Updated in 2018-01-08

Notes about sync

"Stuck" on 100-200 blocks away from current highest block

When using the default Geth setting fast mode, it downloads blocks, headers and chain structure (or state entries). As of today, the latter sums up more than 70 million entries. Know what to expect: it can take several hours to download on a consumer machine. For quicker access to funds or balances, refer to the Light Client section.

"Mist has eaten my hard drive space"

Regular geth sync can take dozens of GB from your hard drive. In order to reclaim space, you can:

1. execute geth removedb
2. enable the light client (see below)

For information directly related to blockchain sync, refer to https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum

Light Client

Soon-to-be default, yet still experimental. It downloads block headers and pulls blocks on demand. The sync times are reduced by an order of magnitude while staying safe. And the required storage is a lot smaller.

How to activate?

Mist Wiki: https://github.com/ethereum/mist/wiki
Gitter channel, where the community is, and can certainly help as well: https://gitter.im/ethereum/mist