{"id":228,"date":"2022-02-08T09:49:00","date_gmt":"2022-02-08T15:49:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/flolio.com\/resources\/?p=228"},"modified":"2022-08-17T03:04:14","modified_gmt":"2022-08-17T08:04:14","slug":"how-to-setup-metamask","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/flolio.com\/resources\/how-to-setup-metamask","title":{"rendered":"How to setup MetaMask"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The advent of the cryptocurrency era that began in the early years of the last decade also increased the demand for digital wallets that could store tokens. As of February 2021, the research firm Cryptowisser estimated that there were 82 cryptocurrency wallets available &#8211; and this number has only grown. Despite the abundance of wallets, one name has always stood out above the others &#8211; MetaMask.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69e9d4bf51a57\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69e9d4bf51a57\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/flolio.com\/resources\/how-to-setup-metamask\/#What_is_MetaMask\" >What is MetaMask?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/flolio.com\/resources\/how-to-setup-metamask\/#What_Makes_MetaMask_so_Unique\" >What Makes MetaMask so Unique?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/flolio.com\/resources\/how-to-setup-metamask\/#Do_You_Need_Cryptocurrency_to_Use_MetaMask\" >Do You Need Cryptocurrency to Use MetaMask?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/flolio.com\/resources\/how-to-setup-metamask\/#Downloading_the_Browser_Extension\" >Downloading the Browser Extension<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/flolio.com\/resources\/how-to-setup-metamask\/#Note_Changing_Your_Website_Data\" >Note: Changing Your Website Data<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/flolio.com\/resources\/how-to-setup-metamask\/#Creating_Your_Account\" >Creating Your Account<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/flolio.com\/resources\/how-to-setup-metamask\/#Saving_Your_Secret_Phrase\" >Saving Your Secret Phrase<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/flolio.com\/resources\/how-to-setup-metamask\/#Importing_a_Wallet\" >Importing a Wallet<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/flolio.com\/resources\/how-to-setup-metamask\/#Setting_Up_MetaMask_on_Mobile\" >Setting Up MetaMask on Mobile<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/flolio.com\/resources\/how-to-setup-metamask\/#Adding_Funds\" >Adding Funds<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/flolio.com\/resources\/how-to-setup-metamask\/#Identifying_Your_Address\" >Identifying Your Address<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/flolio.com\/resources\/how-to-setup-metamask\/#Transferring_Tokens_to_MetaMask_Wallet\" >Transferring Tokens to MetaMask Wallet<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/flolio.com\/resources\/how-to-setup-metamask\/#Buying_NFTs\" >Buying NFTs<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_MetaMask\"><\/span>What is MetaMask?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Created in 2017 by blockchain software company ConsenSys, MetaMask has since become one of the most popular cryptocurrency wallets available, surpassing 10 million users in August. In essence, MetaMask is a web browser extension and mobile app that allows users to interact with the Ethereum blockchain. This allows those with a MetaMask account to store Ether and other tokens, as well as interact with decentralized applications, also known as <a href=\"https:\/\/flolio.com\/resources\/what-is-dapp-development\">Ethereum dApps<\/a>. <\/em>Keep in mind that <a href=\"https:\/\/flolio.com\/resources\/bitcoin-vs-ethereum\">Bitcoin cannot be stored on MetaMask because it is not compatible with the Ethereum<\/a> blockchain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Makes_MetaMask_so_Unique\"><\/span>What Makes MetaMask so Unique?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Simply put, MetaMask is special because it lets users conduct transactions with other Ethereum-based addresses and operate dApps without having to be a part of the Ethereum network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before MetaMask was created, those who wanted to engage with dApps had to give out their security keys from private wallets. Now users can quickly access&nbsp;NFT Marketplaces&nbsp;like Foundation while retaining their privacy and personal information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This privacy remains a key feature of MetaMask. The site claims to keep no information on its members and does not store the email address, password, Secret Phrase, or private keys of those with accounts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_You_Need_Cryptocurrency_to_Use_MetaMask\"><\/span>Do You Need Cryptocurrency to Use MetaMask?