Bitcoin Forum

Is the Electrum wallet really one of the best recommendation for bitcoin newbie ?
Tell me what is the reason. Currently I am still using an android phone for daily need and browsing this bitcoin forum.

Welcome to the forum.

This might be a long read but this is informative to help you choose the "best" wallet based on your preference.

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=1631151.0

Personally, the only reason I would recommend Electrum over that of Bitcoin Core, is because its a lightweight client. If you don't need a lightweight client, i.e you don't wish to keep a copy of the Blockchain on your device, then Electrum is the best choice. Otherwise, go with Bitcoin Core.

I would also recommend against using any wallet, on a phone. Especially, one that you connect to the internet with regularly, and download apps on. Phones, are a little bit more difficult to secure due to their operating system, and the way the general user uses them.

It is hard to say which wallet is the best choice for one person.

Electrum is light and friendly to use. You have to read documents as always and make a few attempts to practice and get familiarized yourself with it.
It is a SPV wallet, see more description there SPV (Electrum.readthedocs.io) (https://electrum.readthedocs.io/en/latest/spv.html)

The official site of Electrum: https://electrum.org/#home
Download the wallet (for desktop or mobile): https://electrum.org/#download (don't search Eldctrum on Google Play, you will get many fake apps).
[Warning] List of fake wallets/apps on Google Play. (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5298774.msg55810592#msg55810592)

Verify your Electrum wallet on desktop or mobile.
[GUIDE] How to Safely Download and Verify Electrum [Guide] (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5240594.msg54223763#msg54223763)

In my experience it is, there are other wallets that you can use with the same credibility as Electrum, open-source safe secured these are the qualities of Electrum that is why it is one of the most used wallets, I highly recommend that you also use other wallets for diversification or not putting all your eggs in one basket, you can use an android phone if you are going to transact but when it comes to storing use a desktop version or better a ledger.

Electrum has always been a heavy recommendation due to it being open source and being a solid wallet since like forever. Though it looks bad(imo) in terms of UI as it kinda looks outdated, it simply does it's job, and it does it's job really really well.

If you want to check out alternative Android wallets, check out BlueWallet[1] and Samourai[2]. But as always, if you hold a substantial amount of coins and if you're planning on holding long term while maximizing security, go grab a hardware wallet[3].

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[1] https://bluewallet.io/
[2] https://samouraiwallet.com/
[3] http://cryptosec.info/wallets#hardware_wallets

1. Electrum is one of the oldest implementations of bitcoin
2. It has multiple active contributors that are always working on the code to improve it
3. It has no serious bugs
4. It is 100% open source with no hidden shenanigans like some of the other "wallets"
5. It is very easy to use for anyone from beginners to more advanced users
6. It is easy to sync since it is a SPV client and it is fast to sync
7. It has always been quick to implement any new feature that comes to bitcoin (eg. multisigs, P2SH, SegWit, Lightning Network,...)
8. It is one of the first HD wallets that let users only backup a "phrase" instead of having to backup their wallet file every time they create a new address
9. It has a very easy to use cold storage setup by easily pairing the cold and hot wallets.
10. It supports all hardware wallets
11. Electrum builds are deterministic so they can be reproduced, so you can trust the binaries they release even if you don't compile the code yourself

I suggest to use mobile bitcoin wallet like mycelium or blockchain wallet. These wallets are good for holding and spending little amount of bitcoin. But, if you wanted to hold bigger amount of funds through bitcoin then I suggest to buy for a hardware wallet or download a hardware wallet in a storage device. These are what we called as cold wallets where btc stored offline. Correct me if I am wrong because I am still new in cryptocurrency.

MyCelium is okay for Android. Please don't use Blockchain.com's wallet. They have a bad track record of being competent in managing their user's funds and have been involved in quite a few blunders. If history is any indication, I can't recommend Blockchain wallet with their terrible fees estimation and deceptive user's freedom.

Hardware wallets are devices designed specifically to store Bitcoins and they cannot be downloaded. If you want to store Bitcoin, you're looking at a Bitcoin cold storage. It'll be better to have an airgapped wallet than simply a cold storage though.

