In 2024, exploring the world of cryptocurrency has never been easier, and part of that innovation includes mobile crypto mining apps for Android. As you get more into it, you’ll discover that some of those apps are simply better (and safer) than others.
But here’s something you should know before we start: No Android app is actually mining crypto in the traditional sense. Real mining involves hefty computing power, like what’s used with Bitcoin or Dogecoin through Proof-of-Work (PoW). Instead, these apps reward you with tokens for engaging with the app, following their own set rules for distribution.
Best crypto mining apps for Android in 2024
- Pi Network – A crypto project distributing Pi coins through their app using a modified version of the Stellar Consensus Protocol
- Binance – The world’s top crypto exchange has a cloud mining feature
- StormGain – Offers cloud mining and trading with a great user interface
- NiceHash – Leading mining platform and marketplace for buying and selling hashpower
- CryptoTab Browser – Integrates Bitcoin mining with web browsing and offers referral bonuses
- F2Pool – Mobile app from one of the world’s top crypto mining pools
How do crypto mining apps for Android really work?
Before diving into the different crypto mining apps for Android, let’s clear up some misconceptions.
The term “mining” might be a bit misleading when it comes to these apps. The truth is, mobile phones just don’t have the muscle to mine popular cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin in any meaningful way.
Let’s take Bitcoin, for example. Your smartphone doesn’t stand a chance against the supercharged ASIC miners that dominate the BTC mining scene. Trying to mine Bitcoin on your phone would result in two things: wasted electricity and a device that’s probably overheating and struggling to keep up.
Mining crypto is a hardware-heavy task, and mobile devices just aren’t built for that kind of work.
Even if we look at other Proof-of-Work coins like Litecoin, mining them on a mobile phone just isn’t profitable.
So, if an app claims it’s mining a Proof-of-Work coin, there’s probably something else happening behind the scenes. Most likely, you’re earning tiny bits of crypto for watching ads or completing surveys. These rewards are usually so small that it’s hardly worth your time.
That said, the crypto community often throws around the term “mining” loosely to describe getting rewards through an app, even when no real mining is happening.
Some projects use this idea of “mobile mining” as a way to distribute their coins to a lot of users. These apps don’t actually help with blockchain consensus, they just distribute coins to users over time.
On the flip side, there are legit apps that let you manage your crypto mining rigs remotely or even get involved in cloud mining or buying hashrate through a marketplace. That is what this article will look at.
Best crypto mining apps for Android in 2024
In the following section, we’re going to list our top 7 crypto mining apps for Android available in 2024.
1. Pi Network – A crypto project distributing Pi coins through their app
Pi Network is a cryptocurrency project that allows users to “mine” Pi coins using their app. The term “mining” is used in a confusing manner by Pi Network, as the Pi cryptocurrency doesn’t use a Proof-of-Work consensus mechanism.
Instead, it utilizes a modified version of the Stellar Consensus Protocol, which allows users to participate in consensus without requiring a lot of computational resources. This is why the Pi Network app uses roughly the same amount of energy as any other normal Android app.
You can install the Pi Network app to start “mining” Pi coins. The Pi Network app can even “mine” Pi when its closed, as you can close it after starting a mining session. You can increase your Pi mining rate by using various Pi apps or making other contributions to the network.
However, don’t expect to make any major profits from this process unless the Pi coin price increases significantly in the future. Still, the Pi Network app is definitely legit and you could potentially make some profits with it.
2. Binance – The world’s top crypto exchange has a cloud mining feature
The mobile app offered by the Binance cryptocurrency exchange doesn’t just allow you to access a large number of trading products, but it also offers the exchange’s cloud mining feature.
Cloud mining allows users who don’t have mining hardware to indirectly participate in cryptocurrency mining. In the case of Binance, you can purchase a certain amount of hashrate from the Binance Pool mining pool and receive BTC mining rewards to your Funding Wallet on Binance.
On Binance, you can purchase cloud mining products of varying durations, for example 60 days or 100 days. If you want to buy hashrate on Binance, you’ll have to pay with the USDT stablecoin.
3. StormGain – Convenient and comprehensive way to passive income
StormGain offers a combination of cloud mining and trading features. With StormGain, you can mine crypto without investing in expensive hardware, thanks to its cloud mining services powered by the platform’s own mining farms. This setup makes it easy for both beginners and seasoned miners to get involved without needing a dedicated mining rig or technical expertise.
