Skylight Wallet is a free open-source Monero light wallet for Android, iOS and desktop. This review covers features, setup, comparisons and privacy trade-offs.
Skylight Wallet is a free, open-source, self-custody Monero light wallet developed by MAGIC Grants, a 501(c)(3) public charity. Released under the MIT license, the project first appeared publicly on November 24, 2025, with an initial Android version. Subsequent releases expanded support to iOS and desktop platforms.
Version 2.0.0 arrived on September 21, 2026, followed by version 2.1.0 on October 4, 2026. The latter updated the embedded Monero core to 0.18.5.3 and introduced alpha desktop builds with a redesigned interface. As a light wallet, Skylight does not run a full node by default. Users must connect to their own Monero Light-Wallet Server for off-device scanning or, since version 2.0.0, to a remote Monero node for local scanning. The developer operates no public LWS, so each user supplies or selects a trusted server. This architecture keeps the wallet lightweight across Android, iOS, and desktop while shifting scanning responsibility to the chosen backend.
Skylight Wallet includes built-in Tor support through the Arti implementation, which routes all connections privately without requiring external configuration. OpenAlias V2 integration allows users to send to human-readable addresses, with v2.0.0 adding initial Tor-only support and v2.1.0 extending it to full over-Tor operation. Subaddress generation and a built-in address book simplify managing multiple receiving addresses and frequent contacts.
Version 2.0.0, released September 21, 2026, introduced the major shift from LWS-only scanning to optional local node syncing, plus incoming transaction notifications. Version 2.1.0, released October 4, 2026, added complete light and dark themes, improved navigation, and background syncing with notifications on Android and iOS in LWS mode (remote node background scanning remains limited on iOS). The update also updated the Monero core to 0.18.5.3 and delivered alpha desktop builds with the redesigned interface. These changes maintain the wallet's self-custody model while giving users flexibility between remote LWS servers and direct node connections for scanning.
Skylight Wallet is available on Android through both the Google Play Store and the official F-Droid repository. The Google Play listing shows 100+ downloads as of September–October 2026. F-Droid added the app in July 2026 with reproducible builds, allowing users to verify the source matches the distributed binary.
iOS users can install it from the App Store, where updates for version 2.1.0 appeared in late September and early October 2026. Desktop support arrived as alpha builds in the same 2.1.0 release on October 4, 2026, with a redesigned interface but still limited stability and feature parity.
Before any platform can scan the blockchain, users must configure a trusted Monero Light-Wallet Server or a remote node. The project does not operate a public LWS, so the first step after installation is entering connection details for either option. Background syncing and notifications function on Android in LWS mode but remain restricted on iOS when using a remote node, and Tor support via Arti is available across builds once the node or server is set.
Skylight requires users to provide their own LWS or node for scanning, a requirement that places it outside typical Android wallet rankings according to one review. This setup contrasts with wallets offering public servers, shifting responsibility for connectivity and privacy to the operator.
| Wallet | Scanning Method | Platform Support | Fees | Tor Integration | Background Sync Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skylight | LWS or local node | Android, iOS, Desktop (alpha as of Oct 2026) | None | Built-in via Arti | Limited by platform; stronger in LWS mode on Android/iOS, restricted on iOS for remote nodes |
| Other Monero wallets | Varies, often public LWS available | Varies across mobile and desktop | None reported in comparable cases | Varies | Varies by implementation and connection type |
The table highlights Skylight's emphasis on user-controlled infrastructure, which avoids reliance on third-party scanning services but introduces setup overhead. Platform support includes reproducible builds on F-Droid and alpha desktop releases in version 2.1.0, features that differentiate it from more mature desktop options. Tor support via Arti is integrated by default, providing consistent routing without additional configuration in many scenarios. Background sync works reliably under LWS conditions on Android yet faces platform restrictions elsewhere, requiring users to weigh notification needs against operational limits. Fees remain absent across the compared options, aligning with Monero's typical self-custody model. Traders evaluating options should test node or LWS connectivity first, as Skylight provides no public endpoint.
Monero’s ring signatures, stealth addresses, and RingCT deliver robust transaction privacy, yet Skylight’s light-wallet design means users still introduce controllable exposure points. The wallet requires a user-supplied Light-Wallet Server or remote node for scanning; any operator of that service can observe addresses, balances, and transaction timing. Even with built-in Arti Tor support, IP leaks remain possible when the connection falls back to clearnet or when background sync uses non-Tor paths on iOS.
Users should treat the chosen LWS or node as a potential observer and apply these concrete steps:
These measures narrow the attack surface without claiming to eliminate all metadata risks inherent to any networked wallet.
Skylight runs on Android through Google Play and F-Droid, on iOS via the App Store, and offers alpha desktop builds for major operating systems as of the October 2026 releases.
Users must run or trust their own Monero LWS instance; the app provides no public server. Connect via the settings menu after installing the server software on a VPS or home node.
Notifications and background sync work in LWS mode on both Android and iOS, though iOS remote-node scanning is limited by system restrictions and may miss some incoming transactions.
Desktop support remains in alpha following the v2.1.0 release on 4 October 2026, so expect occasional UI issues and incomplete feature parity with the mobile apps.
The wallet is free, open-source software with no transaction fees, subscriptions, or monetization added by the developers.
Version 2.1.0 updated the core libraries to Monero 0.18.5.3, ensuring compatibility with the current network rules and recent protocol changes.
