For me and I believe for many other crypto enthusiasts, words like Metamask, Pancakeswap, Uniswap, and DeFi are familiar, and used frequently. But for newcomers in the DeFi space, even the Metamask wallet can cause some serious dilemmas on what it is, how to use it, and most importantly, how to set it up. I didn’t understand this until I tried to explain to some of my friends about different decentralized blockchain applications and how to access them. Therefore, regarding the rise of the DeFi world, I am beginning some understanding articles focusing on different decentralized wallets which operate on multiple blockchains, and I will begin with the most used of them all, the Metamask wallet. Therefore, keep on reading my blog post to find out what is Metamask, how to install the Metamask browser extension on Chrome and other browsers, how to sync your Metamask extension with the mobile app, and much more.
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What is Metamask?
The most important aspect to me is that Metamask is a gateway for us to access different blockchain based applications in the easiest way possible so far. So, if we want to access a decentralized application – Dapp, Metaverse app, or any other blockchain application which has integrated the sign-in with the Metamask wallet, we simply have to connect our Metamask extension or the Metamask mobile app with that application, and after that we can simply use the services offered. For example, Ethereum blockchain based applications like Uniswap, FirstInch, OpenSea Marketplace, Rarible, Aave, Compound, and many others. But as you will find out later on this article, with Metamask, we can access a variety of blockchain applications on many other smart contracts enabled blockchains.
I think that everybody heard the expression “Not your keys, not your crypto”. Therefore, Metamask is also a non-custodial crypto wallet, which means that our private keys are in our control the whole time. Considering this, I think it’s appropriate to say “our keys, our crypto”, but be very careful with your private keys, and where you store them, because you can lose access to your funds deposited on Metamask, if something happens with your device.
Metamask has been primarily built for the Ethereum blockchain to support the ERC-20 token assets and the Ethereum based collectibles, such as ERC-721 tokens. But, with all the new emerging smart contracts enabled blockchains, Metamask supports many other blockchains like Binance Smart Chain, Fantom, Polygon, Solana, Kucoin Community Chain, and many others, and with just some simple settings to be handled. But more about these settings and how to add other blockchains to Metamask, in some later learning crypto posts.
How to install the Metamask extension for Chrome and other browsers?
Metamask is the most downloaded crypto wallet extension and gateway, and it is available for Chrome, Firefox, Brave, and Microsoft Edge browsers. I mostly use it on Chrome, Brave and Firefox, and until now I never installed the extension on the Edge browser. Therefore, in the following paragraphs I will present a simple step-by-step guide on how to install the Metamask extension for every browser, and also for the first time to see how it works on Microsoft Edge.
Firstly, be very aware of phishing sites, because the scammers are always at work and trying to snatch our crypto assets, especially that Metamask is a hot wallet, being always connected to the internet. Therefore, make sure that when you install the Metamask extension, you visit the official website at https://metamask.io, and also make sure to safely store your private keys in an offline environment.
Once you are on the official website, just follow these steps to install the Metamask extesion:
- On the official Metamask website, you will see the Download Now button. Click on this to proceed to the next step;
- As you will notice, Metamask automatically recognizes your browser. Therefore, just click on Install MetaMask for Chrome, Brave, Firefox, or Edge. Take note that Brave might be recognized as Chrome, but only because it is a Chromium based browser, and once you enter the web store, Brave will be identified by the Metamask extension;
- Next, you will be redirected to your browser store to install the Metamask extension. In the case of the Edge and Firefox browsers, Metamask is found in the Add-on store, which is basically the same thing as the Chrome web store, but with a different name. Also, Brave being a Chromium based browser, the Metamask extension will be installed from the Chrome web store, just like in the situation of Chrome browser;
- Once you access the browser’s store, and depending on everyone’s used browser, just click on the “Add to Chrome”, “Add to Brave“, “Add to Firefox”, or simply the “Get” button for the Edge browser;
- Once you click on these, a pop-up message will appear with some disclaimers. If you agree with these, click on add extension, and so Metamask extension will be added to your browser.
How to set up the Metamask extension?
When the extension completes the installation process, a new window will be opened to start setting up your Metamask account. Here you can easily import a previously created wallet, and it is just needed to paste your previously created Secret Recovery Phrase. Or if you are new to Metamask, simply generate a new wallet.
Now, if you import an old wallet, the job is done, and just continue to keep the secret recovery phrase as safe as possible. But if you are a new user, follow the steps below to set up your Metamask wallet:
- Click on Create a new wallet, which will also generate a new Secret Recovery Phrase;
- In the next screen, you will need to choose if you want to allow Metamask to gather usage data. I don’t like this, so I will choose No thanks to proceed to the next step;
- Here you will need to specify a password for your Metamask wallet. Confirm that you checked and agreed with the terms of use, and click on the Create button;
- Next, you will have a short video introduction about the Secret Recovery Phrase. You can click on next without watching, or continue to watch the video because there are interesting facts presented;
- The next screen is the most important part, where you will obtain your Metamask wallet Secret Recovery Phrase. There are 12 randomly selected words, and you need to keep them safe, because anyone who discovers this phrase will have access to your Metamask wallet, and to your crypto assets. You can write the phrase down on a piece of paper, and also copy and paste it in a document, and keep it secure on an offline storage device. There is also an option to skip this step of backing up your phrase, and in this situation, you can find later in the security settings;
- If you didn’t skip the backup step, the next one is to confirm your Secret Recovery Phrase. Therefore, select the 12 random words in the right order, and the setup is done. Now you can enjoy your Matamask wallet, which runs on the Ethereum blockchain.