And another account mycelium, trustwallete not be bad but also hope and agree with that "Electrum" is secured more than other multiple accounts,  lowest fee SegWit and the other extra future than others. electrum is the best option to remember that do not share seed and turn off the auto update uninstalled unethical apps for safe side.

you said you are using an androind phone for daily need and using this forum. I don't know if you are asking for a wallet for you phone or you use a PC/laptop as well. but Electrum does not work on phone (I don't think so at least, unless they recently released an app) if you are looking for a good wallet for your Android phone then Coinomi would be good for you. I've been using that on my phone for 2 years. and haven't faced any problems. it supports hundreds of coins includind Bitcoin and Ethereum.

Electrum is Good for PC.

Edit: I just found they have a mobile app too. but I don't know if it is good or not. lots of negative reviews on their playstore page.

For Android I use Mycelium. It could be better, but it's far from bad. And it has one advantage over Electrum for Android: it also works with Hardware Wallets.
And this is important since I don't advise anyone keep more than 200-300$ worth of crypto on an Android wallet without the protection of a hardware wallet.

I was told not long ago that bluewallet.io may also be a good choice but I didn't get to try it out yet.

Actually I will always recommend Electrum wallet over the rest, because it's easier to use, just like many elders stated in the comment section. For someone new to the forum, you need to get used to the easiest wallet that won't stress you much during usage. So I will keep suggesting Electrum, zero bugs,zero stress, 100% access free. It's indeed the best. Welcome to the forum. I wish you well.

Electrum is good for Android but you can not sign a message on your phone with Electrum (for Android). You will not be phished if you download the app from their site, not from Google Play (as a result of app you get from Search in Google Play). There are many fake apps in Google Play (is this the negative reviews you told?)

https://electrum.org/#download. Visit it and click on Google Play to download the app for your Android phone. If you hove the mouse on Google Play hyperlink you will see the link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.electrum.electrum

The legit Electrum app will have the info (you will see it after the installation, click on About (right corner)

The fake one has the exact same UI but it's embedded with malicious code which are not visible to the naked eye. To be sure that you're downloading the real one, don't do it from Play Store. You can download it from the site and sideload it into your phone using the apk file and I recommend doing a PGP verification before that.

Glad to see you all answered and gave your views for my question. I have downloaded Elektrum for android as you recommend. I haven't bought anything for me to keep in my Electrum wallet. The next step may be the security of the wallet I use. I got a good current source of reading from the official bitcoin.org site. Thank you very much.

Just remember, that if you are using that android phone as a regular device, and downloading apps from the app store you should be wary of storing any wallet on that device. Many apps on the app store have ridiculous permissions that they require, and Google can't verify that every single app isn't malicious. So, with the correct amount of permissions, and a malicious piece of code your wallet could be susceptible to an attack. The risk is the same on a computer, except for people are more likely to download unknown apps on their phones, because in modern times phones are used as a primary device.

Its preferred to have a dedicated device to host your wallet, and if you don't require regular access, then a offline wallet might be the better option. If you require regular access, then you might want to consider a hardware wallet. Despite the cost, they do have some extra security protocols which help with the less technically minded.

Electrum wallet is a old bitcoin wallet and it's well trusted because of its popularity, I have never use Electrum wallet before and I've never install to see what it looks like, I began my crypto journey with Copay bitcoin wallet and I love it, the only reason why a bitcoin project can be bad is not giving user their private keys or Mnemonic seed, meaning if anything happens they won't be able to recover their bitcoin

^^ true. Electrum is one of the best and most popular wallets. You will see many recommending it here but, personally, I don't think it's suitable for newbies especially the mobile version.
For example, it will take a newbie a long time before he figure out how the fee estimator works (ETA, Mempool, Static).
Also, the Android version does not support LN and the coin control feature is not implemented...
You have to test it with small amounts on android or run it on testnet till you get familiar with it.

I'm not that technical when it comes to wallet so I am using wallet that can be downloaded on Google Play / Playstore as it is very friendly to use (at least for me) and nothing has had happened to my wallet or phone so far.

Just wondering about what aspect that I'm vulnerable to hackers. Please educate me more on this.

