In just a few short years, wallet choices have expanded so much that it can be tough to find the right one for users needs. I'm here to help new and seasoned users do just that. This guide will outline the best Bitcoin wallets for iPhone and iOS.
Whether anyone is in need of a refresher course or not, we can now dive into the best Bitcoin wallets for iPhone.
I need to make one thing clear: iOS wallets are probably the least secure type of Bitcoin wallets out there right now.
There are a variety of reasons for this ranking. Firstly, if a phone is stolen, a thief with enough knowhow can get past even passwords or biometric scanners.
Secondly, someone might lose or damage the phone. In fact, over fifty percent of all iPhone users report dropping or breaking their phones within the first year of use. If a user stores Bitcoins on the wallet in said phone that device will also contain a personal access key. Users should not put their Bitcoins at risk through an accident or circumstances beyond anyone's control.
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The good news is, anyone is are free to make a backup wallet by using a seed phrase. A seed phrase is a series of twelve to twenty-four words designed as an extra layer of security. Using the phrase, wallet owners can gain access to the backup Bitcoin wallet. I highly recommend that all users store this security phrase in a physical form. I know that seems somewhat counter-intuitive in this day and age but if the backup phrase is stored in digital form, it must be heavily encrypted, among other protections, to ensure maximum security.
Related: How To Buy Bitcoin on iPhone
With all of that out of the way, it's time to review the list of available wallets for iOS. That requires me to give readers one detail about what is not an available wallet though.
1. BreadwalletBreadwallet has a variety of attractive features that easily make it a frontrunner on the iOS wallet market. For one, it's very user-friendly, with just two main functions. Users can send Bitcoins or receive them, and that's pretty much it. Which is okay as these functions are really all that are necessary for effective wallet use. On the downside, there are no advanced security measures, though the use of open source code does help in this regard.
2. MyCeliumUnlike Breadwallet, MyCelium is a little more complex. While that can be a potential downside for some, it's a huge upside in one big way. The more complicated nature of this wallet is due to more advanced security measures. Honestly, it is not that difficult to use this product, and the added security protecting the Bitcoin stash is, in my opinion, well worth it. It's also frequently updated and the whole Bitcoin community regularly looks for security flaws to fix, thanks to MyCelium's open source code.
3. CopayCopay works exactly as the name suggests, by requiring two people to approve any transactions before they are completed. It might seem like an inconvenience at first, but it's a great security feature that makes things hard for hackers. This wallet is available on all Bitcoin platforms and is a great choice is security is a prime concern.
4. JaxxNot everyone likes Jaxx, but it deserves a place here because it truly is one of the best mobile wallets out there. Jaxx works well with a wide range of crypto currencies including Bitcoin, has a great user interface, and anyone can pair it across multiple devices with ease. The criticism against this wallet comes from the fact that it is not open source, which makes it hard for users to see the code, and consequently it is harder to spot flaws. I like Jaxx but recommend starting with only a few Bitcoins here. Perhaps it will become open source at some point and truly realize its potential.
5. AirbitzOur final entry moves back to open source. Airbitz has a very easy-to-use interface along with some features that are helpful to newcomers. For example, one can view a list of merchants who accept Bitcoin currency or tips on how to buy some gift cards at a discount.
I'll recap by reminding everyone that an exchange is not a wise place to store Bitcoin wealth. Any of the wallets above provide better security than marketplaces ever could. Wallet users should increase various safety parameters by setting a PIN for the wallet. Everyone needs to write down a seed phrase in physical form and store it in a safe place.
Only store smaller amounts on a mobile wallet and move large amounts to a hardware wallet. Bitcoin is money, so users should deal with it the same way they would a more common account or asset. If anyone has comments or questions, feel free to leave them in the section below.
