Update (December 2024): I stopped trying out CryptoTab because they suspended my account, so I don’t recommend them anymore. You can read the full post here: Cryptotab: Scam or not?
In the meantime I’ve started trying out ZBD: Earn Bitcoin Rewards, an Android app that lets you earn bitcoin so I’ll post separately on what it did for me.
I can’t believe I had the chance to get rich from Bitcoin way back when it launched but missed it. I’m not alone in my regrets, millions of others probably had a chance of getting it when it was cheap but failed to do it. At least we’re not like that guy who lost 8,000 BTC on a drive by throwing it in the garbage and is now obsessed of moving a mountain of garbage to find that drive.
Still, it stings to tell your kid “well, you know, I was there when Bitcoin was launched, I had money to buy it, though I failed to see the investment value in it”. Over time I did try mining and what not, but after a while you kind’of give up thinking it’s too late. Though, what if it’s not too late? Bitcoin is over $60K right now, what if in 10 years it’ll be $600K? Sounds crazy right? Well, if you told someone 10 years ago what the value is now they’ll say it’s crazy too. So maybe $100 worth of Bitcoin now will be worth $1,000 in 10 years.
Anyway, I went back to the idea of mining somehow for Bitcoin. The difficulty is crazy and the amount you can mine with regular equipment is incredibly low. Unless you buy into Bitcoin mining contracts (i.e. cloud) or develop your own network of Bitcoin farmers. That’s where crypto mining apps for Android come into play. So I’ve started researching what crypto mining app for Android I could use to mine for BTC while browsing and found a few I’d like to try.
First one I started testing is CryptoTab. It’s a browser based on Chromium but with built-in mining. It comes with a built-in mining algorithm that allows anyone to mine Bitcoin without expensive hardware or technical knowledge. They have clients available for Windows, Android and iOS. I’ve tried Cryptotab for Android and it works just like Chromium – the difference is that while you browse it uses some background CPU resources to mine – barely noticeable while browsing. So, down to business, how much can you earn with Cryptotab?
In about 2 weeks I’ve started using it I earned 0.00000554 BTC – which right now I think is around $0.4. So it’s not much, but the Cryptotab system is interesting, because it also allows you to refer people and create your own BTC mining network from which you gain a small percentage. So while I’m sure you cannot earn a lot by simply doing mining from your Android device, if you combine that with referring others to it that might account to something. Especially since they have referral levels up to 10 deep. This means that every person you refer, can refer another that also becomes you referral up to level 10. Crazy, hope it’ll work!
Do they pay? Well, they do have an withdraw option, however you need to reach a minimum threshold of 0.00006 BTC (around $4). I’ll let you know when I manage to reach that amount and can test it.
So there’s Cryptotab for Android (and other devices) that can be used for crypto mining from Android, but are there others? I’ve compiled a list of 5 crypto mining apps for Android that I’d like to try out in the coming months to see what they can do (I’ve started with Cryptotab):
1. CryptoTab Browser (currently testing it)
- Supported cryptos to mine: Bitcoin (BTC).
- Features: CryptoTab Browser allows users to mine Bitcoin while browsing the web. It works by using a portion of the device’s CPU for mining while browsing.
- Notes: The mining power of mobile devices is generally low, so earnings will be minimal. However, you can increase those by creating your own BTC farming network by referring other users.
2. MinerGate Mobile Miner
- Supported cryptos to mine: Monero (XMR), Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), and others.
- Features: MinerGate provides a simple interface for users to mine different coins, offering cloud mining and cryptocurrency wallet features. Since it can mine cheaper cryptos, you can see results faster than BTC mining only.
- Notes: Mining on a mobile device can be slow, and MinerGate may offer low returns.
3. ECOS Mobile App
- Supported Cryptos to mine: Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH).
- Features: ECOS is more focused on cloud mining, which means users rent mining power from large data centers rather than using the phone’s CPU. But it also means you have to invest some money to start earning.
- Notes: Cloud mining can offer better returns compared to traditional mining with a mobile device, but it involves upfront investment, so if you only want to invest your time/CPU resources, look at others.
4. Pi Network
- Supported Cryptos to mine: Pi Coin (native to the Pi Network).
- Features: Pi Network lets users “mine” its native Pi Coin without using much of the phone’s processing power. Instead of traditional mining, it uses a social security circle system.
- Notes: Pi is still in development and is not yet tradable on exchanges.
5. AA Miner
- Supported Cryptos to mine: Bitcoin, Litecoin, and others.
- Features: AA Miner is a lightweight app that supports a wide range of algorithms and allows users to choose their preferred mining strategy.
- Notes: Requires more manual setup and customization, but it’s a solid option for those who want flexibility.
So, what is the downside of crypto mining on Android? Well, to name a few:
- Low profitability – Mobile devices don’t have the processing power required for profitable mining.
- Battery & heat issues – Mining consumes significant power, which can drain your battery faster and might cause overheating if you have an older phone for instance.
- Security risks – Be cautious of mining apps, as some may be malicious or contain malware. Just use apps that are listed on Google Play store and have already reviews.
Thoughts? Leave a comment if you have other suggestions for me to try out, who knows, maybe in 10 years this will be worth it.
