Learn how to create, set up, and secure your MetaMask wallet to start your cryptocurrency journey safely
MetaMask is a popular cryptocurrency wallet that allows you to store, send, and receive Ethereum and other ERC-20 tokens. Unlike exchange-based wallets, MetaMask gives you full control over your private keys, meaning you truly own your crypto assets.
With over 30 million users worldwide, MetaMask serves as both a wallet and a gateway to the decentralized web, allowing you to interact with decentralized applications (dApps), play blockchain games, and participate in the growing world of Web3.
Creating a MetaMask account is completely free and only takes a few minutes. Follow these steps carefully:
Visit the official MetaMask website or your device's app store to download MetaMask. It's available as:
For this guide, we'll focus on the browser extension, though the process is similar for mobile.
After downloading, install the extension. You'll see the MetaMask fox icon in your browser toolbar. Click on it to launch the application.
Click "Get Started" and then select "Create a Wallet." You'll be asked if you want to share anonymous usage data to help improve MetaMask - this is optional.
Create a strong, unique password for your MetaMask login. This password encrypts your wallet on your device but does NOT protect your funds on the blockchain.
This is the most critical step in setting up your wallet. MetaMask will generate a 12-word secret recovery phrase (also called a seed phrase).
After writing it down, you'll be asked to confirm the phrase by selecting the words in the correct order.
Once you've confirmed your recovery phrase, your wallet is ready to use. You'll see your account dashboard with your Ethereum address (starting with 0x...).
After initial setup, logging into MetaMask is straightforward but requires understanding some security basics:
Click the MetaMask fox icon in your browser toolbar. Enter your password to unlock the wallet. This password only unlocks the wallet on your specific device and browser.
Open the MetaMask app and enter your password or use biometric authentication if you've enabled it.
Your password can be reset using your secret recovery phrase. The password only encrypts your wallet locally, but your recovery phrase is what actually controls your blockchain assets.
Protecting your cryptocurrency should be your top priority. Here are essential security measures to implement:
In Settings > Security & Privacy, set MetaMask to automatically lock after a short period of inactivity. This prevents unauthorized access if you step away from your computer.
For significant amounts of cryptocurrency, consider connecting a hardware wallet like Ledger or Trezor to your MetaMask. This keeps your private keys completely offline while still allowing you to use MetaMask's interface.
Only interact with legitimate websites and dApps. Fake versions of popular sites are designed to steal your recovery phrase or trick you into approving malicious transactions.
Keep your MetaMask extension or app updated to the latest version to ensure you have the latest security patches.
Consider creating separate wallets for different activities (one for holding savings, one for interacting with dApps, etc.) to limit exposure if one wallet is compromised.
No, MetaMask is a self-custody wallet, not an exchange. With MetaMask, you control your private keys and are solely responsible for your security. Exchanges like Coinbase or Binance hold your keys for you (custodial wallets).
Yes, but only if you have your secret recovery phrase. Your password only protects the wallet on your specific device. Your recovery phrase is what actually controls your blockchain assets and can be used to restore your wallet on any device.
No, MetaMask itself doesn't require any identity verification (KYC) since it's a non-custodial wallet. However, if you use MetaMask to connect to services that require KYC (like some decentralized exchanges or platforms), you may need to verify your identity with those specific services.
Yes, MetaMask offers mobile apps for both iOS and Android devices. The mobile app provides the same core functionality as the browser extension and can be downloaded from the official app stores.
Beyond safeguarding your recovery phrase, you can connect a hardware wallet for enhanced security, enable automatic timeouts, avoid phishing sites, and consider using multiple wallets for different purposes to limit risk exposure.
Yes, you can import your wallet to multiple devices using your secret recovery phrase. However, be cautious about where you install MetaMask and always ensure you're using the official application from trusted sources.
For your security, always use official MetaMask resources: