Trying to Run ABCore Node on Mobile

In my last post, I mentioned being unsure if full nodes could really run on mobile devices. After some back and forth in the comments, ABCbits mentioned a couple of options for running a full node on mobile: ABCore and Smartino. I thought it would be fun to give it a shot on my own mobile device. Smartino I tried to follow the install guide from GitHub for Smartino, but I ran into an error. The command to set up storage worked fine, but then the error popped up right after. ABCore At first, I couldn’t spot ABCore on the Play Store, so I was a bit hesitant about downloading it directly from GitHub due to possible risks. I went ahead and did it anyway, just to see what it’s like. Unfortunately, ABCore has some restrictions that impacted my attempt because of my device's specs. I’ve got 4GB of RAM, but the ROM isn’t quite up to par with what’s recommended for running ABCore. Plus, there are limits on data connections. I’m using 4G, which isn’t really encouraged either. But hey, I wasn’t gonna let that stop me from trying. The first image on the left shows a basic setup for wallets, testnet, pruning, and just blocks. If you look closely, you’ll see the default pruning MB is set to 1000MB, and I changed that to 5000MB to get started. The first image pops up when you hit the peer menu. Not really sure what it’s all about, but I’ve noticed that newly mined blocks show up here whenever I refresh the page.

When you are running a node using mobile data, the ISP is probably able to see all the data coming to and from the bitcoin node implementation since it's probably not supporting the BIP324 transport mode yet, meaning everything is unencrypted. That is one of the risks you take when you run a node on a mobile device. Same with WiFi, wired internet on any home network. And there's a strong chance that ABCore does not have all the patches from the latest Bitcoin Core like the one I mentioned above.

Just for a first attempt purpose, but I will try out a personal computer when I get one. But hope this risk isn't applicable to other devices, other than mobile devices?.

Here's additional context. I didn't expect you'd actually try it. In case you didn't notice, ABCore last released on 2019. Meanwhile smartino last updated last year, but using even older dependency.

Of course. Even though the tools (PC) to run it own my own isn't available, I have to make use of what I have so I can at least have a basic idea. Then later on when the tools are available, I won't find it tool complicating. Just as NotATether has explained about the risk of using a mobile device which I wasn't aware of until now, it's important I grab the basics of running full or prune nodes. No knowledge is wasted after all.

Generally, all the alternative implementations of the Bitcoin protocol except for Bitcoin Core are going to be at least to some degree lagging behind Core in terms of patches and bug  fixes. It shouldn't affect you much, other than the occasional softfork that other implementations are slow to implement, but fortunately for you that occurs only rarely.