What if I receive bitcoins when my device is powered off? What happens if I receive bitcoins when my computer or smartphone is not online or powered off?
Solution

This works fine.

The bitcoins will appear next time I start my wallet application. (Read tuxcanfly answer)

Bitcoins are not actually received by the software (wallet) on my computer, they are appended to a public ledger that is shared between all the devices on the Bitcoin network. (Read SPRBRN comment)

If someone sent bitcoins when my wallet client program is not running and I launch it later, it will download all blocks and catch up with any transactions it did not already know about, and the bitcoins will eventually appear as if they were just received in real time.

My wallet is only needed when I wish to spend bitcoins!

Helpful resources


https://bitcoin.org/en/faq#what-if-i-receive-a-bitcoin-when-my-computer-is-powered-off
https://www.weusecoins.com/en/questions/#what-if-i-receive-a-bitcoin-when-my-computer-is-powered-off