Best Bitcoin Wallets for iOS
In this article, we will talk about the best Bitcoin wallets for iPhone and iPad, which became inherent in the arsenal of any crypto enthusiast. Though not as secure as their hardware counterparts, Bitcoin wallets for mobile devices on iOS and Android offer a more convenient medium to use on a daily basis.
Why mobile Bitcoin wallets?
The Internet, as well as the investment scene, changed forever when the first cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, emerged in 2009. The conceptualization of this revolutionary asset paved the path for the development of other alternative coins (simply called altcoins). Over the course of the last decade, more than five thousand altcoins flooded the market of cryptocurrency, creating a new branch of the financial sector.
However, the financial sphere is not the only field affected by cryptocurrency: nowadays a lot of businesses accept Bitcoin and other coins as payment. Tech-savvy individuals can use crypto for numerous daily activities such as buying for a fancy dinner at a restaurant, purchasing a new pair of sneakers off Amazon, or even paying for a university degree.
Bitcoin can be compared to the fiat (regular) money when it comes to storing it. While a lot of people keep their savings in a bank account or a vault, it is unusual for someone to go through lengthy security measures to get fifty dollars to pay for dinner. Instead, people simply use wallets. Well, cryptocurrency works in the exact same way.
Many experts advise storing a large amount of crypto on hardware storage to ensure that the assets are protected from hacker attacks. However, like with vaults and banks, physical mediums involve a lengthy access procedure. This can be quite frustrating when you need your funds promptly. For this very purpose, mobile Bitcoin wallets were invented.
Check How to secure your cryptocurrencies
Edge
App Store rating: 4.3
Fees: none
Edge, previously known as Airbitz, is a mobile cryptocurrency wallet that combines a wallet and an exchange: you can easily buy, sell, and exchange fiat money and cryptocurrency. It supports more than 30 cryptocurrencies, ranging from Bitcoin and Ethereum to their less popular counterparts, Monero and Ripple.
Let’s see why it is a great Bitcoin wallet for both beginners and advanced users.
Features
Edge gives an edge over other mobile apps when it comes to user-friendliness. It is perfect for beginners because it requires a user to choose a login and a password to access their account instead of memorizing a lengthy seed phrase. In fact, the platform itself claims to be so easy to operate that “even a grandma could handle.”
As we’ve mentioned, this Bitcoin wallet is quite easy to use. Inside the app, you can find four categories: “Wallet,” “Request,” “Scan,” and “Exchange.” You can buy, exchange, and spend your crypto. The app even allows its users to buy gift cards from popular online retail shops such as Amazon and Steam.
Should any issue occur, their customer support team will make sure it is solved.
Security
One of the most prominent features of Edge is its unique approach to security. Though having a login-password approach, the system allows its users to view their actual seed phrase for each cryptocurrency inside the app. You can also enable two-step authentication to ensure that your assets are well-protected.
Advanced users can check whether their code is open source. Yet, don’t worry if you’re just getting started with crypto: the code has been vetted by top security experts.
Privacy
The app has zero-knowledge and zero-access architecture. It is completely anonymous as no email, phone number, ID, or any other personal information is required to create an account. Neither Edge nor any third party has access to your assets, keys, or transaction data. All data (including login and password) is encrypted on a user’s device before it is transferred to the company’s servers.
Cons
Other than being available only for mobile devices, Edge doesn’t seem to have any disadvantages. This is compensated by their intuitive interface, great customer support, and exceptional security features.
Atomic
App Store rating: 4.6
Fees: none
Despite being on the market for only three years, the Atomic wallet has gained a rightful place among the best Bitcoin wallets for iPhone. Essentially, it is a decentralized multi-currency wallet that supports more than 300 tokens.
Features
The app got its name from its notable feature called the atomic swap. In short, it is an automated currency exchange. Anyone can put a notice that they want to trade a certain coin. Once the system finds a matching notice from another party on the bulletin board, the exchange occurs automatically and anonymously. Currently, the number of currencies supported is limited but the developers are working towards expanding the list.
