Last Updated: November 21, 2025
MetaMask
Crypto wallet and gateway to blockchain apps
Web3
Crypto
Installation & Setup
Browser Extension
Install from metamask.io (Chrome, Firefox, Brave, Edge)
Mobile App
Download from App Store (iOS) or Play Store (Android)
Create New Wallet
Click "Create a Wallet" on first launch
Secret Recovery Phrase
12-word phrase; write on paper, NEVER share or store digitally
Import Existing Wallet
"Import wallet" > Enter 12/24-word recovery phrase
Set Password
Password unlocks wallet on device (different from recovery phrase)
Backup Recovery Phrase
Settings > Security & Privacy > Reveal Secret Recovery Phrase
Wallet Management
Create Additional Account
Click account icon > Create Account (same wallet, different address)
Import Account
Account menu > Import Account (with private key)
View Private Key
Account menu > Account details > Export Private Key
Rename Account
Account details > Edit name (click pencil icon)
Copy Address
Click account name in top bar to copy address
QR Code
Account details > Show QR code (for receiving)
Connected Sites
Settings > Connected Sites; manage dApp permissions
Network Management
Switch Network
Click network dropdown at top (Ethereum Mainnet by default)
Ethereum Mainnet
Main Ethereum network (real ETH, gas costs real money)
Testnets
Goerli, Sepolia (free test ETH from faucets)
Show Test Networks
Settings > Advanced > Show test networks (toggle on)
Add Custom Network
Network dropdown > Add Network > Add network manually
Polygon (MATIC)
RPC: https://polygon-rpc.com, Chain ID: 137
Binance Smart Chain
RPC: https://bsc-dataseed.binance.org, Chain ID: 56
Arbitrum
RPC: https://arb1.arbitrum.io/rpc, Chain ID: 42161
Optimism
RPC: https://mainnet.optimism.io, Chain ID: 10
Avalanche C-Chain
RPC: https://api.avax.network/ext/bc/C/rpc, Chain ID: 43114
Sending Transactions
Send Button
Click "Send" on home screen
Recipient Address
Paste 0x... address or ENS name (e.g., vitalik.eth)
Amount
Enter amount in ETH or USD equivalent
Gas Fees
Low (slow), Medium (standard), High (fast), Advanced (custom)
Max Priority Fee
Tip to miners/validators (higher = faster)
Max Fee
Maximum you're willing to pay (excess refunded)
Gas Limit
Computational units (21000 for simple ETH transfer)
Confirm Transaction
Review details, click "Confirm"
View on Etherscan
Click transaction > View on block explorer
Receiving Crypto
Receive Button
Click "Receive" to show your address
Share Address
Copy address or show QR code to sender
Same Address All Networks
Address is same on Ethereum, Polygon, BSC (be careful!)
Only Send ERC-20 to Ethereum
Sending BSC tokens to Ethereum address = permanent loss
ENS Name
Register yourname.eth for human-readable address
Token Management
Import Tokens
Assets tab > Import tokens > Search or paste contract address
Token Contract Address
Find on CoinGecko, CoinMarketCap, or Etherscan
Auto-Detect Tokens
Settings > Security & Privacy > Use token detection (on)
Hide Token
Three dots on token > Hide token
ERC-20 Tokens
Standard Ethereum tokens (USDC, DAI, UNI, LINK, etc.)
ERC-721 (NFTs)
NFTs tab to view NFTs (may need to enable in settings)
ERC-1155 (Multi-Token)
Semi-fungible tokens (gaming assets, etc.)
dApp Interaction
Connect Wallet
Click "Connect Wallet" on dApp; approve MetaMask popup
Sign Message
No gas fee; proves you own the wallet (login, verification)
Approve Transaction
Review gas fee and action; click "Confirm" to proceed
Token Approval
Grant dApp permission to spend your tokens (costs gas)
Unlimited Approval Warning
dApps may request unlimited spending; use custom amount for safety
Revoke Approvals
Use revoke.cash or etherscan.io/tokenapprovalchecker
Disconnect from dApp
Settings > Connected Sites > Disconnect
Swap (Built-in DEX)
Swap Button
Click "Swap" on home screen
Select Tokens
Choose "Swap from" and "Swap to" tokens
Quote Aggregation
MetaMask finds best price across Uniswap, 1inch, etc.
Slippage Tolerance
Settings icon > Slippage (0.5%-3%; higher for volatile tokens)
Price Impact
How much your trade affects token price (keep under 3%)
Review Swap
Check gas fee and rate; click "Swap"
Transaction Failed?
Check slippage, gas limit, or try again with higher gas
Security Best Practices
NEVER Share Recovery Phrase
MetaMask will NEVER ask for it; it's for your eyes only
Write on Paper
Store recovery phrase offline; no screenshots, no cloud storage
Beware of Phishing
Only use metamask.io; check URL carefully (not metamask.com)
Verify Contract Addresses
Always check token addresses on official websites/Etherscan
Review All Transactions
Read what you're signing; scams disguise as harmless approvals
Use Hardware Wallet
Connect Ledger or Trezor for maximum security (cold storage)
Separate Wallets
Hot wallet (small amounts) for dApps; cold wallet for savings
Enable Auto-Lock
Settings > Advanced > Auto-lock timer (5-10 minutes)
Phishing Detection
Settings > Security & Privacy > Use phishing detection (on)
Don't Interact with Random Tokens
Scam tokens airdropped to wallet; ignore and don't approve
Advanced Settings
Custom RPC
Use Infura or Alchemy for faster, more reliable connections
Advanced Gas Controls
Settings > Advanced > Advanced gas controls (on)
Hex Data
Settings > Advanced > Show hex data (view raw transaction data)
Customize Nonce
Settings > Advanced > Customize transaction nonce (on)
State Logs
Settings > Advanced > Download state logs (for debugging)
Clear Activity Tab
Settings > Advanced > Clear activity tab data (reset history)
IPFS Gateway
Settings > Security & Privacy > Use IPFS for NFT media
Troubleshooting
Transaction Stuck?
Speed up (higher gas) or Cancel (replace with 0 ETH to self)
Reset Account
Settings > Advanced > Clear activity tab data (fixes nonce issues)
Balance Not Showing?
Refresh, switch networks, or manually import token
Can't Connect to dApp?
Settings > Connected Sites > Disconnect and reconnect
Out of Gas Error
Increase gas limit manually (Advanced gas controls)
Contact Support
Settings > Get Help > Submit a ticket (support.metamask.io)
Pro Tips:
- Recovery Phrase = