Cryptocurrency mining -adding new transaction blocks to a blockchain and minting new units of the coin- is an important activity for the growth and stability of blockchains and cryptocurrencies. Although traditional crypto mining is energy intensive and mostly performed using powerful computers, there are newer methods of mining crypto on phone to offset the energy requirement and further decentralize mining.
Looking for how to mine Bitcoin on mobile or mine other cryptocurrencies? The process is surprisingly easy and often less complicated than mining on desktops and advanced computers. Mobile mining offers on-the-go access for miners, bringing a new era of accessibility for everyone.
This article provided an in-depth guide to begin mining cryptocurrencies on mobile devices.
The Rise of Mobile Mining
Crypto mining on phone devices has gone through many phases to reach the present levels, where anyone with a mobile device can mine crypto at the tap of a button. There are three main areas that developers managed to build on to make mobile mining possible. These are:
- Mobile computing power: Mining algorithms were first built for computers due to their required energy and processing speed. But developers found a way to design mining algorithms that work well with mobile, with low energy consumption, and work within the limits of mobile processors. The design of more efficient chips and processors makes it possible to mine crypto on mobile phones.
- Mobile networking: advances in mobile networking allows mobile miners to connect to mining pools remotely without bandwidth issues, network failure, or latency. This is crucial to the stability of the mining process.
- Mining apps: mobile mining apps are designed to be user-friendly, allowing miners to start mining at the click of a button. They are also designed to allow users to mine various cryptocurrencies or a dedicated blockchain.
Cryptocurrencies mine app are available to mobile users globally. Some of the benefits they offer are:
- Convenience
- Accessibility
- Cost-effectiveness
- Potential to earn mining rewards
- Contributes to the stability and growth of blockchains
Although mobile mining provides an easier and less energy-intensive way to mine cryptocurrencies, traditional crypto mining on advanced computers is more effective and profitable.
Types of Mobile Mining
There are different methods of mining cryptocurrency on phone, including CPU and cloud (pool) mining.
1. CPU mining
Mobile CPU mining is the most common type of mobile mining, involving the CPU of mobile devices to mine cryptocurrencies. CPU mining is less profitable than desktop mining, although it is relatively easy to set up on any mobile device with a decent CPU. This is because mobile CPUs' hash rate (processing power) is relatively low and insufficient to return huge profits.
Pros
- Easy to setup
- Requires no specialized hardware
- Energy consumption is low based on mobile devices, but continuous mining may consume more energy.
Cons
- Not profitable
- It can be CPU intensive and interrupt normal operations of mobile devices
2. Cloud mining
Cloud mining is another type of mobile mining that involves renting hash rates from a cloud mining service. This means miners do not need to own any mining hardware but require an app on their mobile device to connect and rent the hash rate they need. The cloud mining service owns and maintains the mining hardware.
Pros
- More profitable than CPU mining
- It does not require specialized hardware
- Mining software is user-friendly
- It does not consume so much energy
Cons
- It may be more expensive to rent hash rates
- It can be risky, especially when installing third-party software.
Here are some considerations if you're thinking of how to mine cryptocurrency on phone.
- Energy consumption: mobile mining can consume a significant amount of energy if mining goes on for a long period. Although mobile mining is designed to work within the energy consumption of mobile devices, some mining algorithms consume more CPU power than others and can quickly use up the energy supply in the mobile device. It is best to check the energy consumption of the mobile mining software and your phone’s capacity before mining.
- Profitability: the profitability of mobile ming depends on several factors, such as the type of cryptocurrency, the hash rate of the mobile device, and the current mining difficulty the algorithm uses. The current market value of the cryptocurrency also impacts profitability. Based on these factors, some cryptocurrencies are not worth mining due to low profitability, but they help miners contribute to the blockchain's security and stability.
Choosing the best type of mobile mining depends on the needs and goals of miners. Mobile mining provides a convenient and less-expensive way to mine cryptocurrencies and is a good option for new crypto miners looking to begin mining.
Mobile Mining Apps and Platforms
Here are some of the popular mobile mining applications:
1. Minergate
Minergate offers a variety of features, including CPU and GPU mining, cloud mining, and a mobile app. The mobile app allows users to mine cryptocurrencies directly from their smartphones. Minergate supports a variety of cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Dash.
2. CryptoTab
CryptoTab is the best cryptocurrency mining app that allows users to mine Bitcoin using a proprietary technology called "Tabby," which allows users to mine Bitcoin even when their mobile device is idle. The app also provides real-time mining data so that users can track their progress and earnings. CryptoTab only supports Bitcoin.
3. NiceHash
NiceHash is a marketplace for hash power. Users can rent hash power from other users, or they can sell their hash power. NiceHash also offers a mobile app that allows users to manage their mining operations from their smartphones. NiceHash supports a variety of cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Dash.
