How to Mine Crypto on Phone and is it Profitable?

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How to Mine Cryptocurrency on Your Smartphone

Get a Suitable Device: Use an old or less powerful smartphone; buying a new one for mining isn't cost-effective.
Download Mining Software: Choose reliable apps like MinerGate Mobile or ARM Miner.
Register: Create an account through the app or on the official website.
Set Up the App: Configure mining settings, select the cryptocurrency, and allocate device resources.
Ensure Power and Internet Connection: Keep your phone connected to power and Wi-Fi for continuous mining.
Start Mining: Launch the app, and the mining process will run automatically

Cryptocurrency mining has traditionally been associated with high-powered computers and specialized hardware. However, with the advancements in mobile technology, it's now possible to mine cryptocurrency on devices as compact as an iPhone. While this might seem like a futuristic concept, it's a reality that many iPhone users are exploring.

In this article, we'll delve into the feasibility of mining on an iPhone, the necessary requirements, and whether it’s worth the effort. We'll also address the unique challenges and considerations that come with using an iPhone for this purpose, helping you decide if mobile mining is right for you.

What is mining?

Cryptocurrency mining is the process by which new digital coins are created and transactions are verified within a blockchain network. In essence, mining involves solving complex mathematical problems using computing power, which in turn adds new blocks of data to the blockchain. This process is crucial for maintaining the integrity and security of the decentralized network, ensuring that all transactions are accurately recorded and that no single entity can control the entire system.

Miners, who provide the computational resources, are rewarded with cryptocurrency for their efforts. This reward system incentivizes participants to contribute to the network, making it more robust and secure. The more powerful the hardware a miner uses, the greater the chance of solving these problems and earning rewards. While traditionally associated with powerful computers and specialized hardware, mining can also be done on smaller devices like smartphones, although with significantly lower efficiency and profitability.

Is it possible to mine using a smartphone?

Yes, it is technically possible to mine cryptocurrency using a smartphone, but there are significant challenges related to efficiency and cost. The primary issue lies in the limited processing power and energy efficiency of smartphones compared to dedicated mining rigs or high-performance computers. Mining requires a substantial amount of computational power, and smartphones simply don’t have the necessary capabilities to compete with more powerful hardware. As a result, mining on a smartphone is generally not cost-effective, with earnings barely covering the electricity costs in most cases.

To better understand the limitations of smartphone mining, let's compare it with traditional mining methods:

Aspect	Smartphone Mining	Traditional Mining (PC/ASIC)
Processing Power	Limited, low computational capacity	High, designed for intensive calculations
Efficiency	Low, barely covers electricity costs	High, with optimized hardware for mining
Profitability	Minimal, often not cost-effective	Potentially high, depending on setup
Suitable Cryptocurrencies	Small, CPU-friendly coins	Broad range, including major cryptocurrencies
Device Wear and Tear	High, accelerates smartphone degradation	Moderate, devices designed for durability

As the table shows, smartphone mining suffers from significant drawbacks in terms of processing power, efficiency, and profitability. The limited capabilities of mobile devices make them unsuitable for mining most major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, which require immense computational power.

However, there are some smaller cryptocurrencies that can theoretically be mined on a smartphone due to their lower computational requirements. These coins are designed to be more accessible and can be mined using less powerful hardware, such as the CPU in a smartphone.

Cryptocurrencies Suitable for Smartphone Mining

Monero (XMR): Known for its privacy features, Monero is more accessible for mobile mining due to its CPU-friendly nature.
Bee Network: Similar to Pi Network, Bee Network enables users to mine tokens through a mobile app with minimal resource usage.
Electroneum (ETN): Specifically designed to be mined on mobile devices, making it one of the most smartphone-friendly cryptocurrencies.
VerusCoin (VRSC): Another cryptocurrency that is relatively easier to mine on low-power devices like smartphones.
Aeon (AEON): A lightweight privacy coin that can be mined using CPUs, making it feasible for smartphone mining.
Pi Network: Allows people to mine cryptocurrency on their phones without draining their battery or requiring expensive hardware.