The app’s intuitive interface supports various cryptocurrencies, and it includes educational resources to help new users navigate the crypto space. StormGain also provides built-in market analytics to help you make decisions, along with a secure wallet for managing and storing your mined coins.
These features make StormGain one of the best crypto mining apps for Android. Simply put, it offers a convenient and comprehensive solution for anyone interested in passive income from mining.
4. NiceHash – Leading mining platform and hashrate marketplace
NiceHash is a popular cryptocurrency mining platform that offers a variety of mining solutions for GPU and CPU miners, as well as ASIC miners. One of the most interesting aspects of NiceHash is that it can be used to purchase and sell hashpower.
The NiceHash mobile app can be used to manage cryptocurrency wallets, mining rigs, and your NiceHash account. You can of course also use it to stay on top of your mining rewards. The app also features the NiceHash hashpower marketplace and allows you to place new orders for hashrate or cancel your existing orders.
5. CryptoTab Browser – Crypto mining app for “actual mining”
The CryptoTab browser app integrates a mining feature that allows you to earn from home passively via both your desktop computer and mobile device. It’s designed to mine Bitcoin by utilizing idle computer processors, so that device performance isn’t compromised. You can adjust the mining speed to balance their earnings and battery life.
In a way, this is more real “mining” than most other mining apps. The profits aren’t great, but it’s a legit way to earn a small amount of crypto. Actually, CryptoTab Browser allows you to invite friends and earn bonuses based on their referral’s mining activity, which, in our opinion, can yield way more profits than actual mining.
6. F2Pool – Mobile app from one of the world’s top crypto mining pools
The F2Pool app is a mobile application created by F2Pool, which is one of the world’s leading cryptocurrency mining pools. The mining pool supports Bitcoin, Litecoin, Dogecoin and more than 40 other mineable cryptocurrencies.
To be clear, the F2Pool app does not actually use the user’s mobile phone to mine cryptocurrency. It’s meant as a companion app for users that mine cryptocurrency through F2Pool and want to stay updated with all the relevant information.
You can use the F2Pool app to view real-time information about the profitability of mining hardware, and monitor the hashrate and revenue of your miners. Of course, the app also provides key mining data about different cryptocurrencies, such as the current network hashrate and mining difficulty.
The F2Pool app can also be used to set up alerts which will automatically notify you of important events related to your workers.
The bottom line
Using your mobile phone’s hardware for actual crypto mining (participating in PoW consensus) is not a viable option. You won’t be able to make a profit, and mining could harm your mobile device.
There are “mining” apps that will pay you a small amount of crypto in exchange for viewing advertisements or completing surveys. The rewards offered by such apps are usually too small for them to be worth your time.
Some projects, such as Pi Network, slowly distribute coins to users who install their mobile apps. This kind of distribution method is often called “mining”, but it’s not actual mining.
Mobile apps can be used to manage cryptocurrency mining rigs or participate in cloud mining.
The bottom line is that mobile mining is not the best approach to mining cryptocurrency. If you want to learn more about how to mine profitably, make sure to check out our ultimate guide on cryptocurrency mining.
FAQs
Can I mine crypto on my phone?
While it is possible to mine crypto on your phone, don’t expect to make any profits. Mobile phones are not powerful enough to mine popular Proof-of-Work cryptocurrencies profitably.
There are also “mining” apps that don’t actually mine crypto, but pay users a small amount of crypto in exchange for viewing advertisements or completing surveys. The rewards offered by such apps are usually too small for them to be worth your time.
Can you mine Bitcoin with an Android phone?
Theoretically, it is possible to mine Bitcoin with an Android phone. In practice, however, you will just be wasting electricity and potentially harming your mobile device without making any profits. This is because mobile phones are nowhere near powerful enough to compete with the highly optimized ASIC chips used in Bitcoin mining.
Are there any real crypto mining apps?
There are apps that actually mine crypto, although they are not profitable because mobile phones are not powerful enough to mine crypto profitably.
Is mobile cloud mining profitable?
Mobile cloud mining can be more profitable than direct mining on a phone, but returns are generally low. Profits depend on factors like the cost of cloud mining services and cryptocurrency prices. While it’s less risky for your device, the overall earnings are usually modest.
What are the risks of using crypto mining apps on Android?
Crypto mining apps can overheat your device, drain battery life, and reduce its lifespan. Some apps may even pose security risks, including malware or scams. The earnings are usually far from impressive, and energy costs might outweigh any profits. Always use reputable apps and do proper research.