How to Send Bitcoin to Another Wallet: Step-by-Step Guide

When you learn how to send Bitcoin to another wallet, you’re stepping into the core mechanism of crypto: transferring value directly, without banks. If it’s your first time, terms like “network fee” and “confirmations” can make the process feel more complex than it really is.

In practice, it comes down to a secure wallet, an accurate recipient address, and a few safety habits. This guide walks you through the exact flow—so you can send BTC confidently, avoid common mistakes, and track your transfer until it’s confirmed.

Table of Contents

• 1. Basics: what to understand before sending BTC
• 2. How to choose and set up a wallet
• 3. How to get the recipient address correctly
• 4. Prepare the transfer: balance, fees, and notes
• 5. Step-by-step: how to send Bitcoin
  • Step 1: Open the send screen
  • Step 2: Paste the address or scan a QR
  • Step 3: Enter the amount
  • Step 4: Set the network fee
  • Step 5: Review details
  • Step 6: Confirm and send
  • Step 7: Save the TXID and status
• 6. Confirmations and what to do if a transaction gets “stuck”
• 7. Security: checklist and common mistakes
• 8. When you also need a swap: converting BTC to other assets
• 9. FAQ
• 10. Wrap-up and your next step

Basics: what to understand before sending BTC

Bitcoin works as a distributed ledger: transactions are validated by the network and recorded on the blockchain. You don’t “hold coins” physically—you control access through a private key. That’s why a crypto wallet isn’t just an app; it’s a tool for managing keys securely.

A Bitcoin address is similar to an account number: it tells the network where funds should go. In modern wallets you’ll see addresses that start with 1, 3, or bc1. These are different formats, but they all represent a destination on the Bitcoin network. If you make a mistake, there’s no typical bank-style reversal—Bitcoin transfers are designed to be irreversible.

Two more concepts matter before your first send: network fees and confirmations. The fee is what incentivizes miners to inсlude your transaction in a block. Confirmations are the number of blocks added on top of the block containing your transaction. Many cases are fine with 1–3 confirmations, while some services require more.

How to choose and set up a wallet

To send BTC confidently, choose a wallet where you control the keys and backup phrase. The best option depends on how you use Bitcoin and the amounts you manage.

Common wallet types

• Mobile and desktop wallets — great for everyday transfers. Security depends on device protection, updates, and safe browsing habits.
• Hardware wallets — keep keys offline and are often preferred for longer-term storage.
• Exchange wallets — convenient for trading, but the service holds the keys. Enable 2FA and verify withdrawal addresses carefully.
• Offline backups — not a wallet type by itself, but essential: your seed phrase should be stored offline.

Set up your wallet without rushing

Install wallet software only from official sources. When you reach the backup screen, slow down: the seed phrase (often 12–24 words) can restore your wallet if your phone or computer is lost. Keep it offline—on paper or metal—somewhere safe. Screenshots and cloud notes are risky because they can sync and leak.

If your wallet offers extra security layers, use them: PIN, biometrics, app passwords, and (when available) an additional confirmation step for sending. The more important the funds, the more conservative your security settings should be.

How to get the recipient address correctly

To send BTC, you need the recipient’s exact Bitcoin address. People usually share it as text or a QR code. The key risks here are simple human error and address substitution by malware.

• Don’t type addresses manually — copy/paste or scan a QR code.
• Verify the first and last characters — a quick way to spot a mismatch.
• Check the format — most wallets support multiple address types, but it’s still worth confirming.
• Don’t rely on old saved addresses — for larger transfers, ask the recipient to confirm the current address.

If the recipient uses an exchange deposit address, make sure it’s specifically a BTC deposit address, not an address for another network. If a service shows extra fields like “Memo” or “Tag,” follow the platform’s instructions (those fields are more common outside Bitcoin, but always respect what the recipient service requires).

Prepare the transfer: balance, fees, and notes

Before you send, check three things: your available balance, the network fee, and how urgent the transfer is. On Bitcoin, the fee typically depends on network congestion and transaction size in bytes—not the amount you’re sending. So a small payment can still require a meaningful fee during busy periods.

A helpful habit is to choose fees based on mempool conditions (the queue of unconfirmed transactions) and your urgency. If it’s not time-sensitive, you can pick a slower option. If you’re depositing to an exchange ahead of a deadline, choose a recommended fast fee.

Some wallets also let you add a note for your own records (for example, “move to cold storage” or “payment”). It’s useful for bookkeeping, but avoid sensitive details—notes usually stay in your app rather than on-chain, yet it’s still best to keep them minimal.

Step-by-step: how to send Bitcoin

This flow is universal across wallets, even if buttons look different. The best approach is calm and methodical—accuracy beats speed in crypto.

