Last updated
Last updated
To use MetaMask as a browser extension for managing your cryptocurrency and interacting with decentralized applications (dApps), follow these steps:
Step 1: Visit the MetaMask Website
Open your preferred web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Brave, or Edge).
Navigate to the official MetaMask website.
Click on the "Download" button.
Step 2: Add the Extension to Your Browser
Chrome: Click "Install MetaMask for Chrome" to be redirected to the Chrome Web Store.
Firefox: Click "Install MetaMask for Firefox" to go to the Firefox Add-ons site.
Brave: Click "Install MetaMask for Brave" to access the Chrome Web Store (Brave supports Chrome extensions).
Edge: Click "Install MetaMask for Edge" to be taken to the Edge Add-ons site.
Click the "Add to [Your Browser]" button.
Confirm the installation by clicking "Add extension" in the prompt that appears.
Step 3: Pin the Extension (Optional for Chrome)
After the extension is installed, click on the puzzle piece icon (extensions icon) in the upper-right corner of your browser.
Find MetaMask in the list and click the pin icon to pin it to the toolbar for easy access.
Step 1: Open MetaMask
Click the MetaMask icon in your browser toolbar to open the extension.
Step 2: Get Started
You will see a welcome screen. Click "Get Started".
Step 3: Create a New Wallet or Import an Existing One
Create a New Wallet:
Click "Create a Wallet".
MetaMask will ask for feedback to improve the service. Choose "I agree" or "No thanks" as per your preference.
Create a strong password for your wallet and click "Create".
MetaMask will generate a 12-word secret recovery phrase. Write this down and store it in a safe place. You will need this to recover your wallet if you forget your password or lose access to your device.
Confirm your secret recovery phrase by selecting the words in the correct order.
Click "All Done" to complete the setup.
Import Wallet:
Click "Import Wallet".
Enter your 12-word secret recovery phrase in the exact order.
Create a new password for this installation of MetaMask.
Agree to the terms and conditions, then click "Import".
Step 1: Access Your Wallet
After setup or import, you will be taken to your wallet dashboard. Here you can see your account balance, transaction history, and tokens.
Step 2: Managing Assets
Add Tokens: Click on "Add Token" to add custom tokens to your wallet.
Send/Receive: Use the "Send" button to transfer tokens to another address, and the "Receive" button to get your public address for receiving tokens.
Step 3: Connect to dApps
When you visit a dApp (like Uniswap or OpenSea), you will often see a "Connect to Wallet" button. Clicking this will prompt MetaMask to connect.
Permissions: Review and grant permissions to the dApp as needed.
Secret Recovery Phrase: Never share your secret recovery phrase with anyone. Store it securely offline.
Password: Use a strong, unique password for your MetaMask wallet.
Phishing Attacks: Be cautious of phishing attacks. Only enter your password and recovery phrase on the official MetaMask extension or website.
Regular Backups: Regularly back up your secret recovery phrase and any private keys.