Question 1

What is Phoenix Wallet?

Accepted Answer

Phoenix Wallet is a decentralized Bitcoin wallet for desktop with native Lightning Network support. It runs on Windows, macOS and Linux, and it keeps your keys on your own machine.

Question 2

Is Phoenix Wallet a Bitcoin wallet?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Phoenix holds bitcoin (BTC) and settles on the Bitcoin network. Lightning is a payment layer built on top of Bitcoin, not a different currency.

Question 3

Does Phoenix use a separate token?

Accepted Answer

No. There is no Phoenix coin or token of any kind. Balances in Phoenix are bitcoin.

Question 4

Is Phoenix self-custodial?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Keys are generated and stored on your device, and no account or custodian stands between you and your bitcoin. That also means only you hold the backup.

Question 5

What operating systems are supported?

Accepted Answer

Phoenix Wallet is built for desktop: Windows, macOS and Linux. Supported versions for a given build are stated in that release's notes.

Question 6

What is the difference between Bitcoin and Lightning?

Accepted Answer

Bitcoin is the settlement layer, where transactions are recorded in blocks. Lightning is a payment network built on top of Bitcoin using payment channels anchored by Bitcoin transactions, so payments can be exchanged quickly without each one being written to the blockchain immediately.

Question 7

Does Phoenix use real BTC?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Balances are bitcoin, held self-custodially, and they settle on the Bitcoin network.

Question 8

Is there a Lightning token?

Accepted Answer

No. The Lightning Network is a protocol, not a cryptocurrency. It has no coin, no token and no market price of its own — Lightning payments are denominated in bitcoin.

Question 9

Why use Lightning instead of only on-chain Bitcoin?

Accepted Answer

On-chain transactions compete for limited block space, so small everyday payments can be slow or costly. Lightning payments usually settle in seconds at lower cost, while Bitcoin remains the layer where value is ultimately settled.

Question 10

What is a Lightning channel?

Accepted Answer

A channel is a shared balance between two Lightning participants, backed by a Bitcoin transaction. Payments shift that balance instead of creating a new on-chain transaction each time.

Question 11

Does Phoenix automatically manage channels?

Accepted Answer

Phoenix abstracts much of the channel-management complexity from normal wallet usage, arranging channels as your usage requires rather than asking you to configure them. Channel operations still involve Bitcoin transactions and can carry a cost, which the application shows before you confirm.

Question 12

What is Lightning liquidity?

Accepted Answer

Liquidity describes where bitcoin sits in your channels. Funds on your side are outbound liquidity — what you can send. Room on the far side is inbound liquidity — what you can receive.

Question 13

What is splicing?

Accepted Answer

Splicing allows funds to be added to or removed from a Lightning channel using Bitcoin transactions without needing to treat every adjustment as a completely separate wallet workflow.

Question 14

Who controls my keys?

Accepted Answer

You do. Phoenix is self-custodial: keys are derived on your device from a locally generated seed, and no one else can sign transactions for you.

Question 15

Where is my recovery phrase stored?

Accepted Answer

Wherever you choose to record it. The desktop application shows the phrase once during wallet creation; you write it down and store it offline. Treat it as the master key to your funds.

Question 16

Does Phoenix Wallet store my recovery phrase online?

Accepted Answer

No. There is no server-side copy of your recovery phrase, and this website never receives or processes it.

Question 17

Will Phoenix support ever ask for my recovery phrase?

Accepted Answer

Never. No legitimate support channel will ask for your recovery phrase, private key or wallet password. Any request for those credentials is an attempt to steal your bitcoin.

Question 18

How should I back up my wallet?

Accepted Answer

Record the recovery phrase offline, in order, and store it somewhere physically secure — ideally with a second copy in a separate location. Avoid screenshots, cloud notes, email and photos.

Question 19

What happens if my computer is lost?

Accepted Answer

You reinstall Phoenix on another computer and restore from your recovery phrase inside the application. Without that phrase, the funds cannot be recovered by anyone, including us.

Question 20

Does Phoenix Wallet support Windows?

Accepted Answer

Choose Windows in the download section and review the Windows installation guide.

Question 21

Does Phoenix Wallet support macOS?

Accepted Answer

Choose macOS in the download section and review the macOS installation guide.

Question 22

Does Phoenix Wallet support Linux?

Accepted Answer

Choose Linux in the download section. The Linux installation guide explains package formats and verification.

Question 23

What are the system requirements?

Accepted Answer

System requirements vary by version. Review the version notes and installation guide for your operating system.

Question 24

Can I install Phoenix on multiple computers?

Accepted Answer

You can install the application anywhere, but a wallet's funds live with its keys. Restoring the same recovery phrase in two places is not a way to duplicate funds, and running the same Lightning wallet state in parallel is not advisable.

Question 25

Where should I download Phoenix Wallet?

Accepted Answer

Use the download section and the installation guide for your operating system. Verify the file before installing it.

Question 26

How can I verify my download?

Accepted Answer

Calculate the SHA256 checksum of the downloaded file and compare it with the checksum provided for that version. Follow the verification guide for your operating system.

Question 27

What is SHA256?

Accepted Answer

SHA256 is a cryptographic hash function. It turns a file into a fixed fingerprint, so if your file produces the published fingerprint, it is byte-for-byte the file that was published.

Question 28

Why should I avoid third-party download sites?

Accepted Answer

Mirrors, adverts and file-sharing links can serve modified installers that look identical but steal funds. Check the website address and verify the file checksum before installation.

Question 29

Does Phoenix Wallet charge fees?

Accepted Answer

Costs can arise where the Bitcoin network or a liquidity service is involved — for example opening or resizing a channel. The application shows the applicable amount before you confirm a payment.

Question 30

Are Lightning payments free?

Accepted Answer

No. Lightning payments are usually inexpensive, but nodes that forward a payment may charge a routing fee, and channel operations touch the Bitcoin blockchain.

Question 31

What are Bitcoin mining fees?

Accepted Answer

Mining fees are paid to Bitcoin miners for including an on-chain transaction in a block. They rise and fall with demand for block space and are not set by any wallet.

Question 32

What are channel/liquidity fees?

Accepted Answer

Opening or resizing a Lightning channel requires Bitcoin transactions, and arranging capacity to receive payments may involve a service fee. Both are shown before you confirm.

Question 33

Why is my payment pending?

Accepted Answer

An on-chain Bitcoin transaction stays pending until it is mined into a block. When the network is busy, transactions paying lower fees wait longer; the payment is not lost while it waits.

Question 34

Why might a Lightning payment fail?

Accepted Answer

Common causes are no route with enough liquidity for the amount, an offline recipient, or an expired invoice. A failed attempt does not move your funds — request a fresh invoice or try a smaller amount.

Question 35

Why can network fees change?

Accepted Answer

Bitcoin mining fees follow demand for block space, and Lightning routing fees are set by each forwarding node. Neither is fixed.

Question 36

Where can I get support?

Accepted Answer

Start with the documentation and this FAQ, which cover installation, payments, channels and recovery. Use the Support button to open the help chat. The chat lets you prepare a message locally; it does not send messages.

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