Best Mobile Bitcoin Wallets 2024: Self-Custodial Options Compared

Your phone is the most convenient place to store spending Bitcoin. But with dozens of wallet options, which one should you choose? We’ve tested the top self-custodial mobile wallets to help you decide.

What Makes a Great Mobile Bitcoin Wallet?

Before diving into specific wallets, let’s establish evaluation criteria:

Security

• Self-custodial: You control the private keys
• Recovery phrase: Standard BIP39 12/24-word backup
• Biometric auth: Face ID, Touch ID, fingerprint
• Open source: Auditable code

Features

• Lightning support: Fast, cheap payments
• On-chain support: Traditional Bitcoin transactions
• BOLT12 offers: Reusable payment addresses
• Address types: Support for modern formats (SegWit, Taproot)

User Experience

• Easy setup: Quick onboarding for beginners
• Clear interface: Intuitive navigation
• Good support: Documentation and help resources
• Active development: Regular updates and improvements

Privacy

• No KYC: No identity verification to use
• Address rotation: New address for each payment
• Coin control: Advanced privacy features

Top Self-Custodial Mobile Wallets

1. Bolt21 - Best for Lightning + BOLT12

Platforms: Android (iOS coming soon)

The Focus: Self-custodial Lightning wallet optimized for mining payouts and everyday payments.

Key Features:

• Native BOLT12 offer support
• Lightning-first design
• Simple, clean interface
• Perfect for Ocean mining payouts
• Zero-fee Lightning receiving

Pros:

• Easiest BOLT12 implementation
• Purpose-built for miners
• True self-custody
• Lightning-optimized

Cons:

• Lightning-focused (on-chain support via swaps)
• Newer wallet (smaller user base)

Best For: Bitcoin miners, Lightning power users, anyone wanting BOLT12 offers

Download: bolt21.io

2. Phoenix - Best for Lightning Simplicity

Platforms: iOS, Android

The Focus: Ultra-simple Lightning wallet that “just works.”

Key Features:

• Automatic channel management
• No manual liquidity management
• Lightning-only
• ACINQ (Lightning developer) built

Pros:

• Easiest Lightning wallet to use
• Reliable, stable
• Great for beginners
• Automated everything

Cons:

• No on-chain sending (only receiving for swaps)
• Small setup fee for first channel
• No BOLT12 yet (coming soon)

Best For: Lightning beginners, everyday spending

Download: phoenix.acinq.co

3. BlueWallet - Best All-Around

Platforms: iOS, Android

The Focus: Full-featured wallet supporting on-chain and Lightning.

Key Features:

• Both on-chain and Lightning
• Watch-only wallets
• Multisig support
• Connect to your own node

Pros:

• Very versatile
• Active development
• Good privacy features
• Hardware wallet support

Cons:

• Lightning is custodial by default (can connect own node)
• More complex for beginners
• No BOLT12 support yet

Best For: Users wanting both on-chain and Lightning in one app

Download: bluewallet.io

4. Muun - Best for Beginners

Platforms: iOS, Android

The Focus: Hybrid wallet that seamlessly handles on-chain and Lightning.

Key Features:

• No channel management
• Automatically routes payments
• Submarine swaps for Lightning
• Very user-friendly

Pros:

• Simplest onboarding
• Works like Venmo/CashApp
• No Lightning complexity
• Good fee management

Cons:

• Higher fees for Lightning (uses swaps)
• Not true Lightning (submarine swaps)
• Larger backup complexity (2-of-2 multisig)

Best For: Complete beginners, users who don’t want to think about Lightning channels

Download: muun.com

5. Breez - Best Open-Source Lightning

Platforms: iOS, Android

The Focus: Full-featured Lightning wallet with advanced capabilities.

Key Features:

• Lightning-only
• Point-of-sale mode
• Podcasting integration
• Open-source

Pros:

• Very feature-rich
• Good for merchants
• Active Lightning community
• Non-custodial

Cons:

• Steeper learning curve
• More complex for casual users
• Can be buggy at times

Best For: Lightning enthusiasts, podcast listeners, small merchants

Download: breez.technology

6. Electrum - Best for Advanced Users

Platforms: Android (desktop also available)

The Focus: Power user wallet with maximum control.

