Export Watch only missing .dat file extension #956

issue polespinasa opened this issue on August 4, 2026

polespinasa commented at 3:38 PM on August 4, 2026: member

When exporting a watchonly wallet using the GUI the .dat extension is not automatically added to the file. The GUI then is not able to restore a wallet without the explicit .dat extension.

~Note: I did not check if this also happens using RPC, will update the issue when tested.~ Edit: The RPC is unaffected by this, it does allow non .dat files.

With .dat works:

<img width="1024" height="705" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/12c8b3fa-da54-4a4c-944d-c84bdd8d1361" />

Without .dat does not see it:

<img width="1022" height="698" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/97b65440-33ef-44db-a514-70aec2f526c9" />
polespinasa assigned polespinasa on Aug 4, 2026
polespinasa commented at 8:06 AM on August 5, 2026: member

This is fixed in https://github.com/bitcoin-core/gui/pull/957
hebasto commented at 1:51 PM on August 8, 2026: member

When exporting a watchonly wallet using the GUI the .dat extension is not automatically added to the file.

The GUI behaviour is consistent with the RPC.

The GUI then is not able to restore a wallet without the explicit .dat extension.

Perhaps we could provide the user with a hint?

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