BlueWallet: Mobile Lightning & On‑chain Best Practices
BlueWallet is a mobile-focused wallet that supports both on-chain Bitcoin transactions and Lightning Network payments. Its design emphasis is on simple user experience while providing advanced options such as PSBT support, watch-only wallets, and integrations with external node software. Because BlueWallet targets mobile users, developers and users must balance convenience with strong operational security practices to protect funds. This guide outlines setup recommendations, Lightning usage, PSBT and hardware signing workflows, and practical security habits for everyday use.
First, obtain BlueWallet from official sources: the App Store, Google Play, or the official website. Avoid third-party mirrors. After installation, create a new wallet and write down the recovery phrase on paper or use a metal backup solution for long-term storage. Mobile devices are inherently more exposed than air-gapped machines, so minimize stored sensitive data and enable device-level protections: screen lock, biometrics, and encrypted backups where possible.
Lightning payments are BlueWallet's major convenience. To receive Lightning payments, generate an invoice within the app and present the QR code or share the invoice string. For sending, scan invoices or paste the invoice string; the wallet will route the payment across the network. Users should be mindful of routing fees and potential failed payments; small fees are normal, but unexpected high fees merit investigation. For custody models, decide whether to use a custodial service (easier, but trust required) or run your own Lightning node and connect BlueWallet in non-custodial mode for full control.
PSBT workflows are crucial for secure on-chain signing. BlueWallet supports exporting PSBT files which you can sign with a hardware wallet or an air-gapped Electrum instance. A typical secure flow: prepare the PSBT on your online device, transfer it to an offline signer (via QR or USB), sign it on the trusted device, then bring the signed PSBT back to a broadcaster to publish. This keeps private keys offline and greatly reduces the risk of theft even if your main device is compromised.
Hardware wallets add a layer of security for high-value Bitcoin holdings. Connect a hardware wallet to BlueWallet (or use PSBT export and sign on the hardware device) and verify addresses on the device's screen before approving. Keep firmware up to date via official vendor instructions, and never enter your seed into any mobile app or website. If you need to use a custodial or watch-only setup for convenience, segregate small daily funds from long-term cold storage.
For developers integrating BlueWallet flows into dApps or services, offer clear QR code flows and deep-link support. BlueWallet supports BIP21 URIs for on-chain payments and Lightning invoice strings for LN payments. Provide explicit UI that describes what the wallet will do: "This will open BlueWallet and propose a Lightning payment of X sats to Y." Avoid silent or background payment requests—always require an explicit user action to initiate a payment.
Privacy and address hygiene matter. Use new addresses for receiving funds where possible, and consider generating separate wallets for different purposes (savings, spending, Lightning channels). Keep track of on-chain transaction IDs and channel states for reconciliation, and use watch-only wallets to monitor high-value addresses without exposing keys to a mobile device.
Finally, practice recovery and incident response. Keep verified backups of your recovery phrase, test restores on a spare device occasionally, and have a plan to rotate funds if a device is lost or compromised. Educate yourself about phishing and scam patterns that target mobile users—never paste your seed into sites or share it with anyone. With BlueWallet's combination of Lightning speed and on-chain flexibility, users can enjoy practical everyday bitcoin use while maintaining strong security practices. ¡Buena suerte — use invoices carefully and protect your seed!