This is a step by step guide on how to setup an Idena VPS node and link it to the Idena app on your Mac.

I couldn’t find one written specifically for Mac users (most are for Linux or Windows, and ones that mention Macs are rather vague), so I thought I’d write one and keep it as simple as possible for people who might be struggling to set this thing up (like I was).

Here is what you’ll need:

• Idena Client
• VPS Host
• Terminal (Native app on your Mac, no need to download anything)

I set everything up while on MacOS BigSur, but I'm sure the steps and commands remain the same no matter what MacOS version you're on.

I. Setting Up VPS Host

I signed up with Vultr to host my VPS, but I’m guessing the steps to set up a machine are very similar with any other service provider you choose. On Vultr you can use PayPal, credit/debit card or bitcoin to make your purchase.

Some Idena articles claim you can sign up with Vultr for $5 a month promotion or a free month, but I couldn't get any of those to work when I was signing up (I guess the promotions ended).

1. Head over to https://www.vultr.com/?ref=8873202 and create your account*. The type we’re looking at is a Cloud Compute with following settings which will cost us $10 a month:
• 64 bit OS
• Ubuntu 20.10 x64
• At least 2GB Memory
2. It might take a few minutes for the server to automatically set up, at the end it will say Running next to your machine.
3. Congratulations! You now own a VPS!

II. Installing Idena on your Mac

To install Idena client on your Mac is pretty straight forward:

1. Visit https://www.idena.io/download and get the latest client (As of this writing the client version is 0.23.4.)
2. Install the client on your Mac
3. Launch the app
4. Go to Settings -> Node
Make sure the “Run built-in node” is checked and let it run for a few seconds. Then switch it off.*
5. Close the app.

*"Why the heck would I do that? I just bought a VPS!" you’re asking.

From my experience, this is needed for the client to create a node folder in your system, where you will later be able to find your “node key” also known as your “private key”. Hence the next step.

III. Finding Node Key

When installing the Idena node on your VPS, at a certain step we will need your node key. So, let’s find that on your Mac first.

1. Go to the top bar of your Mac
2. Go -> Go to Folder (Or press Cmd + Shift + G) and paste following location line:
~/Library/Application Support/Idena/node/datadir/keystore

This is where your nodekey file is saved on your computer. Right click and open it with TextEdit. There should be a line consisting of a numbers and letters, that is your node key. Keep that file open for a bit, as we’ll need that node key for the next step.

IV. Setting up Idena Node & Idena Manager

Now this part was a bit tricky for me, but I got it to work, so follow along and your node will be up in a few minutes and you’ll be all ready for your first validation ceremony.

You'll need the following information:

• Your VPS IP address
• Password

If you’re using Vultr like me, you can find both in the Server Details tab.

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Now let's fire up Terminal and get to copy pasting and hitting Enter.

1. Open “Terminal”
You can find it by going to
Applications -> Utilities -> Terminal
2. Paste the following line to connect to your VPS, replace YOUR VPS IP with IP address of your VPS.
ssh -L 9999:localhost:9009 root@YOUR VPS IP
3. Enter your VPS password
4. You’re in. Awesome!
5. Install the Idena Node*
wget https://github.com/idena-network/idena-go/releases/download/v0.26.1/idena-node-mac-0.26.1
6. Install the Idena Manager
source <(curl -sL https://bit.ly/idena-manager-installer)
7. Create an API key for your node
idena-manager add
• Location: leave empty
• API Key: leave empty to generate one
• Node wallet (or nodekey): remember the nodekey file with numbers and letters we opened? Paste your key here

You should be able to see 2 node keys, copy the first one . Don't close terminal yet.

*0.26.1 is the version of this writing, so feel free to adjust the numbers to the latest release if you’re reading this from the future.

V. Linking VPS to Idena Client

Almost there!

1. Fire up Idena app
2. Go to Settings -> Node
3. Change your node Address to: http://localhost:9999
4. Paste the copied API key in the API key field
5. Save

Run Built-in Node should be turned OFF and Connect to remote node is ON. Your client should be either Synchronised or Synchronising!

Congratulations, you’ve made it!

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PS. Every time you want to open Idena app, you’ll need to connect to your VPS first through terminal with following command:

ssh -L 9999:localhost:9009 root@YOUR VPS IP

Now all you need is an invitation! You can get it over at Idena Telegram.

PSS. To change your Vultr password, simply put in passwd into your terminal, and you'll be able to create your own.