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Cryptocurrency mining usually brings to mind images of huge industrial rigs and cooling chambers, but did you know that it’s possible to mine cryptocurrency from your iPhone with an app called MobileMiner? In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to set up MobileMiner and how to configure it for cryptocurrency mining on your iPhone.
What Do You Need to Mine Cryptocurrency on Your iPhone?
MobileMiner is a CPU miner for iOS devices created by well-known jailbreak developer Elias Limneos. You will need to build the project yourself with Xcode and buy a wallet before you can start mining. The better the processor on your iPhone, the faster it can complete any mining task. It is recommended to use an iPhone 7 or above for the best hash speeds.
Though Elias is a trusted developer, you should keep in mind that installing “unofficial” code comes with some risk. Do so at your own discretion and risk.
How to Install MobileMiner on Your iPhone
You will need your Mac for this installation process.
- Visit developer.apple.com, go to the member center, and sign in with your Apple ID. On the Apple Developer Agreement page, accept the agreement and click submit.
- Go to the Mac App Store and sign in with your developer ID.
- Connect your iPhone to your Mac and ensure it’s a trusted device.
- Download iOS App Signer and the MobileMiner.ipa from the Github page.
- Create a new Xcode project and name the product ‘iPhone Miner’. Join a personal team, create an organization name, and ensure the language is in Swift, with Unit Tests and UI Tests enabled.
- Open the iOS App Signer and select the MobileMiner.ipa, Xcode project file, signature certificates, and provisioning profile. Press start and save the IPA file to your desktop.
- Open Xcode and select Window, then Devices and Simulators from the menu bar. On the Devices and Simulators page, select your iPhone and click the ‘+’ below installed apps then select the MobileMiner.ipa file on your desktop. The MobileMiner app should now appear on your home screen.
- Go to your Settings > General > Profile & Device Manager and select your profile under Developer app, then click the ‘Trust’ button to allow it to run on your device.
How to Configure MobileMiner
After installation, you need to configure MobileMiner:
Configuration
You must set up a configuration for any different currency you want to mine, and you can switch between them. Sign up and acquire a username and wallet address from one of the cryptocurrency services to fill in the configuration page.
The “Threads” option depends on how modern your phone is, but a newer phone can handle a larger number of threads.
Stay Alive in the Background
This feature allows the app to mine in the background when the phone is not in use. It significantly drains your battery, but it allows the app to run continuously in the background.
Although attempts have been made to mine cryptocurrency on mobile devices, this app is the first to do it in a simple and easy-to-use way. However, don’t expect to make significant amounts of money from it. Mobile processors simply aren’t as powerful as those in PCs, and the electricity costs alone would eat up your gains. Still, it’s a fantastic proof of concept and a fun thing to try out.
FAQs
Is mining cryptocurrency on an iPhone worth it?
No, mining cryptocurrency on an iPhone is not worth it. The electricity costs alone will surpass any profits you make. However, it can be a fun and educational experience.
Can I mine bitcoin on my iPhone?
No, it is not possible to mine bitcoin on an iPhone. Bitcoin mining requires specialized equipment, and mobile devices’ processors cannot handle the complex calculations needed.