Electrum is indeed the best Bitcoin wallet and I have also used it for a long time, because I think Electrum is very safe and easy to use (since I used it until now I have never had any problems), but I can also recommend you Trust Wallet, because in my opinion Trust Wallet is also very good for storing Bitcoin and in addition to storing Bitcoin, you can also store altcoin on Trust Wallet, so that it doesn't make you need a lot of wallet to store all coin you have, besides that in my opinion Trust Wallet is also very easy to use, because you can download Trust Wallet on Android and iOS, so it allows you to use Trust Wallet anywhere and anytime.

This shouldn't be an Altcoin Discussion thread. Should be on Electrum (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?board=98.0) child board.
What specific wallet you're using and you've downloaded on Google Play. I'll mind you that many fake wallet apps are all over there.

Most standalone bitcoin wallets are open source, if you can keep your private key safe there won't be a problem, I've heard about Electrum countless times but I have never used this wallet, i use coinomi wallet to keep big amount of Bitcoin since 2017 and nothing happened to my asset till today, this coinomi wallet is closed source as I heard, my advice is keeping your keys safe must be your top priority

Trust Wallet and I'mtoken to name a few. I make sure that what I downloaded is not fake.

I keep seeing a post that mobile wallet is dangerous but I have used it for almost three years now and I don't have any problem with it.

The only thing I make sure though is I don't connect to public WI-FI which they said is dangerous and that they can hack your phone with it.

If you will only into small Holding ,then electrum is good for you are this is really accessible and easy to use .

But if you are into Bigger activities here in Crypto and wanted a very secure Volt ,then better Use Ledger Over everything.
Aside from never put funds in Exchange for long time ,Ledger is one of the Best place to keep your funds safer.
Remember that Not your Key is not your Bitcoin.

I use electrum and find this wallet extremely convenient. Its only drawback is that if your system is compromised and an attacker gains access to both the application and the password from the wallet, then he can steal your bitcoins. Plus there is a risk of contracting a virus that replaces the clipboard, but this is already your responsibility.

For android as well you can use the electrum wallet which is available on smartphone operating systems as well but it is only for bitcoin so for holding multiple cryptocurrencies in android there are some reputed wallet like Coinomi and Trust wallet which are best compared to others still not better like electrum.

Electrum wallet one of the best solutions on the market, many will tell you that they themselves use this. I used it before I bought myself a ledger. The main thing is that you do not store your bitcoins on the exchange.

Yes, storing Bitcoin on any exchange is a very fatal mistake, because exchanges always have improvements that can sometimes cause losses to our assets, so the solution is better to use the Electrum Wallet or one of these types, because the security is far away better than on the exchange.

My only opinion or assessment regarding about the wallet here in cryptocurrency is that never download any wallet coming from the mobile phone apps, except for Trust wallet, then other than this wallet is not safe anymore and it has a high risk involved too that might danger your phone and all the important stored in your mobile phone anyway.

I would say that Electrum is one of the best wallets I've ever used, through the UI seems kinda old to me but the performance is superb. What I like about this wallet is it is open source and it has no hidden program just like other wallets have. But if you are into safety and you also do have some spare funds you could probably be taking a hardware wallet for better security. Electrum is not limited to your computer but also can be used through your mobile phone giving convenience to the user. However, you should not only stick to a single wallet you could also try to use other trusted wallets maybe that could suit your taste.

The only danger that it brings is when you've downloaded the fake one. But if you're aware of it and you make sure that you're getting the correct and official app, you don't have any problem to think of.
That's the warning why you see that there's a danger in downloading in Google Play because the developers who are only making phishing and fake wallets are rampant there.

It's absolutely the best and most recommended for anyone to store BTC. It's an open source wallet and very safe to use. Although its UI is not that top notch but it's very safe and woot give you any issues. Welcome to the family.

I am using coinbase more than three years and I have no problem which is also fast and secure my coins. It is a safe and secure for me. Beside, trust wallet is also good which I use.

You may haven't experience any problem with Coinbase but you need to reconsider using them as a cold storage. It is an exchange wallet and if you're just using it for trading, no problem.
But, if you're using it with the purpose of keeping your assets there. Then you're using it the wrong way. Because you haven't experienced having trouble keeping your assets on Coinbase, you're still good but don't wait until that time comes to you.

In my opinion, electrum is a convenient blockchain wallet located not on the client's computer, but on a distributed system of servers. Address generation is based on sid, in whole phrases. These phrases are used for recovery if necessary. You can change the commission for an already sent transaction.