While these cryptocurrencies are more suited to smartphone mining, it's important to note that the potential earnings are still minimal. In most cases, smartphone mining is not cost-effective, and the small returns often don’t justify the energy consumed and the wear and tear on the device.

Advantages and disadvantages of mining cryptos using a smartphone

Cryptocurrency mining via a smartphone can bring a stable passive income. However, before focusing on this idea and searching on the internet for a special application, it is necessary to determine the pros and cons of using the smartphone method. This will give you an objective idea of its feasibility for your situatio

You don't need a desktop computer, laptop, rigs, or special equipment. The smartphone that you currently use or an old gadget, currently just lying on a closet shelf, is enough.
You don't need a flagship model to mine via your phone. Of course, the more powerful the phone, the higher the earning potential, but this is a non-critical indicator. You can mine on any more or less modern device.
No special skills are required. Most applications are intuitive and have a straightforward interface. There are many tutorial videos and guides on the internet on this subject.
Pro There are only two kinds of costs – electricity to charge your phone, and internet fees. In that sense, it is wise to use your home WI-FI, which you already use for other tasks, and is commonly used in almost every house.s_item
It is estimated that if you charge your iPhone 11 for three hours every day, it will cost you $0.2 per year in terms of the cost of electricity consumed. Of course, much depends on regional tariffs, but generally, it is an insignificant cost.
Mining on your Android/iOS phone doesn’t require a lot of attention. You install the app, set it up once, and you can go weeks without touching your device. This is not time-consuming.

The main disadvantage of this method is economic feasibility. You can't earn over $10-15 per month if you work 24/7 on a non-top, but fairly productive device.
The second nuance is the increased wear and tear of the device. Modern smartphones, even the leading brands, aren’t designed for such loads, so they can fail quite quickly.
The relative disadvantage is that you need the internet. It is unprofitable to use mobile phones. If you don’t have a fixed WI-FI point, mining cryptocurrency on the phone will bring minimal income.

In general, there are more advantages than disadvantages. But, as you can see, a lot depends on the nuances. What kind of phone do you use exactly? How much does electricity cost in your area? Is there WI-FI in the house? Conceptually, it's the software that matters, but we'll talk about that later.

What Smartphone is best for mining cryptocurrency?

When it comes to mining cryptocurrency on a smartphone, selecting the right device is crucial. Modern smartphones vary significantly in their processing power, battery life, and cooling systems, all of which impact their ability to mine cryptocurrencies effectively. Let’s compare the latest models from several leading smartphone manufacturers to determine which one might be best suited for this task.

Comparison of Latest Smartphones for Cryptocurrency Mining
Smartphone Model	Processor	Battery Capacity	Cooling System	Mining Suitability
iPhone 15 Pro Max	A17 Pro	4422 mAh	Efficient thermal management	Stable performance, but limited by iOS restrictions
Xiaomi 14 Pro	Snapdragon 8 Gen 3	5000 mAh	Advanced vapor chamber	High performance, better suited for mining tasks
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra	Exynos 2400/Snapdragon 8 Gen 3	5000 mAh	Advanced vapor chamber	High performance, but similar overheating risks as Xiaomi 14 Pro
Google Pixel 8 Pro	Google Tensor G3	5050 mAh	Advanced cooling technology	Moderate performance, optimized for efficiency rather than power

Conclusion

Among the latest smartphones, the Xiaomi 14 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra stand out as the best options for mobile cryptocurrency mining due to their powerful processors, large batteries, and advanced cooling systems. However, the Xiaomi 14 Pro edges out slightly with its focus on performance, making it the top choice for those looking to experiment with mobile mining. The iPhone 15 Pro Max, while powerful, is less suitable due to iOS restrictions and smaller battery capacity, and the Google Pixel 8 Pro, with its efficiency-focused design, is better suited for lighter tasks.

How to start mining on Android phones?

Starting cryptocurrency mining on a smartphone is a relatively straightforward process, but it comes with important considerations to ensure you’re setting up your device correctly and understand the limitations. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

Step 1: Choose the Right Device

Select a Suitable Smartphone: Ensure that your phone has a powerful processor and a large battery. Models like the Xiaomi 14 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra are better suited for this task. However, remember that continuous mining can lead to overheating and increased wear and tear on the device.

