Native staking in the Phantom browser extension lets you earn Solana (SOL) rewards by delegating directly to a validator on Solana. Your SOL stays in a stake account under your control. It's never converted into another token or routed through a smart contract, and rewards are paid in SOL to that account. This differs from liquid staking with Phantom Staked SOL (PSOL), where your SOL is pooled and you receive a token in return.
Choose a validator
When you stake natively, you choose a validator to delegate to. Validators process transactions and help secure Solana. Your choice affects your rewards and the network's decentralization.
Use these tools to compare validators:
| Link | Description |
|---|---|
| validators.app | View metrics such as APY, commission, vote performance, and skip rate. |
| topvalidators.app | Ranks validators by performance, trust signals, and user activity. |
As you compare, weigh commission rate, uptime, consistent vote performance, and whether the validator supports decentralization. Avoid staking only with the largest validators. Spreading stake across the network helps keep Solana decentralized.
Stake SOL natively
Mobile app
Not supported. Opening a native stake account is only available in the Phantom browser extension.
Browser extension
- In your token list, open Solana.
- Click More → Stake SOL.
- Click Native Staking.
- Select a validator, such as Phantom Validator.
- Enter the amount of SOL you want to stake.
- Click Stake.
Your SOL moves into a stake account in an "Activating" state. Rewards begin to accumulate after 2 to 3 days, once the account is "Active."
View your native staking rewards
Mobile app
- In your token list, open Solana.
- Under Your Stake, tap Other.
- Under Native, tap the stake account you want to view.
- Under Last Reward, review the most recent reward for that account.
Browser extension
- In your token list, open Solana.
- Under Your Stake, click Other.
- Under Native, click the stake account you want to view.
- Under Last Reward, review the most recent reward for that account.
View a full reward history
To view your full reward history by epoch, use solanabeach.io.
- Go to solanabeach.io in your browser.
- Enter your Solana address. To find it in Phantom, see Find your wallet address in Phantom.
- Click Stake Accounts.
- Select a stake account.
- Click Stake Rewards to view rewards by epoch. To download your reward history, click Download CSV.
Unstake SOL
You can unstake anytime. Solana runs on epochs, which typically last 2 to 3 days.
Mobile app
- In your token list, open Solana.
- Under Your Stake, tap Other.
- Tap the stake account you want to unstake.
- Tap Unstake.
Browser extension
- In your token list, open Solana.
- Under Your Stake, click Other.
- Click the stake account you want to unstake.
- Click Unstake.
After unstaking, you can withdraw your SOL to your wallet once the account becomes "Inactive."
Withdraw SOL after unstaking
Once a stake account becomes "Inactive," you need to withdraw it manually.
Mobile app
- In your token list, open Solana.
- Under Your Stake, tap Other.
- Tap the "Inactive" stake account you want to withdraw from.
- Tap Withdraw Stake.
Browser extension
- In your token list, open Solana.
- Under Your Stake, click Other.
- Click the "Inactive" stake account you want to withdraw from.
- Click Withdraw Stake.
Your SOL returns to your wallet within a few seconds, and the stake account closes automatically.
Stake account lifecycle
Your stake account moves through four states:
| State | What it means |
|---|---|
| "Activating" | Delegated to a validator, not yet earning rewards. Becomes "Active" at the next epoch. |
| "Active" | Earning staking rewards. |
| "Deactivating" | Unstaking in progress. Locked until the current epoch ends. |
| "Inactive" | No longer staked. Ready to withdraw to your wallet. |
You can track the current epoch progress at solanabeach.io or explorer.solana.com.
Common issues
Stake isn't showing up
New stake accounts can take a few seconds to appear in your wallet. Refresh the token page and check the Your Stake section again.
Stake is still "Activating" or "Deactivating"
Solana uses epochs to manage stake timing. Changes take effect at the start of an epoch, which typically lasts 2 to 3 days. An "Activating" stake becomes "Active" at the start of the next epoch. A "Deactivating" stake becomes "Inactive" at the start of the next epoch. You can check epoch progress at solanabeach.io or explorer.solana.com.
I unstaked but my SOL isn't in my wallet
Unstaking doesn't return SOL to your wallet automatically. Once a stake account becomes "Inactive," withdraw SOL manually. Follow the steps in Withdraw SOL after unstaking.
I can't find my stake in any account
Your stake account may be associated with a different wallet address than the one you're currently using. This can happen if you restored your wallet with a different recovery phrase than the one you used when you staked. Check the original wallet address on solanabeach.io and look for stake accounts associated with it. If the stake belongs to a different wallet, restore that wallet to access it.
FAQ
Can I add more SOL to my existing stake?
No. Once a stake account is created, you can't add more SOL to it. You have two options: create a new stake account or unstake and restake with a higher amount.
Can I stake natively through the Phantom mobile app?
No. Native staking is only available in the Phantom browser extension. You can view, unstake, and withdraw existing native stakes on mobile.