However, there are other accessible ways apart from the atomic swap to exchange the coins. For instance, you can trade through the SpaceShift and Changelly exchanges which function in a similar manner apart from supporting a different range of coins. Finally, you can simply purchase cryptocurrency with your credit card using the fiat money.
The wallet can be downloaded on a variety of devices and operational systems, including Windows, MacOS, Linux for PCs, and Android and iOS for mobile devices.
Security
Not only is this Bitcoin wallet quite convenient but it is also safe. The private keys are encrypted on the device itself. The user sets a password. In case something happens to the device, a 12-word seed mnemonic can be used to recover access. What is more, it is open-source which drastically decreases the chance of hidden vulnerability.
Privacy
Atomic is fully anonymous. The data is stored on the user’s device. Before a transaction proceeds, the system encrypts the data, using both AES and TLC encryption to ensure privacy and safety.
Cons
Although Atomic is an excellent Bitcoin wallet, it still has a few drawbacks. Similarly to other mobile wallets, you and only you are responsible for the security of your funds. Additionally, as of today, this wallet cannot be integrated with a hardware medium, which may become a deal-breaker for some users.
BRD
App Store rating: 4.5
Fees: none
BRD, previously known as Bread or the BreadWallet, is another name in the list of the best Bitcoin wallets for iPhone and Android. It is especially valued by beginners, thanks to its appealing and straightforward interface.
Features
While some advanced users may deem BRD to be too basic, it is a breath of fresh air for newbies: the app as simple as it gets. What is more, there is a comprehensive base of the most common questions. However, if there are any issues and questions, a user can contact BRD’s support team.
Inside the wallet, you can also find an exchange. The wallet supports Bitcoin, Ethereum, and all ERC-20 tokens. Though the range of the coin limited compared to BRD’s competitors, it is enough to get started. Users can also purchase coins using fiat money.
Security
BRD is a safe wallet for a few reasons. Firstly, it is non-custodial, meaning you are the only person who can access the seed phrase (often called the private key). Secondly, the code is open-source so it is regularly checked by other members. Finally, you can set a PIN which will be required every time you launch the app.
Privacy
In order to use the app, you need no registration. Once it is installed, you are free to start buying, selling, and exchanging the cryptocurrency. BRD connects directly to blockchain networks instead of the company’s servers.
Cons
As mentioned before, advanced users may find BRD too limited, so it is more suitable for beginners. What is more, like with any other mobile Bitcoin wallet, only the user is responsible for the safety of their funds. If the device is lost or stolen, it cannot be recovered.
Ledger Live
App Store rating: 3.8
Fees: none (for the app)
Ledger Live is the most secure mobile Bitcoin wallet on this list because it works in pair with a hardware wallet. It is a great choice for those who have to manage large sums of crypto often.
Features
The app has a relatively simple interface, which consists of five tabs. A user can monitor their current total balance, operations list, and change in rates over a selected period of time. You can also send and receive cryptocurrency. The app supports the management of 25 coins and over 1250 ERC-20 tokens directly from the smartphone.
Security
Since you keep the private keys offline, on a cold storage device, it is impossible for hackers to access them. Additionally, each transfer must be validated by the hardware wallet, making it the safest online Bitcoin wallet in the App Store.
Cons
Although technically the app is free, it is the companion of a Ledger hardware wallet. The price range is from $59 to $119 for Ledger Nano S and Ledger Nano X, respectively.
Conclusion
No matter the level of proficiency and experience in the world of cryptocurrency, any user knows that a trusted wallet is essential. Since the appearance of digital money, plenty of Bitcoin wallets were developed to fit the individual needs and purposes of virtually any crypto enthusiast.
At the end of the day, there is still one point to remember: although mobile Bitcoin wallets are more convenient, they are not the safest. One should always consider the risks and make informed decisions on where to put their crypto. As it is said, better to be safe than sorry.
Originally posted at https://godex.io
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