MetaMask is a popular self-custodial cryptocurrency wallet used to interact with the Ethereum blockchain. As a self-custodial wallet, MetaMask empowers individuals to take full control of their digital assetsAsset An economic resource with value that an individual or organization owns, controls, or expects future benefits from. Examples of assets: gold, stocks, cryptocurrencies, etc., enabling seamless interaction with decentralized applications (DApps) and smart contracts.
How to Install MetaMask
As a browser extension, MetaMask supports Chrome, Firefox, Brave, Edge and Opera. As an app, MetaMask supports Android and iOS. To install MetaMask follow these steps:
Go to the metamask.io site (always be super careful when dealing with crypto that you are on a legitimate site):
Click on the Download button. The MetaMask site will automatically identify the browser you are using (e.g.: Firefox) and will redirect to the corresponding official browser store. In some cases, clicking the Download button will download the MetaMask browser extension and a warning pop-up will be shown:
Click on “Continue to Installation“. Another warning pop-up will be shown:
Click on “Add“.
Sometimes the MetaMask extension will not appear in your browser. In this case you will have to change some settings of the MetaMask extension. For example, assuming you use the Firefox browser, you may need to enable MetaMask to run in the browser’s private tabs. Let’s see how to do it. Go to Tools and then Add-ons and Themes:
Then click on the MetaMask extension:
Then select Allow in the Run in Private Windows setting:
Now close Firefox and then open it again and click the extensions button:
A warning pop-up will be shown. Click on the MetaMask extension, as shown in the figure below:
At this point the problem should be solved and the following screen should appear:
Place a check mark in the I agree to MetaMask’s Terms of use box and finally click on Create a new wallet:
In case you don’t want to use MetaMask as a browser extension, you can always install MetaMask as a mobile app on your smartphone. Always start the app installation process, only and exclusively from the Android or Apple official store. Never use applications installed using external installation files, perhaps sent via chat on Messenger, Telegram, WhatsApp. This is because by downloading the extension from other sources, you risk running into malicious software that steals your funds.
Setting Up Your Wallet
Once the MetaMask extension is installed on your browser, clicking on the Create a new wallet button will redirect you to the MetaMask wallet configuration page. Here you will have to create a password for your MetaMask wallet and you will have to agree to MetaMask’s data usage policy placing a check mark in the I understand that MetaMask cannot recover this password for me box:
At this point you will have to click on the Secure my wallet tab. Before getting started, you will be able to watch a short video to learn about your Secret Recovery Phrase and how to keep your wallet safe:
Finally, you will have to click on Secure my wallet button. On the next page, you will find the 12-word secret recovery phrase:
Click on Reveal secret recovery phrase. Now you must save the 12-word secret recovery phrase in a password manager on your device or write it down in a personal notebook. In the next step, you will have to confirm the 12-word secret recovery phrase.
Finally, click on Done. Congratulations, your MetaMask wallet is now ready to use.
IMPORTANT: the password protects the use of the wallet only and exclusively at the device level. Basically, whoever has access to the device you are using will have to enter this password to be able to operate with the wallet. If, however, a person is in possession of the secret phrase or private key, he will be able to import the wallet into another device and operate as he wishes.
Using the same MetaMask wallet on multiple devices
Note that if you install MetaMas as a browser extension and as an app on your smartphone, these are separate instances of MetaMask, or in other words, they are different wallets. So if you have cryptocurrencies in your smartphone you will not be able to see them in your browser extension and vice versa, if you have cryptocurrencies in your browser extension, you will not be able to see them in your smartphone. If you want to use the same wallet in your browser extension and your smartphone, you will need to use the same wallet.
How can you use the same wallet in the MetaMask mobile app (on your smartphone) and as an extension in your browser? Simply install MetaMask and the import your existing wallet using your Secret Recovery Phrase. Importing an existing wallet into a new installation of the MetaMask extension and/or app is one of the only times you’ll ever need to input your Secret Recovery Phrase. If any application or extension unexpectedly asks you for your Secret Recovery Phrase, make sure you’re in the right place.
Though your Secret Recovery Phrase will give you access from any device, you’ll need to set up a password again, and re-add any networksNetwork The set of computers connected to each other, called nodes, on which the blockchain of a specific cryptocurrency is based. or tokens that you need. This is because this data is saved locally in each instance of MetaMask.
How to enable automatic security checks (Mobile)
MetaMask updates can include security improvements, so using MetaMask on a browser with an auto-updating store ensures the latest updates and fixes. Sometimes, updates are marked as recommended for security reasons. On MetaMask’s mobile app, you can choose to have the app automatically let you know when there is an essential update available. To enable automatic security checks, head to Settings > ‘Security & Privacy’ and scroll to the bottom. You’ll see the Automatic security checks there. Why isn’t this enabled by defaultDefault The inability to repay debts that causes bankruptcy.? Because automatic security checks, once turned on, will expose your IP address to GitHub servers (unless you use a VPN or similar. This only indicates that your IP address is using MetaMask. No other information or account addresses are exposed. If you use a tool that masks your IP address, such as a VPN, your IP address won’t be exposed when you have automatic security checks turned on. If you’re not comfortable with your IP address being used in this way, you can leave automatic security checks turned off, or use a VPN.