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Early entrants into the world of <a href=\"https:\/\/flolio.com\/resources\/alternative-cryptocurrencies\">cryptocurrency who do not own any coins<\/a> should not fear. One of the appealing aspects of MetaMask is that owning cryptocurrency is not required to create a wallet. Additionally, those who own existing tokens on other wallets can always import them after they set up their account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Downloading_the_Browser_Extension\"><\/span>Downloading the Browser Extension<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Although MetaMask is available to install on both a computer and mobile device, it&#8217;s a better idea to start with your Mac or PC considering that certain interface features may not translate well to mobile viewing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To download the MetaMask browser extension on a computer, first, start at the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/metamask.io\/\" target=\"_blank\">MetaMask site<\/a>. Once you&#8217;re here, click the blue Download button, and then select which browser you want to link with the site. While most members tend to use MetaMask with Google Chrome, the wallet can also be used with Firefox, Brave, or Microsoft Edge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you choose to download the <a href=\"https:\/\/flolio.com\/resources\/metamask-chrome\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"195\">MetaMask extension for a Chrome browser<\/a>, you simply need to click on the Chrome icon that appears on the screen under &#8220;List of Supported Browsers.&#8221; From there, you will be directed to the Chrome web store. After arriving at the Chrome store, click the &#8220;Add to Chrome&#8221; button. As the last step, click the &#8220;Add extension&#8221; button that appears on the popup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You&#8217;ll know that MetaMask is installed when you see the extension icon located in the top right-hand corner of your browser.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Note_Changing_Your_Website_Data\"><\/span>Note: Changing Your Website Data<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Those who choose to install MetaMask on their browser often receive a popup that asks them to approve an extension to &#8220;read and change all your data on the websites you visit.&#8221; While this may sound alarming, it&#8217;s actually part of the way that MetaMask enables apps to access the blockchain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This approval will not actually change the website, but simply allow it to access the network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, those who download the MetaMask extension for Firefox should be aware that the Firefox plugin popup reveals it is published by &#8220;danfinaly, kumavis.&#8221; While these names may sound nefarious, they are actually some of the people who helped create the platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Creating_Your_Account\"><\/span>Creating Your Account<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you have clicked the &#8220;Add extension&#8221; button, you can begin to create an account. The first step is to open MetaMask by clicking on the fox logo located on your browser. Clicking on the icon will open MetaMask and bring you to a selection screen that asks you to choose between importing a wallet, or creating a new wallet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Those who are new to MetaMask and do not have an existing wallet with another site should choose the second option and click Create a Wallet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After this step, MetaMask will ask you if you want to opt-in to the site&#8217;s usage data gathering agreement. Keep in mind that this is purely optional, and though agreeing to this message will allow MetaMask to improve their site from your data, you are not required to provide them with this information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The next step in the process to create a new account involves choosing a password. This password is not your private recovery key and will be used to log in to both the MetaMask mobile app and the desktop version. It should be stored in a safe place as with any other password.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Saving_Your_Secret_Phrase\"><\/span>Saving Your Secret Phrase<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The next step is arguably the most important as it involves the lynchpin of your MetaMask account&#8217;s security. Following the choosing of your password, MetaMask will generate a random string of words and ask that you confirm this phrase by entering it back into the app. This is known as your Secret Backup Phrase, your Secret Recovery Phrase, your Seed Phrase, or your private key.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Saving your Seed Phrase safely is so important because anyone with this phrase can take all the assets in your account. The seed phrase is also used in restoring your account if MetaMask ever happens to be deleted from your browser.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>MetaMask recommends saving your private key by memorizing it, writing it down on multiple pieces of paper, and keeping it stored in multiple secret places.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Importing_a_Wallet\"><\/span>Importing a Wallet<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Importing a wallet onto MetaMask is relatively simple, and involves clicking the &#8220;Import Wallet&#8221; option as opposed to the &#8220;Create a wallet&#8221; choice in the previous section. To start the import, you will either need your seed phrase, or a JSON file (a snapshot of your existing wallet info).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Setting_Up_MetaMask_on_Mobile\"><\/span>Setting Up MetaMask on Mobile<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The good news for those who want to install MetaMask on their phone is that the process of setting up your wallet is nearly identical to the desktop method. Instead of downloading a browser extension, you should navigate to either the&nbsp;App Store (Apple)&nbsp;or the&nbsp;Google Play Store (Android)&nbsp;and download the MetaMask mobile app.