Table of contents
- Introduction
- Step-by-step tutorial
- FAQ
Introduction
A Lightning wallet is a type of application that allows you to create a Lightning address and use it to make Lightning transactions.
In this tutorial we guide you through the easiest and fastest way to create a Lightning wallet, which is with a mobile wallet.
Step-by-step tutorial
For this example, we will create a new Lightning wallet using Bridge Wallet, the free mobile app that we have made to easily get started with Lightning. It only takes a few minutes!
1. Download the app
Enter your phone number below, and click on the link that you will receive by SMS to install the app, and then launch it.
If you don't receive the SMS, you can also download the app directly from GooglePlay or from the AppStore.
2: Create a password
The first step after launching the app is to create a password to secure the access to the app on your device.
3: Create a new wallet
Choose here the "Create a new wallet" option. The other option is to access an existing address in case you already have one.
4: Generate a secret phrase
Choose here the "Generate a secret phrase" option. The split secret phrase is an advanced form of secret phrase, if you don't know what it is you can ignore it.
For more information, read our guide on private keys and secret phrases.
5: Read the safety notice
These few screens introduce you to basic safety practices regarding the management of your secret phrase and wallet.
We strongly advise you to read them, even if it's not the first time you create a crypto wallet. A safety refresher never hurts!
6: Get your secret phrase
This screen displays your secret phrase, which is the only way to access and restore your wallet and all its content.
Never share your secret phrase, make sure you write it down now and store it somewhere safe.
If someone else gets access to your secret phrase, you will lose your wallet's content.
You will also find on our blog a detailed guide that explains you how to store crypto-assets safely.
7: Secret phrase check
Let's verify here that you have backed up your secret phrase. If you haven't, you can still click "Back" and back it up. It's really important to do it properly now, so you'll be all set from now on.
8: Success!
That's it, you're done creating a new Lightning wallet!
9: See your Lightning address
You can now start using your brand new Lightning wallet. To see and share your public Lightning address, switch to the Lightning network via the icon on the top left of the app screen and go in the "Addresses" tab of the app. Your address is the thing that looks like an email address displayed on top of the screen.
You can also share it in the form of a QR code.
If you want to have a personalized Lightning wallet address, follow the instructions from the tweet below:
— Mt Pelerin (@mtpelerin) January 26, 2023Do you want to have your own custom #Bitcoin Lightning address in Bridge Wallet?
✅ Follow us
✅ Like and retweet the post below
✅ Send us a DM with the address you'd like ([emailprotected])First come first served! 👇👇👇 https://t.co/nMWU2WMtKJ
FAQ
What is a Lightning wallet?
A Lightning wallet is a software that gives you an interface to make transactions on the Lightning network (send sats, receive sats, etc.).
How to buy Lightning sats?
You can buy LN sats here by bank transfer or by card on any Lightning wallet. For more information, have a look at our step-by-step tutorial on how to buy Lightning sats.
How to send LN sats?
Sending and receiving LN sats is done through Lightning wallet applications, such as Bridge Wallet. You will find more info about them in our article on the different types of crypto wallets.
Lightning wallets have a receiving as well as a sending button. When you click on the "Send" button, the wallet will ask you to provide the recipient address, either by pasting it or by scanning it QR code. It will also ask you the amount to send, and if your balance is sufficient you will be able to send the transaction.
Most wallets will also offer advanced settings, where you can manually modify the price you are willing to pay for the transaction. If you don't know how to choose that amount, don't modify it and keep the wallet's default value.
How to receive LN sats?
When you click on the "Receive" button of your wallet, it will show you the Lightning address that you can share with people wanting to send you funds.
You can either share your written address, or share the address in the form of a QR code.
Can you send sats to a Bitcoin address?
No, you cannot send Lightning sats to a mainnet Bitcoin address directly. You must first close your Lightning channel to retrieve your mainnet BTC, or use our sats to BTC swap service.
Can you send BTC to a Lightning address?
No, you cannot send Bitcoin to a Lightning address directly. You must first open a Lightning channel and lock your BTC inside, or use our BTC to sats swap service.
What is an LNAddress?
A Lightning address (LNAddress) is an open source standard that uses the same format as email addresses to simplify sending and receiving Lightning sats.
What is an LNURL?
LNURL is a protocol to create more advanced transactions than simple Lightning invoices. It usually looks like a QR code that you can scan to pay for something in sats, or a QR code that you can scan to withdraw sats from.
Why are Lightning and Bitcoin wallet addresses different?
There are no addresses on Lightning in the same way as there are wallet addresses on Bitcoin and other blockchains. Lightning transactions are made by generating and paying invoices, which contain the data required to carry out the transaction. Standards like LNAddress have been created on top of the invoice system to enable more user-friendly transactions, using email-like recipient addresses.
What is a Lighting invoice?
An invoice is the basic way to make a transaction on the Lightning network. It is generated by users as a string or QR code, which contains the data required to carry out a transaction.