Step 2: Download Mining Software

Choose a Mining App: There are several mobile apps designed for cryptocurrency mining. Some popular options include:
MinerGate Mobile: Allows mining of multiple cryptocurrencies and has a simple interface.
NeoNeonMiner: A more powerful app, better suited for advanced users with a focus on CPU mining.
ARM Miner: Offers flexible settings, allowing you to control how much of your phone’s resources are used for mining.
Install the App: Download the mining app from the official website or a trusted source (e.g., Google Play Store for Android). Be cautious of apps from unknown sources as they may pose security risks.

Step 3: Register and Set Up

Create an Account: Most mining apps require you to register an account. This can usually be done within the app or on the company’s website. Some apps may also require email verification.
Configure Settings: After installation, configure the app based on your preferences. This may include selecting the cryptocurrency you wish to mine, adjusting resource allocation (CPU/GPU usage), and setting up a mining pool if required.

Step 4: Provide Continuous Power Supply

Keep Your Phone Charged: Mining consumes a lot of power, so your phone needs to be connected to a charger at all times to prevent battery drain.
Consider Overheating: Ensure your phone is kept in a cool environment and avoid prolonged mining sessions to prevent overheating, which can damage your device.

Step 5: Ensure a Stable Internet Connection

Use Wi-Fi: Mining requires a continuous internet connection. Using Wi-Fi is generally more stable and cost-effective than relying on mobile data. If you have unlimited mobile data, that could also be an option, but it might lead to additional costs.

Step 6: Start Mining

Launch the App: Once everything is set up, start the mining process by launching the app. The mining software will begin using your phone’s processing power to solve complex algorithms and mine cryptocurrency.
Monitor Progress: Periodically check the app to monitor your mining progress and ensure the phone hasn’t overheated or disconnected from the internet.

Step 7: Withdraw Earnings

Collect Mined Cryptocurrency: Depending on the app, you might be able to withdraw your earnings directly to a cryptocurrency wallet. Be aware that the amount you earn from smartphone mining is typically quite small, and it might take a long time to accumulate a significant amount.

Key Considerations

Profitability: Keep in mind that mining on a smartphone is generally not profitable due to the limited processing power and high energy consumption relative to the earnings.
Device Longevity: Continuous mining can significantly reduce the lifespan of your phone, potentially leading to hardware failures.
Security Risks: Only use trusted mining apps, as some may contain malware or require extensive permissions that could compromise your privacy and security.

Top 3 apps for mining on Android phone

Cryptocurrency mining via a smartphone is popular, so a wide range of software for mobile crypto mining has been developed. Some pools and platforms additionally adapt their solutions that were originally developed for PCs and ASICs, for smartphones.

It is important to choose the right software because apart from the performance of the device, the software influences the intensity of crypto mining. To save time on analyzing existing programs, we have already compared several, and here is a brief roundup of the top three.

MinerGate

It is one of the most popular and potentially promising cryptocurrency miners. MinerGate has its pools for mining Bitcoin, Bitcoin Gold, Litecoin, Ethereum, Ethereum Classic, Monero, Grin, Zcash, EOS, TRX, and ICX. The standard version of the program is designed for Windows 7 and above (64-bit only). But there is a mobile version called MinerGate Mobile. This app has been distributed via Google Play for a long time, but now it is banned from the digital marketplace. While the situation is being resolved, MinerGate Mobile can be freely downloaded as a .apk file on the internet and installed manually.

The application has a simple, intuitive interface. You can register directly in it, it is not necessary to register on the site. There is an English version of instructions on how to mine money on a smartphone because the settings are minimal. The key features of the software are low mining hashrate, but also low resource consumption. MinerGate Mobile almost does not accelerate the wear and tear of the equipment, but it only mines a little crypto.

It is not possible to optimize the mining process. But note that the app has other features besides mobile mining. For example, it allows you to manage mining on your PC if you use a standard MinerGate version, as well as to make transactions with the multicurrency wallet on the site.

