Get started with MetaMask in four simple steps — from installation to exploring Web3 decentralized applications.
Follow these four steps to set up your MetaMask wallet and begin your Web3 journey.
Download the MetaMask browser extension from your browser's extension store. MetaMask is available for Chrome, Firefox, Brave, and Microsoft Edge. For mobile, download the MetaMask app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Installation takes less than a minute and requires no account creation on external platforms.
Open MetaMask and choose "Create a New Wallet." Set a strong, unique password that you'll use to unlock MetaMask on your device. You'll then receive a 12-word Secret Recovery Phrase — write it down on paper and store it in a secure, offline location. This phrase is the master key to your wallet. Never share it, screenshot it, or store it digitally.
Add cryptocurrency to your wallet by purchasing directly through MetaMask using a debit card, Apple Pay, or bank transfer via integrated fiat on-ramps. Alternatively, send crypto from an exchange: copy your MetaMask wallet address, go to your exchange (Coinbase, Binance, Kraken), and withdraw to that address. Always verify the address and network before sending.
Connect MetaMask to decentralized applications by visiting any dApp and clicking "Connect Wallet." Swap tokens using MetaMask's built-in DEX aggregator, mint and manage NFTs, provide liquidity on DeFi protocols like Uniswap and Aave, and explore the growing ecosystem of Web3 games, social platforms, and DAOs — all secured by your MetaMask wallet.
Keep your MetaMask wallet and crypto assets safe by following these essential security guidelines.
Your 12-word Secret Recovery Phrase is the master key to all your accounts. MetaMask will never ask for it. No legitimate support agent, dApp, or service will ever request it. Anyone who has your seed phrase can drain your entire wallet. Write it on paper and store it in a safe place offline.
Phishing sites impersonate popular dApps to steal your crypto. Always verify the URL in your browser address bar before connecting MetaMask. Bookmark frequently used dApps. Be especially cautious of links shared on social media, Discord, and email — these are common phishing vectors.
For maximum security, pair MetaMask with a Ledger or Trezor hardware wallet. Your private keys stay on the hardware device and never touch your computer. You can still use MetaMask's full interface for swaps, dApps, and portfolio management while signing transactions on the hardware device.
Turn on Smart Transactions in MetaMask settings to submit transactions through a private mempool. This protects against MEV front-running attacks, reduces failed transactions, and can lower gas costs. Smart Transactions are especially important when swapping large amounts of tokens.
How does getting started with MetaMask compare to other popular crypto wallets?
Both MetaMask and Phantom Wallet follow a similar setup flow: install the browser extension, create a password, and back up a recovery phrase. The key difference is ecosystem focus. MetaMask connects you to Ethereum and all EVM-compatible chains by default, with access to over 17,000 dApps. Phantom Wallet is optimized for Solana first, with Ethereum and Polygon added later. If your primary interest is the Ethereum DeFi ecosystem, MetaMask provides immediate, native access without additional configuration.
Trust Wallet is primarily a mobile wallet, so its setup centers on a smartphone app — there is a browser extension, but the mobile experience is the focus. MetaMask offers equally strong browser extension and mobile experiences. Trust Wallet supports 65+ chains out of the box, while MetaMask starts with Ethereum and lets you add networks as needed. For desktop-heavy DeFi users and developers, MetaMask's browser extension provides a more integrated workflow.
Coinbase Wallet offers the convenience of linking to an existing Coinbase exchange account for easy fund transfers. MetaMask is completely independent — no exchange account required. While Coinbase Wallet simplifies buying crypto for Coinbase users, MetaMask's integrated fiat on-ramps and broader dApp compatibility make it the more versatile choice. MetaMask's Snaps extensibility and hardware wallet support further differentiate it for advanced users.
Quick answers to frequently asked "how to" questions about MetaMask.
Open MetaMask, click the network selector at the top, and select "Add Network." Enter the network name, RPC URL, chain ID, currency symbol, and block explorer URL. Popular networks like Polygon, Arbitrum, and Optimism can be added with a single click from the network list. You can also use Chainlist to auto-fill network details.
In MetaMask, click your account icon and select "Add Account or Hardware Wallet," then choose "Add Hardware Wallet." Connect your Ledger or Trezor device via USB, select the accounts you want to import, and confirm. Your hardware wallet accounts will appear alongside your regular accounts in MetaMask, with all transactions requiring physical confirmation on your device.
If you lose access to MetaMask, reinstall the extension or app and select "Import an Existing Wallet." Enter your 12-word Secret Recovery Phrase to restore all accounts associated with that phrase. Set a new password for the device. Your assets, transaction history, and connected networks will be restored automatically.
Open MetaMask and click the "Swap" button on the main screen. Select the token you want to swap from and the token you want to receive. Enter the amount, and MetaMask will aggregate quotes from multiple decentralized exchanges to find the best rate. Review the quote, gas estimate, and MetaMask's 0.875% service fee, then confirm the swap.
Now that you know how MetaMask works, discover the full range of features that make it the most powerful Web3 wallet — from token swaps and Snaps to NFT management and Smart Transactions.