Mining cryptocurrency is often seen as a simple, passive way to earn digital coins. With the rise of mobile technology, many people are now searching for ways to mine crypto directly from their phones.
In the past, mining required a hefty investment—setting up a rig could cost thousands of dollars. But today, several apps let you mine select cryptocurrencies using just your smartphone, and many of them are completely free.
Still, with so many apps out there—and quite a few scams—it can be hard to know where to start. That’s why I’ve put together this guide to the top free and legit crypto mining apps for both Android and iOS.
Each app listed here has been personally tested, is free to join, and comes with a quick summary so you can easily find the ones that best match your needs.
How Much Can You Earn with Mobile Crypto Mining?
As crypto-mining technology has evolved, more apps now promise you can mine cryptocurrency directly from your smartphone. A decade ago, this would’ve sounded impossible—but thanks to altcoins (alternative cryptocurrencies to Bitcoin), it’s become a reality.
That said, it’s important to set realistic expectations. Mining with your phone is very different from traditional mining with a high-powered rig. Traditional rigs require a large upfront investment, but they offer much higher computing power—and in turn, higher earnings.
Mobile devices simply can’t match that power, so you won’t make anywhere near what you could with a professional setup. In fact, earnings from mobile mining are usually quite small—just a tiny fraction of what full-scale miners earn.
But here’s the upside: most mobile mining apps are completely free to use and require no investment. Once set up, they run in the background and generate passive income. So whatever you earn is pure profit, even if it’s modest. It’s a low-risk way to get started in crypto—and with a little patience, those small amounts can add up.
Keep in mind, though, that most apps don’t involve actual mining in the traditional sense. Instead, they often use cloud mining, where the company provides the hardware and you “rent” access through the app. In my experience (after testing many apps), very few offer genuine, reliable cloud mining.
That’s why I’ll also include a few alternative apps that don’t technically mine crypto, but still allow you to earn free crypto passively from your phone. These are often more realistic and rewarding options.
Also, note that most of these apps won’t mine major coins like Bitcoin or Ethereum. Instead, they mine altcoins—which still have real monetary value and can often be traded for more stable cryptocurrencies. You can convert them to Bitcoin or Ethereum for more security, or hold onto them in case their value increases.
In short, mobile mining won’t make you rich, but it’s a good way to dip your toes into the world of crypto without spending a dime.
Avoid These Crypto Mining Scams on Android and iPhone
If you're searching for legit crypto mining apps on Android or iPhone, you might be tempted to browse the Google Play Store or Apple App Store for options. But relying solely on these platforms isn't the safest approach.
The truth is, many apps listed there make big claims without backing them up. You often have no way of verifying whether the developers actually own any mining equipment or if their app truly enables cloud mining or crypto earnings.
While it’s possible to find a few legit apps, most of what you’ll encounter are either time-wasters or flat-out scams. Some even lure users with flashy promises of huge profits—only to deliver nothing.
As a general rule, if an app promises unrealistically high earnings for little to no effort, it’s best to steer clear. Always do your research before downloading, and focus on platforms that have a proven track record.
Top 7 Crypto Mining Apps for Android and iOS
Before diving into the best mining apps for Android and iPhone, it’s important to clarify something: most smartphones can’t perform traditional crypto mining.
That’s because mining requires a level of computing power that mobile devices simply don’t have—and mining apps like those used on full-scale rigs aren’t available in app stores.
Instead, the apps I’m about to share fall into two main categories: cloud mining apps and crypto reward apps. These platforms either let you earn through cloud-based mining or offer free crypto via daily claims or passive tasks. The benefit is that they won’t drain your battery or affect your phone’s performance like traditional mining would.
Please note, this isn’t a ranked list. The best app for you depends on your personal goals, the type of cryptocurrency you're interested in, and how much time you're willing to invest.
I regularly test new apps, so this list will be updated with the latest and most reliable options. Feel free to bookmark this page and check back for future updates.
1. Pawns – Earn Bitcoin by Sharing Your Internet
- Availability: Global
- Payout Options: Bitcoin, PayPal, gift cards
- Minimum Payout: $5
- Bonus: $1 welcome bonus when signing up through the referral link
- More Info: Read the full Pawns review
Pawns is a passive income app that lets you earn Bitcoin simply by sharing your unused internet bandwidth. Once installed, it runs in the background and earns you money automatically—no effort required.
When your balance reaches $5, you can withdraw your earnings via Bitcoin, PayPal, or choose from a selection of gift cards. It’s a simple and low-effort way to get started with crypto from your phone.
If you sign up using the referral link, you’ll receive a $1 bonus instantly, giving you a head start.
2. Grass.io – Passive Crypto with Internet Sharing
- Availability: Global
- Payout Method: Grass (native cryptocurrency)
- Minimum Payout: No manual withdrawal; distributed via airdrops
- More Info: Read the full GetGrass review
Grass.io (formerly GetGrass) offers a unique way to earn crypto passively by sharing your unused internet bandwidth. Once installed, the app runs in the background—there’s nothing else you need to do.