NeoNeonMiner

Compared to MinerGate, this application is more powerful and has more cryptocurrency mining capabilities. The software supports Neoscrypt, Script, SHA256, X11, X11EVO, X13, X14, X15, Quark, Qubit, Axiom, Lyra2RE, Lyra2REv2 (Vertcoin), ScryptJaneNf16, CryptoNight, Cryptolight, M7M, and Yescrypt. This means you can mine Bitcoin, Litecoin, Feathercoin, and the most popular coins on your phone.

Note: MinerGate Mobile is cross-functional, it uses both GPU-mining and CPU-mining. NeoNeonMiner will work only with the CPU of your device, without affecting the graphics core. In this case, the CPU is loaded to the limit. Therefore, during operation, the smartphone will be very hot and the wear and tear of the CPU will increase. It is recommended to provide quality cooling.

Algorithms like NeoScrypt, Lyra2RE, and Lyra2REv2 in NeoNeonMiner are optimized for CPUs with ARM-NEON support, which is relevant for most modern Android devices. Partly due to the quality optimization, this app mines more cryptocurrency than many analogs. But, as we said, the resource and power consumption are higher.

The application contains ads that cannot be disabled, so antivirus systems may determine the software to be unsafe. If the program was downloaded from a verified site, there is no real danger.

ARM Miner

This is another popular program for mining cryptocurrency on your smartphone. It has a simple interface, but quite powerful functionality. For example, the user determines how many processor cores will be used for mining. This allows you to install the software on smartphones, which you also use daily.

ARM Miner allows you to mine many popular cryptocurrencies, such as Monero and Ethereum. But the program doesn’t work with SHA-256 and Scrypt algorithms. This means that you can't mine Bitcoin, Litecoin, Dogecoin, and some other advanced coins with it on your phone. The phone remains quite warm while the application is running, but a lot depends on the number of cores involved.

If you use the smartphone to the fullest extent, turning on the maximum resources, it is possible to mine coins at the level of leading competitors. The depreciation of the technical resource using ARM Miner is much lower than for NeoNeonMiner. This is due to the limitation on algorithms since ARM Miner uses "lighter" protocols.

Is it profitable to mine money using a smartphone?

Alas, no. In most cases, if you don't go deep into setup and optimization, your earnings will barely cover the cost of electricity. If you try and meticulously optimize your device, and if your smartphone works 24/7 (and assuming it doesn't break down because that's very likely), you can earn the same $10-15 a month. But this is an idealized view.

It is much more profitable to earn from buying and selling cryptocurrency through cryptocurrency exchanges. Many top sites also provide staking which is an alternative to mining, and that doesn’t require using equipment for calculations to get the reward. You only need to hold a certain amount of relevant cryptocurrency on a special deposit. The more and longer you hold it, the higher the reward.

What are the best alternative options?

If you're looking to earn cryptocurrency using your smartphone, mining may not be the most efficient or profitable option. Instead, consider these alternative strategies:

Buying Bitcoin for the Long Term:

Long-Term Investment: While Bitcoin is highly volatile, it has historically shown strong long-term growth. Buying and holding Bitcoin could be a more profitable strategy than mining.

Staking:

Passive Income: Staking involves locking up your cryptocurrency in a wallet to support the network’s operations (like transaction validation). In return, you earn rewards, making it a low-effort way to grow your holdings.

Cryptocurrency Trading:

Active Income: Trading cryptocurrencies involves buying and selling digital assets on exchanges to capitalize on price fluctuations. It requires more involvement but can offer significant returns if done correctly.

DeFi Protocols:

Yield Farming: Yield farming involves lending or staking your cryptocurrency in decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms to earn interest or additional tokens. It's a way to maximize returns within the DeFi ecosystem.

Copy Trading:

Automated Income: Copy trading allows you to automatically mirror the trades of experienced and successful traders. This strategy lets you benefit from their expertise without actively managing your trades.

We have compared three leading cryptocurrency platforms that provide various alternative earning options, such as long-term Bitcoin investments, staking, yield farming, and copy trading.

