> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.cakewallet.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.cakewallet.com/features/basic/bitcoin-lightning.md).

# Bitcoin Lightning

Lightning lets you send and receive Bitcoin instantly, with fees measured in fractions of a cent — perfect for everyday payments where waiting for on-chain confirmations doesn't make sense.

Cake Wallet's Lightning support is powered by **Spark**, a new Bitcoin scaling network, through the Breez SDK. What that means for you: it's self-custodial and there are no channels to open, manage, or rebalance — it just works. The honest tradeoff: your Lightning balance lives on the Spark network rather than on the Bitcoin chain itself, so treat it like a spending balance and keep larger amounts on-chain.

{% hint style="info" %}
Lightning is available on Bitcoin wallets on mobile and macOS (not Windows/Linux), and is enabled by default. You can turn it off under `Settings` → `Privacy` → `Enable Lightning`.
{% endhint %}

## Your Lightning balance

Your Bitcoin wallet's home screen has two chips at the top left: the Bitcoin chip for your on-chain balance, and the ⚡ chip for Lightning. Tap ⚡ to see your Lightning balance (shown in sats) with `Deposit` and `Withdraw` buttons.

![Lightning balance view with Deposit and Withdraw](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cake-tech/docs-assets/main/v6.3.1/lightning_wallet_01_home_hl.png)

## Receive on Lightning

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Open the Lightning receive tab

Tap `Receive`, tap the address type under the QR code, and choose `Lightning`.

![Address type sheet with Lightning option](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cake-tech/docs-assets/main/v6.3.1/lightning_wallet_06_receive-types_hl.png)
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Share your Lightning address

Your wallet gets a Lightning address — like `carrotcake@cake.cash` — that anyone can pay from any Lightning wallet, any amount, any time. Share it as text or let them scan the QR. Use `Set amount` to request a specific amount instead.

![Lightning receive screen with Lightning address](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cake-tech/docs-assets/main/v6.3.1/lightning_wallet_05_receive_hl.png)
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

## Pick your Lightning username

Cake Wallet offers you a username when you create a Bitcoin wallet, and you can change it any time under `Settings` → `Lightning Username`. Choose a custom name (letters, numbers, `-`, `_`, `.`) or tap the shuffle icon for a random one — it becomes your `yourname@cake.cash` address.

![Changing the Lightning username](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cake-tech/docs-assets/main/v6.3.1/settings_lightning-username_02_edit_hl.png)

## Send on Lightning

Sending works from the same `Send` screen as on-chain Bitcoin: paste or scan a Lightning invoice or a Lightning address, and Cake Wallet routes the payment over Lightning automatically. Payments settle in seconds — ordinary Lightning sends and receives never wait for on-chain confirmations.

## Move between on-chain and Lightning

Use the `Deposit` and `Withdraw` buttons on the Lightning balance view:

* **Deposit to Lightning** — moves on-chain BTC into your Lightning balance. The sheet shows the network fee estimate up front, and `Advanced Settings` includes [Coin Control](https://docs.cakewallet.com/features/advanced/coin-control) for choosing which outputs to use.
* **Withdraw to on-chain** — moves sats from Lightning back to your on-chain Bitcoin balance, as an on-chain transaction.

![Deposit to Lightning sheet](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cake-tech/docs-assets/main/v6.3.1/lightning_wallet_02_deposit.png)

![Withdraw to on-chain sheet](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cake-tech/docs-assets/main/v6.3.1/lightning_wallet_04_withdraw.png)

{% hint style="info" %}
**Six confirmations applies only to moving funds in and out of Lightning.** Deposits and withdrawals bridge between the Bitcoin chain and Spark, so both wait for six on-chain confirmations before the funds land on the other side — and deposits pay a normal on-chain fee. Sending and receiving *on* Lightning is unaffected: Lightning-to-Lightning payments are instant and never wait for confirmations. Small, frequent moves add up in fees — deposit what you plan to spend.
{% endhint %}


---

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