> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.cakewallet.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.cakewallet.com/features/privacy-and-security/privacy-settings.md).

# Privacy settings

Cake Wallet is private by default, but it also hands you the controls. This page walks through every privacy-related setting so you can decide what fits your threat model — each one lists what it does, what it protects, and our recommendation.

Settings live in two places: `Settings` → Wallet settings → `Privacy` (per-wallet behavior) and `Settings` → App settings → `Connections` (how the app reaches the network).

## Privacy settings (per wallet)

![Privacy settings screen](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cake-tech/docs-assets/main/v6.3.1/settings_privacy_01_top.png)

* **Auto generate addresses** — hands out a fresh receiving address after each payment so observers can't tie your transactions together. *Recommended on* (the default) for Monero, Bitcoin, Litecoin, and other rotating-address coins.
* **Save recipient address** — stores the addresses you send to in each transaction's local details. Handy for your own records, but it keeps data on your device; turn it off if you'd rather Cake Wallet remember nothing about where you sent funds.
* **Use Payjoin** — improves Bitcoin transaction privacy by having both sender and receiver contribute inputs. See [Payjoin](https://docs.cakewallet.com/features/privacy-and-security/payjoin) (Bitcoin, mobile).
* **Enable Lightning** — turns on the Bitcoin [Lightning](https://docs.cakewallet.com/features/basic/bitcoin-lightning) balance and address.
* **Silent Payments**, **MWEB**, **Coin Control** — open their own screens; see [Silent Payments](https://docs.cakewallet.com/features/privacy-and-security/silent-payments), [Litecoin MWEB](https://docs.cakewallet.com/features/privacy-and-security/litecoin-mweb), and [Coin control](https://docs.cakewallet.com/features/advanced/coin-control).

## Connections settings (whole app)

![Connections settings screen](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cake-tech/docs-assets/main/v6.3.1/settings_connections_01_top.png)

* **Enable built-in Tor** — routes the app's connections through Tor, hiding your IP from nodes and services. See [Built-in Tor](https://docs.cakewallet.com/features/privacy-and-security/built-in-tor).
* **Fiat API** — controls how Cake Wallet fetches prices to show fiat values. Set to `Tor only` to fetch privately, or `Disabled` to stop fetching prices entirely (your balances then show only in crypto).
* **Swap** — the same three modes for exchange-rate lookups: enabled, Tor-only, or disabled.
* **Mempool API** — fetches accurate Bitcoin fees and confirmation times. Disabling it improves privacy slightly but makes fee estimates rougher.
* **Disable Automatic Exchange Status Updates** — stops the app from polling providers for your trades' status in the background.
* **Background sync** — keeps Monero wallets synced while the app is closed (Android). See [Background sync](https://docs.cakewallet.com/features/advanced/background-sync).

### Use Blink Protection

Although it protects your transactions rather than your connections, the `Use Blink Protection` toggle lives on the `Connections` screen rather than the per-wallet `Privacy` screen. When it is on, Cake Wallet broadcasts your signed transaction to Blink's private relay instead of straight into the public mempool, so MEV searchers cannot see and front-run it while it waits to be mined; if the relay is unreachable the wallet quietly falls back to your normal node. The toggle is **on by default** and only appears for Ethereum and Base wallets, the two chains the relay supports. It is also offered on the `Privacy settings` screen shown while you create or restore a wallet.

### Block explorer history

Also on the `Connections` screen, a set of six toggles controls whether Cake Wallet fetches transaction history from a third-party block explorer: `Etherscan history`, `PolygonScan history`, `BaseScan History`, `ArbiScan History`, `BSCScan History`, and `TronGrid history`. Each is **on by default**, and each appears only when the open wallet is on the matching chain. Querying an explorer means handing your addresses to that provider, so turn a toggle off if you would rather that operator not learn which addresses you hold — at the cost of a less complete history for that chain.

## Domain lookups

`Connections` → `Domain lookups` lets you turn individual address-resolution services on or off — ENS, OpenAlias, Unstoppable Domains, and the rest. Each one, when enabled, sends the name you're paying to that service to resolve it into an address. Turn off any you don't use. See [Address lookup services](https://docs.cakewallet.com/features/advanced/address-lookup-services).

## Set privacy before a wallet ever connects

When you create or restore a wallet, the `Privacy settings` screen lets you choose a custom node, Blink Protection, and fiat/exchange modes *before* the wallet makes its first connection — useful if you never want it touching default infrastructure. The [hardening guide](https://docs.cakewallet.com/tutorials/mobile-hardening) covers a full privacy-first setup.


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