Mobile miner for phone: A complete review of features in 2025

What is mobile mining and why it is not the same as ASIC mining

Mining digital assets through a smartphone is a completely different matter than traditional mining. Instead of purchasing expensive specialized equipment, the user simply downloads a mobile app that uses the device’s computational resources (CPU processor or, in rare cases, GPU ) to solve cryptographic problems. For the computations performed, the system awards cryptocurrency rewards.

This approach has opened digital asset mining to millions of people who do not have access to farms or high-end equipment.

Explosive growth of mobile miners in 2023-2024: what has changed

Several factors simultaneously created ideal conditions for the spread of mobile mining:

Technology accessibility — in developing countries, cheap smartphones with decent performance have appeared, capable of performing basic calculations.

Wave of new projects — Pi Network, Bee Network, Electroneum, and similar platforms offered an integrated environment with a low entry barrier. Just install the app and press a button every day.

Web3 revolution — growing attention to decentralized systems and crypto culture has made mobile mining part of the mainstream.

Alternative to investments — for beginners, it was an opportunity to try crypto without risking their own money and without purchasing equipment.

By the end of 2024, mobile mining apps had been downloaded hundreds of millions of times, and this trend continues into 2025.

Which coins can you really mine with a smartphone

Not all cryptocurrencies support mobile mining. Here are those that actually work:

Monero (XMR) — a legendary choice for CPU mining thanks to the RandomX algorithm. Specifically designed so that ASIC devices do not gain an unfair advantage.

Electroneum (ETN) — pioneer in the field of smartphone-focused mining. Originally conceived as a mobile solution.

Pi Network (PI) — does not use traditional calculations; instead, it distributes tokens for social activity and network participation.

Bee Network — copies the Pi model, allowing users to build referral networks and earn rewards.

TON (The Open Network) — not mined directly, but Telegram users can participate through staking and node support.

DuinoCoin, Verus Coin, and others — niche projects with active communities and real CPU mining.

Bitcoin and Ethereum can never be mined on a smartphone — their complexity requires industrial capacities.

Mechanics: how exactly does a phone miner work

The process is similar to traditional mining but in a compact format:

Solving cryptographic problems — the smartphone performs mathematical calculations necessary to confirm blockchain transactions.

Connecting to a pool — the device joins a network of other miners (or operates independently), increasing overall computational power.

Reward distribution — a successful block solution yields a reward, which is shared among participants proportionally to their contribution.

There are two main approaches:

1. Real mining — apps like MinerGate genuinely use the smartphone’s CPU for hash functions. This depends on the processor, temperature, and power consumption.

2. Simulated/cloud mining — platforms like Pi Network or StormGain simulate mining, but rewards are awarded based on activity, network reputation, and daily checks. Actual calculations happen on remote servers.

What happens to your smartphone during intensive work

When the processor runs at maximum, the device experiences serious stress:

Overheating — without active cooling (fans are absent), component temperatures quickly reach critical levels. In hot climates or with a case, the situation worsens.

Critical performance drops — the system may automatically reduce CPU frequency or even reboot to protect from overheating.

Catastrophic battery wear — the battery degrades 2-3 times faster. After several months of intensive mining, capacity can drop by 20-40%, significantly reducing runtime.

Slowing down everything else — browsers freeze, apps lag, videos buffer. Most CPU resources are occupied with mining, leaving little for other processes.

Accelerated component wear — the motherboard, power chips, and even the screen degrade faster due to constant load and heat. Budget or old models are especially vulnerable.

Hidden background processes — some malicious apps run mining even when the screen is off, making the device constantly active and overheated.

Conclusion: mobile mining is not only low-yield but also a serious health risk for your device, potentially halving or tripling its lifespan.

Actual performance of modern smartphones

Modern flagships (Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, Apple A17 Pro) can show 1-2 H/s (hashes per second) during continuous operation. Sounds decent, but in practice:

• At 1 H/s, you mine about ~$0.05-0.10 per day
• Electricity costs often exceed the earned income
• For budget devices, figures are 5-10 times lower

Nevertheless, for testing crypto ecosystems, training beginners, or participating in emerging projects, mobile miners remain a viable tool.

Main types of mobile mining applications

Real CPU mining apps

Examples: MinerGate, CryptoTab, Electroneum, AntPool Mobile

Pros: honest mechanism, direct link between calculations and rewards Cons: high power consumption, significant device wear

Cloud/simulated mining

Examples: StormGain Cloud Miner, Pi Network, Bee Network

Pros: minimal load on the smartphone, just one click every 4 hours Cons: opaque reward mechanisms, uncertain token value

Top verified services for mobile miners this year

MinerGate Mobile Miner — supports Monero, Bytecoin, AEON, and other CPU coins. Requires a relatively powerful device but provides real income (albeit modest).

