Crypto mining on smartphones: What you need to know in 2025

Quick Answer: Is it really possible to make money?

In short: yes, but very little. Users earn approximately $0.01–$0.30 per day, which adds up to a few dollars per month. It’s a way to get acquainted with the crypto environment, not a livelihood. Main downsides are rapid battery degradation (by 30–50%), phone overheating, and many fake apps.

What is cryptocurrency mining on a smartphone?

When you install a crypto mining app on your phone, its processor starts performing complex mathematical calculations. For each solved block, the system awards you in cryptocurrency. The trick is that you don’t need to buy expensive ASIC miners or graphics cards — the power of the smartphone itself is used.

There are two approaches:

• Real mining — the processor actually calculates hashes (for example, MinerGate with Monero)
• Simulation — the app simply credits rewards for activity within the ecosystem (Pi Network, Bee Network)

Why did mobile mining surge in 2023–2024?

The wave of popularity happened due to several reasons:

1. Internet and powerful smartphones availability — even in developing countries, decent phones at low prices appeared
2. New crypto projects — many apps with low entry barriers and no financial investment requirements emerged
3. Web3 culture — decentralized systems became popular, and mobile mining fit into this trend
4. Alternative to cloud investments — people wanted to try crypto without risking money

How does the process work technically?

When you launch a mining app, your smartphone connects to a pool — a network of other miners. Together, they solve cryptographic tasks to confirm transactions in the blockchain. Upon success, the reward is distributed among pool members based on their contribution.

The device undergoes intensive work:

CPU load: runs almost at full capacity, constantly performing calculations. This greatly increases power consumption.

Overheating: most smartphones cool passively, without fans. Under heavy load, temperature can rise to dangerous levels, especially in summer or if the phone is in a case. Critical overheating causes the device to shut down automatically for protection.

Battery drains quickly: charge-discharge cycles accelerate wear. After several months of active mining, capacity drops by 15–30%.

Other apps slow down: most resources are allocated to mining, causing other programs to lag, the screen to respond slower, and possible freezes.

Component wear: system board, power microchips, even the screen — all wear out faster under constant load. This especially affects budget models.

Background processes: some apps continue mining even when the screen is off, keeping the phone under constant stress.

What coins can be mined on a phone?

Monero (XMR) — optimized for CPU mining thanks to the RandomX algorithm. Remains one of the best for smartphones.

Electroneum (ETN) — specially designed with a focus on mobile mining. The first coin to integrate simulated mining.

Pi Network (PI) — does not use real calculations but issues tokens for ecosystem participation. The most popular project — over 50 million users.

Bee Network — similar to Pi with a social model of attracting new participants.

TON (The Open Network) — Telegram’s cryptocurrency. Not mined directly on the phone but involves staking by mobile users.

DuinoCoin, Verus Coin — less known but with active communities and CPU mining.

Bitcoin and Ethereum cannot be mined on a phone — too high complexity.

Types of mining on mobile devices

Real mining apps

MinerGate Mobile Miner — supports real algorithms, works with Monero, Bytecoin, and others. Requires a powerful phone, offers real but modest income.

CryptoTab Browser — a browser with mining features, though rewards are mainly for activity.

StormGain Cloud Miner — offers cloud Bitcoin mining. Does not load the device; just press a button every 4 hours.

Simulated mining apps

Pi Network — daily button press and ecosystem participation. No computational resources needed.

Bee Network — similar to Pi, allows building a “team” and earning rewards from invitees.

Best mining apps in 2025

• MinerGate Mobile Miner — real mining, but requires a powerful device
• CryptoTab Browser — browser with rewards
• Pi Network — most popular, preparing for listing on major exchanges
• Bee Network — alternative to Pi
• StormGain Cloud Miner — cloud option for lazy users

Efficiency and profitability vary greatly. Pi Network is not yet publicly traded, but if successful, the token could be worth $1–$10 per token.

Mining without financial investments

Most popular apps allow starting without investments:

• Pi Network — just press the button daily
• Bee Network — Pi’s analogue with the ability to invite friends
• StormGain — earning BTC for daily activity

Pros: zero risk, no money lost.

Cons: very low income, depends on whether the project remains active and if the token gains value.

Real numbers: how much can you earn?

On a flagship phone like Galaxy S22 Ultra with MinerGate, you can mine about 0.0004 XMR per day, which in July 2025 is about $0.08.

On average, users earn $0.01–$0.30 per day depending on:

• app type
• device power
• activity time
• chosen cryptocurrency

That’s a few dollars per month. Maybe enough for coffee, but not a stable income.

Main risks and problems

Rapid battery wear: capacity drops by 30–50% in a few months of active mining.

Device overheating: especially problematic in summer or on budget models.

Security threats: malicious apps collect data, include hidden mining, or infect with malware. Fake apps are also present in Google Play and App Store.

Financial scams: dozens of fake apps promise quick income but pay nothing.

Slow phone operation: most resources go to mining, slowing everything else down.

How to avoid scams

Download only from official stores — Google Play and App Store. They at least partially check apps for viruses.

Avoid APK files from unknown sites — often contain viruses or hidden scripts.

Read reviews and ratings before installing. If an app has low ratings and complaints about withdrawal issues — red flag.

Don’t believe promises of high income — especially if you need to pay for VIP accounts or accelerators. No economic justification.

Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on all crypto wallets and exchanges.

Install antivirus, especially on Android.

Use VPN when connecting to public Wi-Fi to protect your connection.

Simple rule: if an offer sounds too good to be true — it probably is. If an app promises dozens of dollars daily without investments and doesn’t reveal the calculation mechanisms, better avoid it.

Is it worth doing at all?

For crypto beginners — yes, as a way to get familiar with the world without money.

For experienced users — no, the earnings are negligible, and risks of (phone wear, scams) are real.

Practical tips:

• Choose verified apps with good reviews
• Don’t use your main smartphone — get an old one
• Start with projects that don’t require money
• Regularly check official news from developers
• Don’t invest in “accelerators” and “VIP access”

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it really possible to earn on mining with a phone?

Yes, but limited income — from a few cents to a couple of dollars per month. It’s a way to get acquainted with crypto, not a source of income.

Which app is the most reliable?

Most proven: MinerGate, CryptoTab, StormGain Cloud Miner, Pi Network, Bee Network. But none guarantees high profits. Always check reviews and developer reputation.

Is it safe?

Depends on the source and the app itself. Install only from official stores, check reviews, don’t give access to confidential info unless necessary. Scam apps may steal data or include hidden mining.

What crypto can be mined?

Most often Monero (XMR), Electroneum (ETN), Pi Network (PI), Bee Network, DuinoCoin. Cloud mining of Bitcoin via StormGain. Direct mining of Bitcoin and Ethereum on phones is impossible.

Are investments needed?

No, most popular projects offer mining without money. But be cautious with paid features and VIP access — they are often unjustified and may be scams.

Does mining damage the phone?

Yes, especially with prolonged use. Constant load causes overheating, accelerates battery wear, and can significantly shorten device lifespan. It’s recommended to use an old smartphone.

Can I withdraw earned money?

Yes, but depends on the platform. MinerGate and CryptoTab allow withdrawal to crypto wallets. Some have minimum withdrawal thresholds and fees. Pi Network currently doesn’t have a full withdrawal system — the project is still launching.