Someone wants to send you Bitcoin—what do you do?
Receiving bitcoin might sound technical, but it’s actually simple once you know the steps. Whether you’re using a mobile wallet or hardware wallet, here’s how to receive bitcoin safely and confidently.
Step‑by‑Step Guide
Step 1: Open your Bitcoin wallet
Make sure you’ve already set up a Bitcoin wallet on your phone or device (like BlueWallet, Muun, Phoenix, or a hardware wallet like Ledger or Trezor).
Step 2: Tap “Receive”
Inside your wallet app, look for a “Receive” or “Receive Bitcoin” button. This will show you:
- A Bitcoin address (a long string of letters and numbers)
- A QR code (a visual version of that address)
This is your public address—it’s safe to share.
Step 3: Share the address or QR code with your friend
You can:
- Copy and paste the address into a message
- Show them the QR code (they can scan it directly with their wallet app)
Tip: Double-check the address format—it should start with bc1, 1, or 3.
Step 4: Wait for them to send
Once they send the bitcoin, ask for the transaction ID (or txid). This is like a receipt you can use to track it.
Step 5: Confirm the transaction
Go back into your wallet and check the pending transaction. Bitcoin transactions aren’t instant—they need network confirmations.
- You’ll usually see it appear within a few minutes
- Full confirmation takes 1–6 blocks (usually 10–60 minutes)
Most wallets will notify you once the bitcoin is confirmed and spendable.
Optional: Use a block explorer
You can paste the transaction ID into a block explorer (like mempool.space or blockstream.info) to see confirmation status in real time.
Safety Tips
- Always double-check the address before sharing
- Don’t send or receive test payments to/from addresses you’re not sure about
- Keep your wallet app secure (PIN or biometrics enabled)
Why this matters
Receiving Bitcoin isn’t just for tech experts—it’s for anyone who wants more control over their money. Learning to accept a simple payment is a major first step in understanding how this network really works.