CryptoTab Browser — browser with integrated mining feature; earnings depend on activity. Criticized for low profit and opaque payouts.

Pi Network — downloaded over 50 million times; rewards are given for daily button presses. The token is not yet openly traded, but a listing on major exchanges is being prepared.

Bee Network — similar to Pi, focusing on teams and referral bonuses. Mechanics are similar; the outcome is unknown.

StormGain Cloud Miner — cloud BTC mining without device load. Easy to use but with significant fees.

How to start mobile mining completely free

Most popular projects do not require deposits:

• Pi Network — install, press the button daily
• Bee Network — same, plus invite friends
• StormGain Cloud Miner — click every 4 hours, BTC is credited automatically

Pros: zero financial risk, can try without consequences Cons: very low income, entirely dependent on developers’ long-term strategy, which can change abruptly

Protection against fakes and scam apps

The mobile mining ecosystem is full of fakes and pyramids. Here’s how to avoid them:

Download only from official stores — Google Play and App Store at least partially filter out malware. APK files from unknown sites often contain viruses or hidden scripts for data theft.

Read reviews and ratings — if an app promises “Bitcoin effortlessly” but has 2.0 stars and complaints about withdrawal issues, it’s a red flag.

Beware of VIP promises — paid subscriptions and “accelerators” are almost always schemes to extract real money. The economy doesn’t work that way.

Use 2FA everywhere — two-factor authentication on wallets and exchanges protects against hacking even if the password is stolen.

Install antivirus — especially on Android, where security is weaker than on iOS.

Use VPN if needed — when connecting to open Wi-Fi networks, use a VPN to prevent interceptors from stealing data.

Golden rule — if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Real figures: how much can you earn

Typical earnings:

• MinerGate on a powerful phone — $0.08-0.20 per day (depending on network difficulty)
• CryptoTab — $0.02-0.10 per day
• Pi Network/Bee Network — depends on the exchange rate (potentially $1-10 for accumulated tokens, but this is speculation)
• StormGain — $0.05-0.15 per day

In practice, most users earn $0.01-0.30 per day, which amounts to $0.30-9 per month. This is more of an educational experience than a stable income source.

Main risks and why they are underestimated

Battery degradation — especially critical, reduces battery life by 30-50% within a few months of active use.

Overheating and damage — in summer or hot countries, the likelihood of hardware failure increases.

Data theft — scam apps collect personal info or include hidden mining scripts.

Financial scams — hundreds of fake apps look legitimate but never pay out.

Project unpredictability — Pi Network or Bee Network may never gain real value, leaving users with useless tokens.

Final verdict: is it worth doing in 2025

For beginners — yes, try it if you see it as an educational experience and a way to understand how crypto works. Risks are minimal, earnings are tiny, but knowledge is priceless.

For experienced traders — no, don’t waste time. The profitability does not justify the effort and device risks. Better to invest money in trading or staking.

Practical recommendations:

• Start with projects that require no financial investment (Pi, Bee, StormGain)
• Don’t use your main smartphone, get an old or spare device
• Carefully read reviews before installing each app
• Follow official news and developer announcements
• Don’t believe promises of quick riches

Frequently asked questions

Is it really possible to earn? Yes, but the income is measured in cents or dollars per month. It’s not financial independence but more of a hobby with micro-rewards.

Which service is most reliable? MinerGate, CryptoTab, StormGain, Pi Network, and Bee Network are the most proven options. But none guarantees high profits. Always check reviews and withdrawal conditions.

Is it dangerous to install such apps? Security depends on the source. Download only from Google Play or App Store, check ratings, and do not grant access to sensitive data without necessity.

Which coins are actually mined? Mainly Monero, Electroneum, Pi Network, Bee Network, and cloud Bitcoin via StormGain. Bitcoin and Ethereum cannot be mined on a smartphone.

Are initial investments needed? No, most projects offer free start. Paid features and VIP subscriptions promise acceleration but are often a waste of money.

Does it harm the phone? Yes, especially with prolonged operation. Constant load causes overheating, accelerates battery wear, and can shorten device lifespan. Use an old smartphone if serious.

Can mined cryptocurrency be withdrawn? Depends on the platform. MinerGate and CryptoTab allow withdrawal to crypto wallets; Pi Network currently does not have a full withdrawal mechanism — the coin is in the process of listing on exchanges.