Set up a Lightning wallet in the mobile BitBoxApp to send and receive bitcoin for everyday payments. You need your BitBox for setup; afterward, ordinary Lightning payments are authorized on the phone without connecting the BitBox.

Only one Lightning wallet can be active in each app installation. If you have used this Lightning wallet before, follow Re-enable or switch Lightning wallets to use it again in the same app installation, or Restore your Lightning wallet after reinstalling the app or changing phones.

Before you start

Lightning is available in the mobile BitBoxApp. It is not available in the desktop app. You need:

• a supported Android device with an original BitBox02 or BitBox02 Nova, or an iPhone or iPad with a BitBox02 Nova;
• the latest supported BitBoxApp and the firmware offered for your BitBox; and
• the BitBox wallet you intend to use, with its existing backup kept protected. If that wallet uses an optional passphrase, you also need that exact passphrase.

Bitcoin-only and Multi editions work the same way. Check the supported devices and operating systems for current mobile requirements and connection compatibility.

You do not receive a separate Lightning backup. The same BitBox wallet can recreate the Lightning keys. If your BitBox is lost, you first need to restore its existing backup on a replacement BitBox. An optional passphrase is not included in that backup and must be reproduced exactly.

Recovering the keys alone does not guarantee access to the funds: the current BitBoxApp also needs Spark, its external service infrastructure, to retrieve wallet data and move funds back to Bitcoin. It does not currently support an independent exit if Spark is unavailable or uncooperative. Read How Lightning works in the BitBoxApp if you need more detail before accepting these conditions.

Create your Lightning wallet

The wallet open on your BitBox determines which Lightning wallet is created. The standard wallet and each optional passphrase open different wallets. A mistyped passphrase opens another wallet rather than showing an error, so identify the intended wallet before approving setup.

Enter an optional passphrase only on the BitBox. Never enter recovery words, backup contents, private keys, or your BitBox device password into the BitBoxApp, a website, a chat, or a support form.

1. Connect your BitBox to the mobile device and unlock it. If the intended wallet uses an optional passphrase, enter it on the BitBox. In the BitBoxApp, check that the expected on-chain accounts appear. Stop if you cannot identify the intended wallet.
2. In the BitBoxApp, open Settings → Manage device. Under Device information, privately note the Root fingerprint. This identifies the wallet currently open on the BitBox and gives you a reference to compare after setup. Keep that same wallet open.
3. Return to Settings, open Advanced settings, and select Enable Lightning wallet. The introduction opens. If you see Lightning settings instead, a Lightning wallet is already active; use the wallet management guide before switching.
4. Read What is Lightning? and select Next. The app opens How does it work with the BitBoxApp?.
5. Read the explanation, select the checkbox I have read the information above, then select Next. The Lightning disclaimer opens.
6. Read the disclaimer covering the security model, backups, Spark dependency, fees, and beta risk. Stop here if you do not accept these conditions; you can continue using your on-chain BitBox wallet without Lightning. Otherwise, select Agree and continue. If prompted to reconnect or unlock your BitBox, use the same wallet you checked above.
7. When the app shows Create Lightning wallet, review the request on your BitBox. Confirm Create Lightning Wallet on host device only if you intentionally started this setup and want the Lightning wallet's spending keys stored on this mobile device.
8. Wait while the BitBoxApp enables the wallet. When it shows Success, your Lightning wallet is ready!, select Done to open the Lightning wallet.

Verify the wallet before adding funds

After activation, Lightning settings replaces Enable Lightning wallet in Advanced settings. Check the linked wallet before funding it:

1. Open Settings → Advanced settings → Lightning settings.
2. Under Wallet, compare the displayed fingerprint with the Root fingerprint you noted before setup. If a wallet name is also shown, use it as an additional reference.
3. If the fingerprint differs, stop before adding funds and check that you opened the intended standard or passphrase wallet. Use the wallet management guide to switch to the correct one.

Setup is complete when the app has confirmed that the wallet is ready, the fingerprint matches your reference, and Lightning is available in the Portfolio on the main dashboard. Keep your backup protected. A fingerprint cannot spend funds, but it identifies your wallet, so keep any record private.

Add your first spending balance

A newly created Lightning wallet starts empty. Begin with a small amount using either method:

• Top up from a BitBox Bitcoin account. This is an on-chain transaction: it requires your BitBox, a Bitcoin network fee, and blockchain confirmations.
• Receive a Lightning payment from another wallet. You do not need to make an on-chain top-up first.

If setup does not complete

• Enable Lightning wallet is missing: confirm that you are using a supported mobile device, then update the BitBoxApp and BitBox firmware. Lightning was introduced with BitBoxApp 4.52.0 and firmware 9.27.1; earlier versions do not include it. If Lightning settings is shown, the wallet is already enabled.
• The BitBox is not detected: check its connection and unlock it. Confirm that your phone and BitBox model are compatible using the linked device requirements, then return to setup. Do not approve an action you did not initiate.
• The fingerprint does not match: do not fund the wallet. Check whether you opened the standard wallet or the intended optional-passphrase wallet, then follow the wallet management guide above.

If setup repeatedly fails or you cannot identify the correct wallet, contact BitBox Support. Include your phone model, operating-system version, BitBoxApp version, BitBox model, firmware version, and the exact non-sensitive error message or the step where you became stuck. Never send recovery words, backup contents, an optional passphrase, private keys, passwords, or PINs.