Unlike other apps, you can’t cash out whenever you want. Instead, earnings are paid out during scheduled airdrops in the form of the platform’s own token, Grass.
In my experience, Grass.io provides more transparent and fair rewards than many similar apps, and it’s incredibly easy to set up and use. If you’re looking for a hands-off way to earn crypto, it’s definitely worth a try.
3. Coin App – Earn Crypto by Moving Around
- Availability: Nearly worldwide
- Payout Options: Bitcoin, Ethereum, XYO, electronics
- Minimum Payout: Varies by reward
- More Info: Read the full Coin App review
Coin App is a geomining app that rewards you for simply moving around. Once you install it and tap the start button, the app begins collecting digital coins as you travel—from running and walking to commuting to work.
While you’re not technically mining traditional cryptocurrency, you’ll earn the app’s native tokens, which can later be exchanged for real rewards like Bitcoin, Ethereum, XYO, or even electronics.
Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast or just someone who commutes daily, Coin App turns your everyday movement into a passive crypto-earning opportunity. It works on both Android and iOS, and is available to users almost anywhere in the world.
4. Pi Network – Mine Crypto Without a Rig
- Availability: Worldwide
- Payout Method: N/A (currently in development)
- Minimum Payout: Not available yet
- More Info: Read the full Pi Network review
Pi Network is a unique mobile mining app created by Stanford graduates that lets you mine its native cryptocurrency, Pi, without expensive hardware or technical setup.
Getting started is simple: download the app, log in, and tap the mine button. Mining sessions last 24 hours—after that, you just need to open the app again and tap to restart. It runs in the background without draining your battery or resources.
At the time of writing, Pi is not yet publicly traded, so it doesn’t have a confirmed monetary value. The app is still completing its KYC (Know Your Customer) process and preparing for full launch. Once that happens, users will likely be able to exchange their Pi tokens for real-world value.
Pi Network is available globally and works on both Android and iOS devices. While it’s still in development, it’s a promising app worth keeping an eye on—especially if you want to mine without upfront costs.
5. Honeygain – Passive Crypto Earnings from Shared Internet
- Availability: Worldwide
- Payout Options: JMPT (crypto), PayPal
- Minimum Payout: No threshold for JMPT; $20 for PayPal
- Bonus: $5 sign-up bonus
- More Info: Read the full Honeygain review
Honeygain offers a simple and passive way to earn crypto by sharing your unused internet connection. Once installed on your Android or iOS device, the app runs quietly in the background while you’re online.
You can choose to get paid in JMPT, Honeygain’s own cryptocurrency, with no payout threshold, or opt for PayPal, which requires a $20 minimum balance to withdraw. New users also receive a $5 bonus just for signing up.
If you’re looking for an effortless entry point into earning crypto passively, Honeygain is one of the easiest apps to get started with.
Sign Up Now on Honeygain6. Cointiply – Earn Crypto Through Tasks and Faucets
- Availability: Worldwide
- Payout Options: Bitcoin, Litecoin, Dogecoin, Dash
- Minimum Payout: $3.50 (altcoins), $5 for Bitcoin
- More Info: Read the full Cointiply review
Cointiply is a popular GPT (Get-Paid-To) platform that lets you earn crypto by completing various online tasks. One of its easiest features is the crypto faucet, where you click a button to claim free coins—though the rewards improve the more active you are on the site.
You can also boost your earnings by watching videos, answering surveys, or completing offers. The more tasks you complete, the more frequent and higher your faucet payouts become.
Once you reach $3.50, you can withdraw your earnings in Dogecoin, Dash, or Litecoin. If you prefer Bitcoin, the threshold is slightly higher at $5.
Cointiply works worldwide and is a solid option if you're looking for flexible ways to earn cryptocurrency from your phone or computer.
7. CryptoTab – Crypto Mining Browser (With Caution)
- Availability: Worldwide
- Payout Method: Bitcoin
- Minimum Payout: 0.00001 BTC
- More Info: Read the full CryptoTab review and update
CryptoTab is a mobile web browser that claims to let you mine Bitcoin directly from your phone. After installing the browser, you can activate the mining feature and even adjust the mining speed to reduce battery drain and avoid slowing down your device.
While it was once a popular and functional option, recent issues with payouts have raised concerns. Both I and many users have experienced problems receiving earnings, which is why I no longer recommend CryptoTab.
However, I’ve included it here for transparency—since many still ask about it. If you're considering using CryptoTab, I highly suggest reading the full update to understand the risks before getting started.
Final Thoughts
So that concludes the guide of the best mining apps for Android and iPhone. As you can see, most of the apps listed above will work with both mobile operating systems, so they are quite flexible. Simply choose which app/s will suit your preferences and install them on your device.
You can even use several apps at the same time as long as they are not doing any traditional mining since it will affect your device’s performance and battery consumption. I will keep updating this list if there are any new app you can download, so make sure to bookmark this page and check on it from time to time for new opportunities.
If you have any comments, questions, or you know of any mining apps for Android and iPhone that you think belong in this guide, I would love to hear from you in a comment below.