Key Features:

• Full on-chain control
• Lightning support
• Hardware wallet integration
• Coin control
• Custom fees

Pros:

• Maximum flexibility
• Very private (connect to own server)
• Advanced features
• Long track record (since 2011)

Cons:

• Intimidating interface
• Not beginner-friendly
• Mobile version less polished than desktop

Best For: Bitcoin veterans, privacy-conscious users, advanced features

Download: electrum.org

7. Aqua - Best for Multi-Asset

Platforms: iOS, Android

The Focus: Wallet supporting Bitcoin, Lightning, and Liquid Network.

Key Features:

• Bitcoin on-chain
• Lightning
• Liquid Network
• USDT support (Liquid)

Pros:

• Multi-layer support
• Clean interface
• Good for traders
• Liquid for fast settlements

Cons:

• More complex (three different layers)
• Smaller user base
• Liquid is less decentralized

Best For: Users wanting Bitcoin, Lightning, and Liquid in one wallet

Download: aquawallet.io

Quick Comparison Table

Choosing the Right Wallet

For Bitcoin Miners (Ocean, etc.)

Recommendation: Bolt21

• Native BOLT12 support
• Optimized for mining payouts
• Zero-fee receiving

For Lightning Beginners

Recommendation: Phoenix or Muun

• Phoenix: True Lightning, simple UX
• Muun: Even simpler, higher fees

For Everyday Spending

Recommendation: BlueWallet or Bolt21

• BlueWallet: Both on-chain and Lightning
• Bolt21: Lightning-optimized

For Maximum Privacy

Recommendation: Electrum

• Connect to your own server
• Full coin control
• Advanced features

For Merchants

Recommendation: Breez

• Built-in POS
• Invoice management
• Feature-rich

Security Best Practices

Regardless of which wallet you choose:

1. Backup Your Recovery Phrase

• Write it down on paper
• Store it safely offline
• Never take a screenshot
• Verify it works before depositing large amounts

2. Enable Biometric Authentication

• Use Face ID, Touch ID, or fingerprint
• Adds a layer of security for daily access
• Recovery phrase is still the ultimate backup

3. Start Small

• Test with small amounts first
• Practice sending and receiving
• Understand the interface before depositing serious money

4. Keep Your OS Updated

• Install security updates promptly
• Use official app stores only
• Be cautious of phishing apps

5. Consider a Hardware Wallet for Savings

• Mobile wallets are for spending money
• Large amounts should be in cold storage (hardware wallet)
• Think of it like wallet (phone) vs safe (hardware wallet)

Special Mention: Custodial Wallets (Not Recommended)

These wallets hold your keys for you. We don’t recommend them for primary use:

• Wallet of Satoshi: Very easy, but fully custodial
• Strike: Great UX, but not self-custodial
• Cash App: Convenient, but you don’t control the Bitcoin

Remember: Not your keys, not your Bitcoin.

Use these only for spending amounts you can afford to lose, like you would with cash in your physical wallet.

The Future: What’s Coming

BOLT12 Adoption

More wallets will add BOLT12 support in 2024-2025:

• Phoenix (announced)
• BlueWallet (under consideration)
• Others following

Bolt21 already has native support.

Lightning Improvements

• Better channel management
• Lower fees
• Improved reliability
• More LSP options

Privacy Enhancements

• Taproot adoption
• Silent payments
• Improved coin control

Our Recommendation

For most users: Start with Bolt21 (if you need BOLT12) or Phoenix (for simplest Lightning).

As you learn: Experiment with BlueWallet for on-chain + Lightning versatility.

For privacy: Graduate to Electrum with your own server.

For savings: Use a hardware wallet (Coldcard, Trezor, Ledger) and only keep spending money on mobile.

Download Bolt21

Ready to experience the future of Lightning payments with BOLT12 support?

Bolt21 Features:

• Self-custodial security
• Native BOLT12 offers
• Perfect for mining payouts
• Simple, clean interface
• Zero-fee Lightning receiving

Download today and start receiving instant Bitcoin payments.

Related Articles:

• Self-Custodial Wallets: Why You Should Control Your Keys
• BOLT12 Offers: Reusable Lightning Addresses
• Payment Security: Protecting Your Bitcoin