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To sync your mobile wallet with your desktop wallet, you will have to input your Seed Phrase when prompted. After this, your desktop extension will be connected to your phone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Adding_Funds\"><\/span>Adding Funds<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you&#8217;ve successfully set up your wallet on your phone or computer (or both), you can begin to add tokens to your account. Adding cryptocurrencies into your MetaMask wallet will allow you to invest, play games, trade, and buy unique digital items such as NFTs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Anyone can buy Ethereum directly in MetaMask with a debit card or with Apple Pay by clicking &#8220;Add Funds.&#8221; You can also request tokens from a friend by showing them your QR code in person, or by sharing your MetaMask wallet address.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Identifying_Your_Address\"><\/span>Identifying Your Address<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Your unique public address is located on the account home page just above your balance amount. Both the mobile and desktop versions have a button right next to the code that can be used to copy the address onto your clipboard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you plan on receiving ETH or Ethereum-based tokens from another wallet, you\u2019ll need to input your unique Ethereum address into the transaction details on the sender\u2019s wallet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Transferring_Tokens_to_MetaMask_Wallet\"><\/span>Transferring Tokens to MetaMask Wallet<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Keep in mind that it&#8217;s also possible to send your own tokens to yourself from a wallet that you own. Many people who have coins on another Ethereum wallet, like Coinbase, simply use their public address to connect and send tokens to their MetaMask wallet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want to try this, go to the Coinbase app, select the Portfolio section, find Ethereum, and select &#8220;ETH Wallet.&#8221; Then use the send icon in the top right to input your MetaMask address.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Buying_NFTs\"><\/span>Buying NFTs<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The fun part begins once you&#8217;ve finished exploring your settings and adding tokens to your wallet. Now you can connect to one of the many <a href=\"https:\/\/flolio.com\/resources\/best-nft-marketplace\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"285\">NFT marketplaces<\/a> and buy, sell, and trade non-fungible tokens!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you\u2019ve collected some NFTs, they will live inside your wallet and can be found via your marketplace accounts (OpenSea, Rarible, etc.), or under the NFT tab on the MetaMask mobile app.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Enjoy browsing the various marketplaces, and always remember to keep an eye out for fraud or fake sites posing as major exchanges.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn how to setup MetaMask, the browser extension that allows you to run Ethereum dApps right in your browser.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":230,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"How to Setup MetaMask - Guide | FLOLiO","_seopress_titles_desc":"Learn how to setup MetaMask, the browser extension that allows you to run Ethereum dApps right in your browser.","_seopress_robots_index":"","_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-228","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-learn"},"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":4,"label":"Learn"}]},"featured_image_src_large":["https:\/\/flolio.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/How-to-setup-MetaMask-1024x683.png",770,514,true],"author_info":{"display_name":"FLOLiO","author_link":"https:\/\/flolio.com\/resources\/author\/flolio"},"comment_info":15,"category_info":[{"term_id":4,"name":"Learn","slug":"learn","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":4,"taxonomy":"category","description":"Discover the latest articles about Learn published on FLOLiO","parent":0,"count":178,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":4,"category_count":178,"category_description":"Discover the latest articles about Learn published on FLOLiO","cat_name":"Learn","category_nicename":"learn","category_parent":0}],"tag_info":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/flolio.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/228","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/flolio.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/flolio.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flolio.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flolio.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=228"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/flolio.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/228\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flolio.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/230"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/flolio.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=228"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flolio.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=228"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flolio.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=228"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}