Installing Extensions

• Visit the Chrome Web Store in BlockStar
• Find the extension you want and click Add to Chrome
• Confirm the permissions in the popup
• The extension will appear in the extensions toolbar

What Syncs

• Bookmarks and bookmark folders
• Browser settings and preferences
• Search engine choice
• Installed extensions (settings only, not binaries)
• Saved wallet connections (not private keys — those stay local)

Is BlockStar Browser free?

Yes. BlockStar Browser is completely free and open source (MIT License). There are no subscriptions or fees.

Does BlockStar store my private keys on its servers?

No. Your private keys are encrypted and stored only on your local device. BlockStar has no access to your keys or funds.

Can I use BlockStar without setting up a wallet?

Yes. The wallet setup is optional during first launch. You can skip it and use BlockStar as a regular privacy-focused browser. You can always set up the wallet later from the wallet icon.

Does the AI Assistant see my browsing history?

No. The AI only processes data when you explicitly ask it to summarize or query. It has no passive access to your browsing history or page content.

Which Chrome extensions work with BlockStar?

Most Chrome Web Store extensions are compatible. However, extensions that duplicate built-in features (MetaMask, uBlock) may conflict — we recommend using the built-in alternatives instead.

How do I update BlockStar Browser?

BlockStar checks for updates automatically. You'll see a notification when an update is available. You can also check manually via Settings → About → Check for Updates.

Wallet won't unlock / password rejected

Make sure Caps Lock is off. If you've forgotten your password, the only recovery option is to reset the wallet using your seed phrase. Go to wallet panel → Forgot Password → Import with Seed Phrase.

dApp doesn't detect my wallet

Refresh the page while your wallet is unlocked. Make sure you've approved the connection request in the BlockStar permission popup. Some older dApps may require you to manually select "MetaMask" as the wallet type — BlockStar is fully compatible.

Screen recording not working on macOS

Go to System Preferences → Security & Privacy → Privacy → Screen Recording, and ensure BlockStar Browser is checked. You may need to restart BlockStar after granting permission.

Pages loading slowly or crashing

Try disabling extensions one by one to identify a conflict. Clear the browser cache in Settings → Privacy → Clear Browsing Data. If issues persist, try reinstalling BlockStar — your wallet data is stored separately and won't be lost.

Still need help?

Contact our support team at info@blockstar.site or visit browser.blockstar.site for the latest updates and community resources.