Step 1: Open the send screen

Find Send, Transfer, or a similar button. If your wallet supports multiple assets, confirm you’re sending BTC.

Step 2: Paste the address or scan a QR

Paste the recipient address into the address field or scan the QR code. After it populates, compare the first and last 4–6 characters with what the recipient provided.

Step 3: Enter the amount

Enter the amount in BTC or sats. Some wallets show a fiat estimate, but it’s helpful to think in BTC/sats when checking fees. For a new address or a large transfer, consider a small test send first.

Step 4: Set the network fee

Most wallets offer presets like “economy,” “standard,” and “fast.” For your first transfer, choosing the recommended fee is usually the safest option. If you go manual, avoid setting fees too low unless you understand how congestion affects confirmation times.

Step 5: Review details

Before you confirm, pause and verify:

• recipient address (first/last characters);
• amount;
• fee;
• total spend (amount + fee);
• asset selected (BTC).

Step 6: Confirm and send

Confirm with your PIN, password, or biometrics. If the wallet warns about low fees or unusual address behavior, take it seriously—go back and double-check instead of clicking through.

Step 7: Save the TXID and status

After sending, your wallet will show a transaction ID (TXID) and a status such as “pending.” The TXID is your receipt: you can use it to check whether the network sees your transaction and how many confirmations it has.

Confirmations and what to do if a transaction gets “stuck”

Bitcoin blocks are produced roughly every 10 minutes on average, but it’s not a strict schedule. With an appropriate fee, first confirmation often arrives within about an hour, yet heavy congestion can increase wait times.

How many confirmations are “enough”

For personal transfers between your own wallets, one confirmation is often sufficient to treat the transfer as completed. Exchanges and payment services may have their own policies: some accept 1–2 confirmations, others require more. If you’re sending to a service, follow its confirmation requirement.

If it remains unconfirmed for a long time

The most common cause is a fee that’s too low relative to current mempool congestion. Your options depend on the wallet:

• RBF (rеplace-By-Fee) — if the transaction was marked replaceable, you can raise the fee to improve its priority.
• CPFP (Child Pays For Parent) — an advanced technique: create a child transaction with a higher fee that incentivizes miners to confirm both.
• Wait it out — if congestion eases, lower-fee transactions may confirm later.

The key is not to panic. Check the TXID, confirm the transaction is propagating, and use the options your wallet supports.

Security: checklist and common mistakes

With Bitcoin, you’re responsible for both accuracy and security. The upside is that most problems are prevented by a few repeatable habits.

Common beginner mistakes

• Sending to the wrong address — avoid manual typing; always copy/QR and verify the first/last characters.
• Underpaying fees — can cause long delays. Use recommended fees when time matters.
• Phishing and fake apps — install only from official sources; ignore “verify your wallet” messages and suspicious links.
• No seed backup — losing your device can mean losing access. Store the seed phrase offline and verify it’s correct.
• Mixing networks — send BTC only to a Bitcoin address. If something looks off, stop and confirm before proceeding.

A quick checklist before every send

• Device and wallet are updated; PIN/biometrics enabled.
• Address pasted; first/last characters verified.
• Amount and fee checked; total spend is clear.
• For large transfers, do a small test transaction first.

When you also need a swap: converting BTC to other assets

Sometimes your goal isn’t just sending BTC—you may also want to convert it into another asset, such as a stablecoin for short-term payments or accounting. In those cases, a conversion flow can be more convenient: pick the pair, enter the amount, and receive the result with fewer manual steps.

To keep conversions practical, focus on the final “you receive” amount and pay attention to network fees if you withdraw to an external wallet. If you exchange frequently, it helps to compare the quoted output and the expected confirmation time before you commit.

If you like having visual context, a live chart can help you understand what’s happening in the market at the moment (without turning it into a guessing game). It’s optional for sending BTC, but useful for broader awareness.

Practical tip: if you’re sending BTC to a friend or to your own second wallet, complete the transfer first and wait for confirmation—then do swaps. That reduces mistakes caused by multitasking.

FAQ

Wrap-up and your next step

To send Bitcoin to another wallet, you only need a few essentials: a secure wallet, the correct recipient address, and careful review on the confirmation screen. After broadcast, confirmations and fees determine how quickly it finalizes, and the TXID lets you track everything transparently.

Make it routine: verify addresses, do test sends for larger amounts, pick fees based on urgency, and store your seed phrase offline. With those habits, sending BTC becomes a simple, repeatable action—direct, controlled, and reliable.

Want to lock it in? Try a small test transfer to your own second wallet, wait for a confirmation, and save the TXID. That hands-on loop is the fastest way to build confidence.