Dive into the cryptographic principles that power Bitcoin wallets.
Introduction
1️⃣ Prerequisites
- Compatible Smartphone: A iOS (iPhone or iPad) or Android device
- Internet connection
- Secure backup media: Write down your recovery phrase (12 words) on paper or metal and store it in a safe place.
- Basic knowledge: A minimum understanding of Bitcoin concepts (addresses, transactions, fees) is useful, although this tutorial explains each step for beginners.
2️⃣ Installation
- Apple App Store (for iOS devices)
- Google Play Store (for Android devices)
- Download the APK directly from GitHub Releases page or
- Install through the Nostr-compatible Zapstore
3️⃣ Initial configuration
Create New WalletRecover WalletandAdvanced Options
Advanced Options.- Enable the
Tor proxyto route traffic over the Tor network. 1. Orbot app needs to be installed and running before enabling 2. Tor Proxy only applies to Bitcoin (not Liquid) and may result in a slower connection. - Setup a
Custom Electrum Server, or - Adjust the
Recover Bullsettings. We will learn more about the Recover Bull later.
Done. If you wish to re-use an existing Wallet, click on Recover Wallet and fill in the 12 words of your recovery phrase.Create a New Wallet.4️⃣ Home Screen
Home Screen to get oriented:- the
transaction overviewandsettings menuis located at the top. - The
Available Balancehas a privacy option that can beturned on or off. - Access the
Bitcoin Bull ExchangetoBuy, Sell, or Pay(this depends on the jurisdiction and may require KYC). Transferof funds between walletsSecure Bitcoinequals Onchain Bitcoin WalletInstant paymentsvia the Lightning- / Liquid Network (Note: Bull Bitcoin Wallet enables payments to be made and received via Lightning. Funds received via Lightning are stored on the *Liquid network (in the Wallet Instant Payments) thanks to an automatic swap via *Boltz exchange. This gives you the ability to interact with Lightning without having to manage liquidity channels, while remaining in self-custody.)SendandReceiveof funds
Backup.5️⃣ Backup
gear icon (⚙) in the top right corner of the app and select Wallet Backup. You will be presented with two methods for securing your wallet: Encrypted Vault and Physical Backup. Let's explore each one.Physical Backup
Physical Backup to see a list of 12 words that represent your recovery or seed phrase. Please consider the following:- Write down your
recovery phrasewith the utmost care. Write it down on paper or metal and keep it in a safe place (safe deposit box, offline location). This phrase is your only means of accessing your bitcoins in the event of loss of your device or deletion of the application. - It's also important to note that anyone with this phrase can steal all your bitcoins. Never store it digitally:
- No screenshot
- No cloud, email or messaging backups
- No copy/paste (risk of saving to clipboard)
Encrypted vault
Recoverbull is a backup protocol that simplifies securing your Bitcoin wallet by splitting the backup into two parts. First, your wallet's backup file is encrypted on your device using a strong encryption key. You can save this encrypted file wherever you want, such as Google Drive or your device. Second, the encryption key needed to unlock the file is stored by the Recoverbull Key Server. To recover your wallet, you need both the encrypted backup file and the key, which you access with your PIN or password. This design ensures that your cloud backup alone is useless and that the key server alone is useless without your specific backup file. This keeps your funds safe even if one part is compromised.Recoverbull wallet backup protocol here.Encrypted vault and then Continue to confirm using the Default Server. The connection will be routed through the Tor Network to ensure privacy and anonymity.App Unlock PIN: The optional PIN set inSettings > Security PINto lock the app on your phone.Recovery PIN: The mandatory PIN created during theEncrypted Vaultbackup process, used to decrypt your backup file during recovery.
- You must create a PIN or Password to recover access to your wallet.
- The PIN / Password must be at least 6 digits long (e.g., avoid simple sequences like 123456, which are not accepted).
- Without this PIN, wallet recovery is impossible.