	OKX	Kraken	Crypto.com
Coins Supported	329	278	250
Staking for passive income
Yield farming
Copy trading
Spot Maker Fee, %	0,08	0,25	0,25
Spot Taker fee, %	0,1	0,4	0,5
Open account	Open an account Your capital is at risk.	Open an account Your capital is at risk.	Open an account Your capital is at risk.

Conclusion

Now you know what mining is and how mining apps work on your phone. It can be a stable passive income, but it will not provide a significant income. Ideally, you will earn $10-15 per month using this method, but you need a fairly powerful smartphone that functions 24/7 and is not used for other tasks. You will also need stable WI-FI/mobile internet connectivity and inexpensive electricity.

In all respects, trading cryptocurrency on an exchange is a much more profitable option. If you are interested in passive income, we recommend that you consider staking. That is a profitable alternative to mining, where you get remuneration not for providing computing power, but for keeping the coins you already have on a special deposit.

FAQs

What is mining?

To mine a cryptocurrency means to provide the blockchain system with its computing power to perform complex mathematical operations. This can be a video card, a CPU, a Rig, or an ASIC. And you are rewarded for this in the form of coins.

How to mine crypto using a smartphone?

You need to download a special application (sometimes you need to register on the site or in the application itself). After setup, you just launch the application and mine the selected coin. For other purposes, it is better not to use the same smartphone at the same time.

What are the pros and cons of mining money on your phone?

The main advantage is that if you have an unnecessary smartphone, a stable WI-FI, and inexpensive electricity, you can start mining crypto within minutes. The main disadvantages are very small earnings, and the smartphone will quickly fall into disrepair.

What are the alternatives to mining?

Staking is another method of cryptocurrency mining. In the case of staking, the blockchain rewards you not for providing hardware, but for keeping some of the cryptos you have in a special deposit to develop the system. It's simple and profitable.

Team that worked on the article

Andrey Mastykin is an experienced author, editor, and content strategist who has been with Traders Union since 2020. As an editor, he is meticulous about fact-checking and ensuring the accuracy of all information published on the Traders Union platform. Andrey focuses on educating readers about the potential rewards and risks involved in trading financial markets.

He firmly believes that passive investing is a more suitable strategy for most individuals. Andrey's conservative approach and focus on risk management resonate with many readers, making him a trusted source of financial information.

Also, Andrey is a member of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (membership card No. 4574, international certificate UKR4492).

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Olga Shendetskaya has been a part of the Traders Union team as an author, editor and proofreader since 2017. Since 2020, Shendetskaya has been the assistant chief editor of the website of Traders Union, an international association of traders. She has over 10 years of experience of working with economic and financial texts. In the period of 2017-2020, Olga has worked as a journalist and editor of laftNews news agency, economic and financial news sections. At the moment, Olga is a part of the team of top industry experts involved in creation of educational articles in finance and investment, overseeing their writing and publication on the Traders Union website.

Mirjan Hipolito is a journalist and news editor at Traders Union. She is an expert crypto writer with five years of experience in the financial markets. Her specialties are daily market news, price predictions, and Initial Coin Offerings (ICO).

Yield

Yield refers to the earnings or income derived from an investment. It mirrors the returns generated by owning assets such as stocks, bonds, or other financial instruments.

Ethereum

Ethereum is a decentralized blockchain platform and cryptocurrency that was proposed by Vitalik Buterin in late 2013 and development began in early 2014. It was designed as a versatile platform for creating decentralized applications (DApps) and smart contracts.

Bitcoin

Bitcoin is a decentralized digital cryptocurrency that was created in 2009 by an anonymous individual or group using the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto. It operates on a technology called blockchain, which is a distributed ledger that records all transactions across a network of computers.

Copy trading

Copy trading is an investing tactic where traders replicate the trading strategies of more experienced traders, automatically mirroring their trades in their own accounts to potentially achieve similar results.

Cryptocurrency

Cryptocurrency is a type of digital or virtual currency that relies on cryptography for security. Unlike traditional currencies issued by governments (fiat currencies), cryptocurrencies operate on decentralized networks, typically based on blockchain technology.

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