Cryptocurrency Mining on Old Android Phones: Monero and Verus Coin Guide

Old Android phones can be repurposed for cryptocurrency mining using two main approaches, both requiring sideloaded APKs since Google Play bans mining applications. ## Option 1: Crypex (Monero Mining) Crypex mines Monero using the RandomX algorithm but pays out in Bitcoin, USDT, Ethereum, or PayPal — not Monero directly. The exchange happens on their backend. Setup is straightforward: create a free account at crypex.com, download the APK, and start mining. The service has operated since 2016 and expanded from PC mining to phone farms. RandomX is CPU-optimized by design (specifically to resist GPU/ASIC dominance), which means phone ARM processors can participate meaningfully, though at very low hashrates compared to desktop CPUs. ## Option 2: Verus Miner (Verus Coin) Verus (VRC) uses the VerusHash algorithm, which is specifically designed for ARM processor efficiency. Phones run noticeably cooler mining Verus than Monero, and the hashrate-per-watt ratio is better. Mining is native — you keep Verus coins directly in your wallet. ## Battery Safety The critical concern with phone mining is battery thermal management. Continuous load causes heat, and lithium batteries swell when chronically warm. **Remove batteries entirely** and run phones on direct USB power where possible. Alternatively, use smart plugs on timers to cycle mining on and off, preventing sustained heat. Phones without removable batteries should be monitored carefully for case swelling. ## Realistic Expectations Phone mining will not generate meaningful income. A single phone might earn fractions of a cent per day. The use case is repurposing otherwise idle hardware, learning about mining mechanics, or accumulating small amounts of cryptocurrency that may appreciate. Phone farms (10-50+ devices) can produce small but non-trivial returns, though electricity costs must be factored.