Mobile Mining 2025: Can It Really Make Money or Is It Just Another Trap?

In recent years, mobile mining (майнинг на телефоне) has suddenly transformed from a niche topic into a hot topic of nationwide discussion. Especially between 2023 and 2024, apps like Pi Network and Bee Network have attracted over 50 million users. But here’s the question: is this really a good business, or just an enticing trap?

Why Did Mobile Mining Suddenly Explode in Popularity?

First of all, the conditions are indeed ripe. The widespread internet, decreasing prices of high-performance smartphones, coupled with a new wave of Web3 enthusiasm, have made it possible for ordinary people to participate in the “mining” activity that sounds so cool. No need to buy ASIC miners, no need to set up mining farms, and even no need to spend money—just download an app, tap once a day, and you can “mine coins.”

For beginners, this low-threshold experience is very attractive. Compared to traditional mining investments costing thousands of dollars, mobile mining feels less risky. But this is also where the story begins to unfold differently.

What Coins Can Mobile Phones Mine? The Gap Between Reality and Dreams

Theoretically, a mobile CPU can mine low-demand coins like Monero (XMR) and Electroneum (ETN). But what about actual earnings? A flagship phone (for example, one with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2) running 24/7 might earn only $0.05-$0.10 per day. In other words, less than $30 a month.

Pi Network and Bee Network are even more interesting—they are not “real” mining at all. You can’t see hash rate data or hash verification; you just log in daily and tap a button to “earn rewards.” This is more like a points system. Pi claims to have over 50 million users, but the coin hasn’t even officially listed on exchanges yet. What is its value? No one knows.

As for TON, Bitcoin, Ethereum? Forget it. Mobile computing power simply can’t handle the mining difficulty of these coins.

The True Cost: Your Phone “Gives Its Life” for This

This is something many people overlook. Mining causes real damage to your phone.

Continuous CPU load → device temperature soars → battery cycles double → after a few months, battery capacity drops by 15-30% → system becomes laggy, apps respond slowly → in the long run, the entire motherboard and other chips also age faster.

If you’re using a high-end flagship, you might still get over a year of use. But if it’s a mid- or low-end phone or a device that’s already 3-4 years old, continuous mining could drain it in 3-6 months.

Moreover, some apps quietly start mining processes in the background. Even if you close the app, it still runs. Will your electricity bill go up? Absolutely.

Which Types of Mobile Mining Apps Are Reliable?

Real-time CPU mining:

• MinerGate: Actually uses your computing power to mine Monero, but earnings are tiny (a few cents to a few dimes per day)
• AntPool Mobile: Official app of AntPool, relatively reliable

“Cloud mining”:

• StormGain Cloud Miner: Doesn’t consume your phone’s computing power; you click once every 4 hours to claim BTC rewards. Sounds perfect, but the actual coin amount given is very small, and fees are not low either.

Points/Activity Rewards:

• Pi Network, Bee Network: Log in daily and click, no investment and no loss, but whether the coins can truly be cashed out remains uncertain.

Browser-based mining:

• CryptoTab Browser: Mine while browsing, but most of the earnings come from other users clicking your referral links, not from real computing power contribution.

How to Avoid Getting Scammed? These Tips You Must Know

1. Download only from official app stores (Google Play or App Store). Many APK sites host fake apps that may secretly install malware or directly steal your wallet’s private keys.

2. Check user reviews and complaints. If an app claims to earn $100 daily but reviews are full of “unable to withdraw” or “account banned,” steer clear.

3. Be wary of VIP memberships and acceleration packages. “Recharge $10 to upgrade to VIP, and your earnings will increase tenfold”—this is a standard scam tactic. Most users find no real difference after paying.

4. Enable two-factor authentication. Turn on 2FA for your linked wallets and exchanges to prevent account theft.

5. Use an old phone for testing. If you really want to try mobile mining, find an old spare device and avoid using your main phone.

How Much Can You Earn Per Month? Be Realistic

Even if everything goes smoothly, the earnings from mobile mining are like this:

• High-end flagship phone mining XMR: $2-$5 per month
• Mid-range phone mining XMR: $0.5-$2 per month
• Pi or Bee (assuming they go live on exchanges): entirely depends on the project and market, could be zero

Considering electricity costs (though phone power consumption is low, running 24/7 still costs money) plus device wear and tear (battery depreciation, chip aging), the actual net profit might be close to zero or even negative.

So Is It Worth Playing?

Beginners, want to experience Web3? Pi Network or Bee Network can be tried—they cost nothing, just to gather some info. But don’t expect this money to change your life.

Already experienced in mining? From an economic perspective, ROI for mobile mining is abysmally low. Your time and device depreciation far outweigh the earnings.

Want steady income? Mobile mining is not the solution. Trading, staking, liquidity mining—all these strategies offer better returns.

Final Advice

• Before downloading an app, check the project’s background and official community attitude.
• Don’t install multiple apps at once, as this can damage your device.
• Be cautious when setting app permissions; don’t give excessive permissions to unknown apps.
• Regularly check your phone’s temperature and battery health.
• If you find an app consuming too many resources in the background, uninstall immediately.

How long will the era of mobile mining last? No one can say for sure. But for most people, it’s more about “experience” than “making money.” If you’re truly interested in cryptocurrencies, it’s better to spend this time learning more practical knowledge.