You can create a Lightning wallet from the BitBox wallet currently open in the mobile BitBoxApp. Your BitBox derives and approves the wallet during setup. Afterward, ordinary Lightning payments are authorized on the phone and do not require the BitBox.
Before you start
Before starting, install the latest supported mobile BitBoxApp and the firmware offered through it. You also need:
- a supported Android device with an original BitBox02 or BitBox02 Nova, or a supported iPhone or iPad with a BitBox02 Nova;
- the BitBox containing the wallet from which you want to derive the Lightning wallet; and
- the correct BitBox wallet, including the exact optional passphrase if that wallet uses one.
Bitcoin-only and Multi editions work the same way. Check Supported devices and operating systems for the BitBoxApp for current platform requirements. If needed, update the BitBoxApp and update the BitBox firmware before continuing.
Lightning is a hot wallet
Keep only a small spending balance in the Lightning wallet. Its spending keys are stored on the phone, not protected inside your BitBox. Do not use it for large amounts or long-term savings, and do not add more bitcoin than you are willing to lose while the feature remains in beta.
For a fuller explanation of the hot-wallet, backup, and Spark trade-offs, read How Lightning works in the BitBoxApp.
Never enter recovery words, wallet-backup contents, a private key, device password, PIN, or optional passphrase into the BitBoxApp, a website, a chat, or a support form. Enter an optional passphrase only on your BitBox.
Open the correct BitBox wallet
The standard wallet and each optional passphrase open different BitBox wallets. Each can derive a different Lightning wallet, so confirm the intended wallet before setup:
- Connect your BitBox to the mobile device and unlock it.
- If the intended wallet uses an optional passphrase, enter that exact passphrase on the BitBox.
- In the BitBoxApp, confirm that the expected on-chain accounts and balances appear.
Only one Lightning wallet can be active at a time in each BitBoxApp installation. If another one is already active, follow Disable, re-enable, or switch Lightning wallets before continuing.
Enable and create the Lightning wallet
The following steps enable Lightning for the BitBox wallet you just verified and create its Lightning wallet.
- Open the mobile BitBoxApp.
- Open Settings.
- Open Advanced Settings.
- Select Enable Lightning Wallet.
- Read the introduction and confirm that you understand the hot-wallet model, backup and recovery, Spark dependency, fees, and beta limitations.
- Select Next, read the Lightning disclaimer, and continue only if you accept these conditions.
- If prompted, connect and unlock your BitBox with the intended wallet open.
- On Create a Lightning Wallet, continue to the confirmation on the BitBox.
- The BitBox displays Create Lightning Wallet on host device. Confirm only if you intentionally started this setup in the mobile BitBoxApp.
- Wait while the BitBoxApp creates the wallet.
- When the app confirms that the wallet is ready, select Done.
Stop instead of continuing if you do not want the spending keys stored on the phone or do not accept the current Spark dependency. Your on-chain BitBox wallet remains available without enabling Lightning.
Lightning wallet created
Setup is complete when the BitBoxApp confirms that the wallet is ready and Lightning appears in the Portfolio on the main dashboard.
Verify the wallet name and fingerprint
After Lightning is active, Advanced Settings shows Lightning Settings instead of Enable Lightning Wallet.
- Open Settings → Advanced Settings → Lightning Settings.
- Under Wallet, review the wallet name and fingerprint.
- Confirm that they identify the BitBox wallet you intended to use.
You may privately record the wallet name and fingerprint so you can identify it later. A fingerprint cannot spend funds, but it identifies your wallet and should not be shared unnecessarily.
Add or receive your first sats
The new Lightning wallet starts with no spending balance. Begin with a small amount:
- Top up the wallet from a BitBox Bitcoin account. This creates an on-chain transaction and requires the BitBox.
- Receive a Lightning payment from another Lightning wallet. You do not need to top up first.
If setup does not complete
- Enable Lightning Wallet is missing: confirm that you are using the mobile app and install the latest supported BitBoxApp and firmware. Lightning was introduced in BitBoxApp 4.52.0 with BitBox firmware 9.27.1, so earlier versions do not include it.
- The BitBox is not detected: reconnect it directly, unlock it, and repeat the connection step. Do not approve a wallet action you did not initiate.
- A different wallet appears: stop before adding funds. Open the intended standard or passphrase wallet and compare the fingerprint again.
- Another Lightning wallet is active: disable it before switching. Disabling does not withdraw or delete its funds.
Contact BitBox Support
Contact BitBox Support if the same setup error returns. Include the phone model, operating-system version, BitBoxApp version, BitBox model, firmware version, and exact non-sensitive error message.
Never send recovery words, backup contents, an optional passphrase, private keys, passwords, or PINs.