Before we dive into the top mobile wallets, it’s important to understand one key concept: custody.
Custodial Wallets: These wallets are controlled by a third party—usually an exchange or service provider. They hold your private keys, which means they technically control your Bitcoin. You’re trusting them not to lose your funds, get hacked, or freeze your account.
Example: Coinbase Wallet (on exchange), Cash App
Non-Custodial Wallets: These give you full control of your Bitcoin. Your private keys are stored on your device (or manually backed up), and you alone are responsible for security and recovery. This is in line with the Bitcoin ethos: “Not your keys, not your coins.”
All three wallets featured below are non-custodial, which means you truly own your Bitcoin when you use them.
1. Phoenix Wallet
Type: Mobile Lightning Wallet
Platform: iOS & Android
Custody: Non-custodial
Target user: Lightning-first users looking for seamless microtransactions
Highlights
No manual channel management — channels open and fund automatically
Self-custodial with private keys stored on-device
Instant payments over the Lightning Network
Great for: buying coffee, tipping, or quick mobile payments
Considerations
Not designed for storing large amounts of Bitcoin
Fees for channel management can surprise new users if not understood
Why It’s Great
Phoenix makes Lightning actually work for regular people. If you want fast, reliable Bitcoin payments in your pocket, this is as close to “it just works” as Lightning gets.
2. Aqua Wallet
Type: Mobile Bitcoin & Liquid Wallet
Platform: iOS (Android planned)
Custody: Non-custodial
Target user: Privacy-conscious Bitcoiners & those interested in the Liquid Network
Highlights
Supports both Bitcoin and Liquid assets (like stablecoins on Liquid)
Simple interface backed by Blockstream
Tor integration for enhanced privacy
Great for: stacking sats, private transactions, Liquid experiments
Considerations
Still under development with occasional bugs
Lacks Lightning support (for now)
Why It’s Great
If you’re privacy-focused or curious about Layer 2 options like the Liquid Network, Aqua offers a clean and secure mobile experience. It’s one of the few wallets supporting Liquid on mobile.
3. Exodus Wallet
Type: Multi-asset mobile wallet
Platform: iOS & Android
Custody: Non-custodial
Target user: Beginners or users with multiple crypto assets
Highlights
Beautiful interface, very user-friendly
Built-in exchange features
Supports dozens of cryptocurrencies, not just Bitcoin
Syncs with desktop version
Considerations
Closed-source, which may concern purists
More surface area for attack due to multiple asset support
Why It’s Great
Exodus is perfect for those new to crypto or who hold a variety of assets beyond Bitcoin. Its intuitive design makes crypto accessible—without surrendering your keys.
Final Thoughts: Which Wallet Is Right for You?
Choose Phoenix if you want instant Bitcoin payments over the Lightning Network and don’t want to deal with channels.
Go with Aqua if you’re into privacy, experimentation, or the Liquid Network.
Try Exodus if you’re new to crypto or want a visually rich, all-in-one wallet experience.
Each of these wallets puts you in control of your keys and your Bitcoin—no middlemen, no gatekeepers.
Pro Tip: Install all three and test them with small amounts. You might find each plays a different role in your Bitcoin lifestyle—one for spending, one for saving, one for exploring.
Have you tried any of these? Leave a comment with your experience or let me know what you’d like me to cover next.