Google Driveor- a
custom location(e.g. your device)
backup file. Next, tap Test Recovery, select your saved backup file or vault, and then tap Decrypt Vault. Enter your PIN or Password. If everything worked, the Test completed successfully screen will appear.Import / Export Labels
Labels. The Bull Bitcoin wallet enhances privacy and organization by allowing users to create custom labels for their receiving addresses and transactions. These labels help you categorize your funds, as transactions sent to a labeled address will inherit that label, and you can also label outbound transactions to track their change. The wallet fully supports the BIP-329 standard, which means you can export all your labels to a file and import them into another wallet. This feature ensures you can seamlessly back up your transaction history and categorizations, or migrate them between different instances of the wallet, without losing your personalized organization.6️⃣ Settings
A - Securing access
Settings and choose Security PIN to select PIN Code. Create a strong PIN to lock access to your wallet. While this step is optional, it is highly recommended to prevent unauthorized access if someone else uses your phone.B - Connection to a personal node (optional)
Settings > Bitcoin Settings > Electrum Server Settings, then tap + Add Custom Server to enter your server's address and credentials.C - Currency
sats and USD. To change this, navigate to Settings > Currency. There, you can toggle between sats/BTC and select your default fiat currency.D - Bitcoin Settings
Bitcoin Settings menu offering deep access to your wallet's core configurations and data. Here, you can inspect the fundamental details of your Secure Bitcoin and Instant payments wallets, giving you full transparency and control. Key features within this menu include:- Wallet Details: Navigate to your Secure Bitcoin or Instant payments wallet to view specific information.
- Wallet Fingerprint: A unique identifier for your wallet.
- Public Key (Pubkey): The key used to generate your Bitcoin receiving addresses.
- Descriptor: A technical summary of your wallet's structure.
- Derivation Path: The specific path used to generate all addresses from your master private key.
- Address View: Access a list of your unused receiving addresses and change addresses (coming soon)
Enable Auto Transfersettings to set a maximum instant wallet balance, which will then be automatically transferred to the secure bitcoin wallet.- Import Generic wallets via
MnemonicPhrase or importwatch-only - Connect
Hardware wallets: currently supported devices are ColdcardQ, SeedSigner, Specter, Krux, Blockstream Jade and Foundation Passport
7️⃣ Bull Bitcoin Exchange
Exchange in the bottom right corner, then Sign up or Login to your account.- Buy Bitcoin with self-custody from your bank account
- Non-custodial
- Individuals or corporations
- Instant withdrawal
- No hidden fees
- Lightning Network available
- No transaction limits
- Recurring buy options
8️⃣ Receiving funds
- The
Bitcoin (onchain)network for secure, long-term storage. - The
Liquidnetwork for fast, more confidential transactions. - The
Lightningnetwork for instant, low-cost payments.
Receiving via Onchain (Bitcoin network)
Secure Bitcoin Wallet from the Home screen and tap Receive, or tap the main Receive button and then choose the Bitcoin network.bitcoin:<address>?<parameter1>=<value1>&<parameter2>=<value2>.- Additional Input Parameters:
- Amount: Specify a requested amount in BTC, sats, or a fiat currency.
- Message: Add a personal note that will be visible to the sender.
- PayJoin: Enable this option to improve privacy by combining inputs from both the sender and receiver in the transaction.
bitcoin:bc1q0vv86t2sj7daduvdc50njms6u6jzh2y54xxxxx?amount=0.0005&message=Tip+for+tutorial&pj=HTTPS%3A%2F%2FPAYJO.IN%2F78UH9WZUP8KKJ%23RK1Q2H30FASCU9WW09DQY2LK0K8P2DPRJ99V72CA78ACQAEL675QYTMQ+OH1QYP87E2AVMDKXDTU6R25WCPQ5ZUF02XHNPA65JMD8ZA2W4YRQN6UUWG+EX1L0LYV6G
Copy or scan Address only option enabled, the application generates a simple Bitcoin address in SegWit (bech32) format.bc1q0vv86t2sj7daduvdc50njms6u6jzh2y54x3g56
Receiving via the Liquid Network
Receive screen, you have the same two options for generating a payment request:Liquid address. This is a unique identifier for your wallet on the Liquid network and does not include any specific amount or message.lq1qq05k3vmnvbullbitcoinjujn6h04z9jtw53xuyktqf9mam2zpfz05j2fe2x8xhejgkga3nvmp4yyp35qynkcw2xqmy7xxxxxxx
- Amount: You can set the amount in Bitcoin (BTC), Satoshis (Sats), or a fiat currency.