4. Minerstat
Minerstat is a mining monitoring and management platform. The platform allows users to monitor their mining operations from a single dashboard. Minerstat also offers a mobile app that allows users to control their mining operations from their smartphones. Minerstat supports a variety of cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Dash.
5. StormGain
StormGain is a cryptocurrency trading platform that also offers mobile mining. Users can mine Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin using the StormGain mobile app. StormGain supports Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin.
Comparison of features, user experience, and supported cryptocurrencies
Feature |
Minergate |
CryptoTab |
NiceHash |
Minerstat |
StormGain |
CPU and GPU mining |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Cloud mining |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Mobile app |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
User-friendly interface |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Real-time mining data |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Supported cryptocurrencies |
Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Dash |
Bitcoin |
Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Dash |
Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Dash |
Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin |
Minergate, CryptoTab, NiceHash, Minerstat, and StormGain are widely used for mining cryptocurrencies. Mobile mining apps are also designed as games that reward users with cryptocurrencies as they mine/play.
The mobile cryptocurrency space is constantly evolving, and developers work to design some of the best miner apps for mobile devices. Each platform provides unique advantages, but they also have their unique drawdowns. The key is to find a platform that meets your goals and provides the best mining returns for you.
Mining on Different Mobile Operating Systems
Some of the best mining apps you’ll find are available on both iOS and Android platforms—crypto mining in mobile in various ways, such as mobile CPU and cloud mining. iOS and Android are operating systems available for mobile devices. They are different in their programming language and mining algorithms.
Most apps are available on both platforms, but some apps are only available on iOS or Android rather than on both. Some mobile crypto mining apps available on both iOS and Android are
- CryptoTab: CryptoTab is a browser that allows users to mine Bitcoin in the background while browsing the internet. CryptoTab is available on PC, MacOS, Android, and iOS. Miners can increase their mining hash rate by adding more users to their mining pools.
- Pi Network: Pi is the native token of the Pi Network. The app was only available on Android but became available on iOS after the beta stage. Pi has launched its mainnet and is set to roll out other features.
- NiceHash: this app allows users to rent mining hash power from cloud mining providers. NiceHash is available on Android and iOS but does not require the phone CPU for mining.
- MinerGate: MinerGate is one of the largest cryptocurrency mining pools accessible via the MinerGate app. The app is available on both Android and iOS.
- Bondex: this is another app for crypto mining on Android. Bondex is a blockchain-driven social hub for professionals that allows users to mine the token for in-community utility.
- Sidra: Sidra is a new cryptocurrency compliant with Islamic finance principles. The app is available on Android and iOS.
App |
iOS |
Android |
CryptoTab |
Yes |
Yes |
NiceHash |
Yes |
Yes |
MinerGate |
Yes |
Yes |
Bondex |
Yes |
Yes |
Sidra |
Yes |
Yes |
There are many mobile apps for mining cryptocurrencies, from dedicated platforms to platforms that allow miners to mine various cryptocurrencies. Their availability on Android and iOS increases accessibility so that users with compatible mobile devices (smartphones, tablets, iPads) can mine cryptocurrencies from anywhere.
Factors to Consider and Best Practices
There are several important factors to consider to mine Bitcoin on mobile successfully. Some of these are:
- Device specification: your mobile device's CPU and operating software version determine the compatibility with mining apps. Most mining apps require the minimum CPU and operating software version that they can use. Older devices with less powerful hardware may need help to mine cryptocurrencies.
- Battery usage: mobile mining can put much strain on mobile devices, drawing much power from their batteries. In cases of extended mining, mobile devices may be kept plugged in to prevent failure of the mining process.
- Data security: miners must diligently research the data collection policy of crypto mining apps before they install them. Some mobile miner apps are malicious and may collect other data from users’ devices. It is best to use crypto mining hosting services for secure crypto mining.
Some best practices for maximizing mining efficiency and profitability
- Choose the right cryptocurrency: Some cryptocurrencies are more difficult to mine than others, so choose a less difficult cryptocurrency.
- Use an efficient mining app: Several mining apps are available for iOS and Android devices. Use the best cryptocurrency mining app for Android based on your research.
- Set your device to run in battery-saver mode: This will help to reduce the strain on your device's battery.
- Close other apps: If you are not using other apps, close them to free up resources for mining.
- Only mine when your device is plugged in.
The Era of Mobile Mining
The increased search for how to mine crypto on mobile indicates miners are embracing the new era of mobile mining. The key attractions are accessibility and convenience for mobile miners who do not have the financial or physical capacity to mine crypto using desktop and advanced mining machines.
Most cryptocurrency miner app platforms are available for iOS and Android users who can mine at the push of a button or join mining pools without using their phone CPUs. Mobile mining provides users with on-the-go access to their mining accounts.
The impact of platforms that mine mobile cryptocurrencies includes further decentralization of cryptocurrency mining and use. Mobile mining may also become the future trend that removes the burden of massive hash rate consumption in traditional mining. The future of mobile mining will be impacted by technologies developed to improve mining efficiency.