Do I have to download all blocks to see my bitcoin using bitcoin-qt?

I saw a youtube video about bitcoin wallet and he said you can't see your bitcoin or send or receive until the bitcoin-qt download all the blocks.

Job

Posted 2013-09-07T21:30:36.650

Reputation: 51

Or with a client like Multibit you dont have to download the blockchain to see your transaction. – None – 2013-09-08T08:42:43.560

Answers

In order for your client to show your bitcoins, you'll at least have to download and process up to the block that validated the transaction with which your money was sent to you. (The client can't show you, what it doesn't know about.)

Bitcoin-QT will allow you to send bitcoins after that, even when it is not synchronized completely yet. Since likely your funds have only been sent to you in the near past, you will have to download almost the complete chain to reach that stage.

Murch

Posted 2013-09-07T21:30:36.650

Reputation: 41 609

For bitcoin-qt, the answer is yes.

For Multibit, the answer is no.

Scott

Posted 2013-09-07T21:30:36.650

Reputation: 804

Only if you use a client that downloads all the blocks. Multibit and some others don't. Also, you can check your balance on sites like blockchain.info (though you're putting your faith in their honest reporting).

Eyal

Posted 2013-09-07T21:30:36.650

Reputation: 1 539