HOW TO USE METAMASK

Learn how to install and setup a Metamask wallet on your desktop & mobile so you can starting trading Crypto and using Web 3 applications

Whether you’re looking to generate your first non-fungible token (NFT), loan assets on decentralized finance (DeFi) protocol, or buy and transfer Ethereum-based tokens, you’ll first need to download well-suited crypto-wallet software.

This will permit you to store any assets you develop or purchase and connect to any Ethereum-based network.

While several wallet services are available, MetaMask is the most popular, with over 21 million monthly active users, which has increased 38 times since 2020. MetaMask is a free online hot wallet that may be accessed via a smartphone application or a web browser extension.

Similar to an App or an ad blocker extension, you may download it directly to your phone or Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Brave, or Microsoft Edge browser. The term “hot” merely refers to the fact that it is constantly connected to the internet, allowing you to transfer your crypto assets at any time.

MetaMask developed the wallet, which allows transactions with other Ethereum-based addresses and allows you to operate Web 3 Applications without being part of the Ethereum network.

MetaMask’s interoperability with practically all Ethereum-based platforms is one of the main reasons for its popularity among new and existing crypto users. Users can connect to over 3,700 decentralized applications and Web3 services using MetaMask.

Before MetaMask, you had to hand over your private wallet security keys to interact with dApps. You can now quickly access NFT Art Marketplaces like OpenSea and DeFi apps like Uniswap with a minor invasion of your privacy.

Metamask can be used on both mobile phones and desktops; that’s why in this guide, we will demonstrate to you how to set up a MetaMask on both desktop and mobile devices securely and reliably.

How To Set Up A Metamask Wallet On The Desktop

1. Download Metamask by going to www.metamask.io. It would help if you used Google Chrome or Brave Browser for MetaMask, as these browsers generally has fewer issues than others. After opening your browser, type the metamask.io URL at the top or click this link to ensure you’re on the right platform.

After entering the URL, click the ‘download’ button and install MetaMask. Add the extension to your browser.

You will see it downloading at the bottom before being transferred to the MetaMask page.

2. Create a Wallet. When you’re at the Metamask page, click the ‘Get Started’ button, and it will ask if you are new to MetaMask. If you have an existing wallet with a seed phrase already and want to access it, click on ‘Import Wallet’. If you are setting up a brand new wallet, click ‘Create a wallet’.

3. Opt in/out of Metmask data monitoring. After clicking Create a wallet, MetaMask will ask for your information to improve its platform.

Click ‘I Agree’ if you are comfortable with MetaMask using your usage data to improve its application. Otherwise, click ‘No Thanks’.

4.  Create a password. It will then take you to password creation. For security reasons, you should create a unique password made from a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols.

Create your password, accept the Terms of Use, and press ‘Create’. You will use this password when opening MetaMask on your computer.

5.  Create your 12 word seed phrase & store it somewhere safe. Create your 12-word seed phrase, also known as the Secret Backup Phrase in MetaMask. If you ever uninstall MetaMask from your browser, you will need this to reinstate your account. You can also access your account on a new computer from anywhere with a seed phrase.

At the Secure your wallet screen press the ‘Next’ button. You will be presented with a set of 12 words; they are unique and only for you. Note them down somewhere safe. 

Save this first sentence on paper and store it somewhere entirely private. MetaMask recommends keeping it in a bank vault, a safe deposit box, and other secure locations. Tap ‘Next’ when you are done.

6. Confirm Secret Recovery Phrase. On the next page you will be prompted to validate your secret backup phrase in the correct order. This is to ensure that you’ve got them recorded down correctly. Once you are done, tap ‘Confirm’

7. Congratulations! Send some Crypto from an exchange to your new Metamask wallet to begin interacting with Web 3 applications. Now that you’ve created your MetaMask, all you have to do next is transfer Crypto tokens into your wallet. After filling your wallet, you can dive deep into the decentralized ecosystem, such as buying and selling NFT art or looking for big profits in decentralized finance.

In the future, if you want to open the MetaMask wallet in your browser, click on the fox in the upper right-hand corner. If you do not see the fox, click the puzzle piece to the right and it should be available.

MetaMask connects quickly to applications, so you should be diving into the decentralized world in no time.

Read on if you want to learn how to set up MetaMask on a mobile device and even sync your browser extension with the Metmask Mobile App

How To Set Up A Metamask On a Mobile Device

As the number of decentralized apps on mobile grows, learning how to set one up will provide you with access to dApps on the go. The guide to using the Metamask Mobile App will familiarize you with the App.

1.  Install the Metamask from your App store. Search for MetaMask on the Apple App store or Google Play store and install it to get started.

IMPORTANT: Avoid fake apps by selecting the one with the most downloads and made by the original developers ConsenSys, or you risk losing your money.

2. Create a Wallet. After clicking Install, MetaMask will welcome you. Press ‘Get Started’ to commence setting up your wallet. Then tap ‘Create a new wallet’

3. Opt in/out of Metmask data monitoring. After clicking Create a wallet, MetaMask will ask for your information to improve its platform.

Click ‘I Agree’ if you are comfortable with MetaMask using your usage data to improve its application. Otherwise, click ‘No Thanks’.

4.  Create a password. It will then take you to password creation. For security reasons, you should create a unique password made from a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols.

Create your password, accept the Terms of Use, and press ‘Create password’. You will use this password when opening MetaMask on your mobile phone.

I also encourage that you enable “Unlock with Face ID” if your phone supports it

5.  Create your 12 word seed phrase & store it somewhere safe. Create your 12-word seed phrase, also known as the Secret Backup Phrase in MetaMask. If you ever uninstall MetaMask from your phone, you will need this to reinstate your account. You can also access your account on a new computer from anywhere with a seed phrase.

At the Secure your wallet screen press the ‘Start’ button. You will be presented with a set of 12 words; they are unique and only for you. Note them down somewhere safe. 

Save this first sentence on paper and store it somewhere entirely private. MetaMask recommends keeping it in a bank vault, a safe deposit box, and other secure locations. Tap ‘Continue’ when you are done 

6. Confirm Secret Recovery Phrase. On the next page you will be prompted to validate your passphrase in the correct order. This is to ensure that you’ve got them recorded down correctly. Once you are done, tap ‘Complete Backup’.

7.  Congratulations! Send some Crypto from an exchange to your new Metamask wallet to begin interacting with Web 3 applications. After creating your wallet you will see a Congratulations screen. Tap ‘Done’, to take you to your new MetaMask wallet’s main page.  Now that you’ve created your MetaMask, all you have to do next is transfer Crypto tokens into your wallet. After filling your wallet, you can dive deep into the decentralized ecosystem online, such as buying and selling NFT art or looking for big profits in decentralized finance.

MetaMask connects easily & quickly to the world of Web 3 applications, so you should be diving into the decentralized world in no time.

How to Sync Metamask Across Devices

MetaMask allows you to sync your wallets across multiple devices. To sync your MetaMask mobile app to your MetaMask browser extension or add-on, follow these steps:

  1. Open your preferred browser and log in to MetaMask. 
  2. Tap on the MetaMask icon from the browser toolbar to open the interface, and click on your icon on the top right. 
  3. Select the “Settings” option, go to “Advanced,” and select “Sync with Mobile.” You should see a QR code.
  4. Open the MetaMask mobile application. 
  5. Select the “Sync or Import” option and click on “Scan QR code.” 
  6. Scan the QR code with your MetaMask mobile app.