- Note: Add a personal message to identify the transaction.
liquidnetwork:lq1qqdhgs7w537nun55a5sdy4gxkd08pclk3d7v4qz36sy4xp0cq6gvl52fcfv7kdgkgzmfycrud0zsygqgyjclycckpasxxxxxx?amount=0.00001&message=Test&assetid=6f0279e9ed041c3d710a9f57d0c02928416460c4b722ae3457a11eec381c526d
address or URI. You can do this by copying it to your clipboard or by having them scan the QR code directly from your screen.Receiving via Lightning
Liquid Network within your Instant Payments Wallet. This service is powered by Boltz. This design enables you to enjoy the speed and low cost of Lightning without the complexity of managing liquidity channels, all while maintaining full self-custody of your funds. While this hybrid approach is self-custodial and avoids the complexity of managing channels, it introduces a third-party service (Boltz), a small swap fee, and reliance on the Liquid Network's federation of functionaries as keyholders, which is different from a traditional, non-custodial Lightning wallet where you manage your own channels. You can learn more about Liquid and there governance model here:- Limits:
- Minimum Amount: A minimum invoice amount is required. Please check the app for the current limit
- Fees: You, the receiver, are responsible for a small swap fee. This fee is deducted from the amount the sender transfers and is subject to change
- Benefits:
- Self-Custodial: Your funds are always under your control, secured on the Liquid network.
- Avoid High On-Chain Fees: By using Lightning and storing on Liquid, you bypass the on-chain fees associated with opening a traditional Lightning channel. You can choose to move funds to an on-chain channel later, when the accumulated amount justifies the expense.
- Tip: For the most cost-effective transaction between two Bull Bitcoin users, use the Liquid network directly to avoid the Lightning swap fees entirely.
Lightning invoice:Enter an Amount: Specify the amount you wish to receive in Bitcoin (BTC), Satoshis (Sats), or a fiat currency.Add a Note(Optional): Include a memo or note. This will be embedded in the invoice and displayed in your transaction history once the payment is complete, making it easier to identify.Invoice Validity: The Lightning invoice is time-sensitive and expires after 12 hours. If it is not paid within this period, it becomes invalid, and you will need to generate a new one.
9️⃣ Sending funds
Bitcoin, Liquid, or Lightning—based on the address or invoice you enter, whether pasted or scanned via QR code.On-Chain Transmission via the Bitcoin Network
Send Button down right, and scan or enter a standard Bitcoin address.Replace-by-Fee (RBF) is enabled by default, which is a valuable feature that allows you to accelerate a transaction if it becomes stuck in the mempool by re-broadcasting it with a higher fee. You can also manually select which Unspent Transaction Outputs (UTXOs) to spend from. This is a powerful tool for UTXO consolidation, a strategy where you combine multiple small inputs into a single larger one. While this may cost more in fees for the current transaction, it can significantly reduce fees on future transactions, especially if network fees are expected to rise.pj= parameter. If you simply paste a plain address with no extra parameters, this feature will not be activated. This collaborative method enhances privacy by combining inputs from both the sender and the receiver, breaking the common-input-ownership heuristic and allowing for better scaling and fee savings in some circumstances as well.Sending to the Liquid Network
Liquid Network is designed for fast, confidential transactions with minimal fees. When you send funds via Liquid, they are withdrawn from your Instant Payments Wallet. The process is straightforward: you simply enter or scan the recipient's Liquid address.Sending to the Lightning Network
[email protected]) which allows you to set the amount and an optional note for the recipient, or scan a invoice with a pre-defined amount, which takes you directly to the confirmation screen.Instant Payments Wallet (on Liquid) and swapping them via Boltz. This hybrid approach is fully self-custodial and avoids the high on-chain fees of managing a dedicated Lightning channel, but it requires paying a swap fee. For the lowest cost, send directly to a recipient's Liquid address if they also use a Bull Bitcoin wallet.🔟 Transferring Funds Between Your Wallets
Secure Bitcoin wallet and your Instant Payments Wallet on the Liquid Network or to an external Wallet. To perform a transfer, simply navigate to the Transfer section, select the source and destination wallets, enter the amount you wish to move, and confirm the transaction.1️⃣1️⃣ Recovering Your Bull Bitcoin Wallet
Recoverbull method and using a standard BIP39 seed phrase.Method 1: Recoverbull
Welcome screen again. This time, select the Recover Wallet option. Then, navigate to the Encrypted Vault method, confirm using the Default Key server, and select the location or Vault provider where you stored the backup file.Decrypt Vault button and enter the PIN. The next screen will show your balances and the number of transactions that were recovered.Method 2: Seed Phrase
Recover Wallet. This time, choose the Physical backup method. The app will present a grid of words. Carefully select each word of your 12 -word seed phrase in the correct order. Be meticulous, as a single mistake will result in an incorrect wallet.1️⃣2️⃣ Connecting a Hardware Wallet
cold storage. This means keeping the private keys that control your Bitcoin on a device that is never connected to the internet. A hardware wallet (or Signing device) is a specialized physical device designed for this exact purpose. It acts like a digital vault for your keys, ensuring they are never exposed to the potential threats of an online computer or smartphone.Importing a Wallet
Export Wallet, then choose Bull Wallet. Your Coldcard will generate a QR code.Settings > Bitcoin Settings > Import wallet and select Coldcard Q on your phone and tap Open the camera to scan this QR code to import your hardware wallet's public keys.Receiving with Coldcard Q
- Tap on your imported Coldcard Q signing device and select
Receive. - The app will automatically display a fresh Bitcoin address from your Coldcard's wallet.
- Use this address to receive funds. The Bitcoin will be secured directly to the hardware wallet's keys, even though the device was offline during the process.
Sending with Coldcard Q
Coldcard Q wallet and tap on Send. Then, open the camera to scan the QR code for the receiving address. After scanning, enter the amount you want to send and adjust the fee priority as needed.Replace by Fee (RBF) option, which is activated by default and allows you to speed up a stuck transaction later. You also have the Coin Control option, which lets you manually select the specific UTXOs you wish to spend.Show PSBT to prepare the transaction.Scan button on your Coldcard Q and use its camera to scan the QR code displayed on your phone. The Coldcard screen will then show you all the transaction details. Carefully verify the amount, the recipient address, and your change address. If everything is correct, press the Enter button on the Coldcard Q to sign the transaction. Next, a QR code of the signed transaction will appear on the screen.I'm done, then tap the Camera button to scan the QR code of the signed transaction from your Coldcard Q. The Bull Wallet will now display a summary screen of the signed transaction. Review it one last time, then tap Broadcast Transaction. This finalizes the process by sending the transaction to the Bitcoin network, and your funds will be on their way.🎯 Conclusion
PayJoin, which hides your transactions on the blockchain, and Tor integration, which masks your network activity from prying eyes. For those who want ultimate control, you can connect to your own personal Bitcoin node to stop relying on third-party servers, and use a Hardware wallet to keep your private keys completely offline and safe. With smart backup options and seamless support for Bitcoin, Liquid, and Lightning, the Bull Bitcoin Wallet is a strong, all-in-one choice for anyone who is serious about keeping their funds private, secure, and fully under their own control.📚 Bull Wallet Resources
Author
This tutorial has been written by runningbitcoin
You can say thanks by tipping the professor.
I like ₿itcoin
Credits
This tutorial has been proofread by runningbitcoin21
Even if this content is in its original language, human review is necessary to ensure its accuracy.
runningbitcoin213 199 sats1 600 satsEvery content on the platform is the result of a collaborative effort: each lesson, translation, and revision is made possible by the work of contributors. For this reason, we are always looking for proofreaders who can review our content in many languages. If you want to participate in the proofreading process, please reach out in our Telegram group and read our tutorial. We remind you that this content is open-source - licensed under CC BY-SA - so it can be freely shared and used, as long as the original source is credited.