Once installed and set up, the Metamask extension can be found in the upper right corner of your browser. More specifically, clicking the extensions button, and for easy future access, you can pin it to the browser’s toolbar.
How to access different blockchain apps with Metamask?
Let’s take for a quick example the most used decentralized exchange, which works on the Ethereum blockchain, Uniswap V3. Now, for the first time, I use the Edge Metamask extension, and the connection works fine. Therefore, here are some easy steps on how to connect your Metamask wallet with the Uniswap Dex:
- Go to the Uniswap official exchange. Be very cautious with phishing sites and always pay attention to what domain you access;
- In the upper right corner, you will see a Connect Wallet button. Also, near this button you can see the network on which Uniswap works, and from there you can change the blockchain, because Uniswap Dex is operating on multiple blockchains. But more about this with future blog posts and YouTube videos. Therefore, make sure to subscribe to my blog and my other channels;
- Click on the Connect Wallet button, and a pop up will appear to select a wallet to connect it;
- In this case, choose the Metamask wallet, and immediately the Metamask extension will open and prompt you to select an account to access the Uniswap services;
- If you have just one account set up on your Metamask wallet, it will be selected automatically, and just press on the Next button. If you have multiple accounts, select the account with which you want to access the Uniswap Dex;
- Next is a connection window of the Metamask extension, in which you give permission to Uniswap to see different details about your account. In this case, your wallet address, which is required for everyone to access the Uniswap services;
- Click on Connect, and it is done. The connection with the blockchain app is established.
The connection is done, and it works the same for other blockchain based applications. But to use the Uniswap features, more specifically to swap tokens, add liquidity, and so further, as well for the services provided by other applications on the Ethereum network, you will need Ethereum cryptocurrency for the gas fees. An aspect which will take us to the next point.
How to fund your Metamask wallet with Ethereum?
Note that for every transaction made with the Metamask wallet on the Ethereum blockchain, you will need Ethereum cryptocurrency to pay for the gas fees, and these are pretty high for quite some period. I hope that the fees will be lowered with the upgrades which will come for the Ethereum blockchain, because they are unreasonable. So, to send Ethereum or any Ethereum blockchain based tokens into your Metamask wallet is a very simple job.
If you have Ethereum just sitting there in some crypto wallets or on some cryptocurrency exchanges, you just need to copy your Metamask wallet address, known as your public key, and from the location where you hold Ethereum, just send your funds to that wallet address. To copy your Metamask wallet address, just click on your account from the Metamask extension.
If you don’t have Ethereum, Metamask also offers a buying option with debit cards or bank transfers. I used the debit card buying option a couple of times when I was in a hurry to buy fast, and it works smoothly. Also, the Ethereum assets are arriving fast into your account. But, to buy Ethereum and other big cryptocurrencies, I mostly use the Binance exchange, Kucoin exchange, Crypto.com app and exchange, from where I usually send funds to my Metamask wallet, and other wallets that I use.
Moreover, Metamask has an integrated Swap token feature which can be used directly in your wallet, and it also supports connections with hardware wallets. Therefore, if you hold Ethereum or other ERC-20 tokens on hardware wallets like Trezor, Ledger, or Lattice1, you can easily manage your funds with Metamask, directly from one of these three hardware wallets.
How to sync your extension with the mobile app?
Metamask is also available as a mobile app, running on both Android and iOS operating systems. This is a great advantage for taking your decentralized finances with you everywhere you go, and also to access different blockchain based applications directly from your mobile phone.
Firstly, you need to install the Metamask mobile app, which can be found in the Google Play Store or App store, fitting your mobile device operating system. But, at the moment of writing this article, the sync option is temporarily disabled, and for the future use of this function, you can find it in Settings – Advanced, and Sync with mobile. You just need to click on this and follow the easy instructions.
To use your Metamask extension account now on your mobile phone, you can import your wallet using the Secret Recovery Phrase. Open the installed Metamask mobile app, and choose to import wallet. Afterwords, enter your Secret Recovery Phrase, and so your Metamask account will be imported and ready to use on the mobile device.
Conclusion
I use the Metamask extension and mobile wallet daily, and sometimes even hourly, to check out my crypto assets, to buy and sell different tokens on multiple blockchains, or to manage some of my Unstoppable Domains NFTs. For me, it works excellently on multiple devices and browsers. Only at one moment, the Metamask extension installed on a Chrome browser landed into some conflict with another installed extension and stopped working properly, not being able to connect it with any blockchain based application. Because I needed all the extensions on that device and Chrome, I simply imported the wallet to my Firefox browser, and even on some of my other devices. Now it works perfectly.
For me, Metamask is one of the best crypto wallets and blockchain gateways to use daily. It is the most used worldwide web 3.0 extension wallet, and approximately all the blockchain applications are supporting the sign-in with Metamask.
Also, it is a pretty secure wallet, but remember to remain cautious regarding the phishing sites, and to keep your private keys as safe as possible.
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Thank you for reading my learning article about the Metamask wallet, and how to install the Metamask extension. I hope this is helpful to you. Feel free to share and subscribe to my little blog. Also, visit and follow me on my other channels, Youtube, LBRY and Odysee, Pinterest, Facebook, Publish0x, Instagram, Twitter.
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Disclaimer:
This crypto learning article containing my review about the Metamask wallet and how to install the Metamask extension is intended for informational purposes only. Therefore, the views expressed in this document are not, and should not, be construed as investment advice or recommendations. Readers of this document should do their own research, taking into account their specific financial circumstances. Also, the investment objectives and risk tolerance before investing. This document is not an offer, nor the solicitation of an offer, to invest, buy or sell any of the assets mentioned herein.
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