This article explains how to stake SOL using native staking in Phantom. With native staking, you delegate SOL directly to a validator on the Solana network. Your SOL is held in a stake account, stays under your control, and isn’t converted into another token or routed through a smart contract. Rewards are paid in SOL to your stake account.
Native staking is different from liquid staking with Phantom Staked SOL (PSOL). With PSOL, your SOL is pooled and you receive a token in return.
Stake SOL with native staking
- Select Solana in your portfolio.
- Select More → Stake SOL.
- Select Native Staking.
- Select a validator. If you're not sure which to choose, see Which validator should I stake with?
- Enter the amount of SOL you want to stake.
- Select Stake.
Your SOL moves into a stake account and begins activating. It may take a few seconds for the stake account to appear. Once it’s available, you can find it on the Solana token page under Your Stake.
Your stake will begin earning rewards after 2–3 days, once your stake account becomes active.
Unstake your natively staked SOL
You can unstake at any time. The Solana network uses epochs, which typically last about two to three days. After you unstake, you can withdraw your SOL once the stake account becomes inactive.
- Select Solana in your portfolio.
- Select Your Stake → Other.
- Select the validator or stake account you want to unstake from.
- Select Unstake.
Withdraw SOL after unstaking
You can withdraw SOL as soon as the stake account becomes inactive.
- Select Solana in your portfolio.
- Select Your Stake → Other.
- Select the inactive stake account you want to withdraw from.
- Select Withdraw Stake.
Your SOL returns to your wallet balance within a few seconds, and the stake account closes automatically.
Troubleshooting
My stake isn't showing up
It can take a few seconds for new stake accounts to appear in your wallet. Refresh the token page and check the Your Stake section again.
My stake is still activating or deactivating
Solana uses epochs to manage stake timing. Changes take effect at the start of an epoch.
- If your stake is activating, it becomes active at the start of the next epoch.
- If your stake is deactivating, it becomes inactive at the start of the next epoch.
You can track the current epoch progress at solanabeach.io or explorer.solana.com.
My stake is inactive, but I haven’t received my SOL
If the stake account is inactive, you still need to withdraw SOL from the stake account. Follow the steps in Withdraw SOL after unstaking.
FAQ
Can I add more SOL to my existing stake?
No. After a stake account is created, you can’t add more SOL to it.
You can do one of the following:
Create a new stake account and stake more SOL
- Select Solana in your portfolio.
- Select Your Stake → Other.
- Select the plus button in the upper-right corner.
- Select Native Staking.
- Select the same validator, enter an amount, then select Stake.
Unstake and restake with a higher amount
- Unstake your current stake account.
- Wait for the stake to become inactive.
- Withdraw SOL back to your wallet.
- Stake again with the new total amount.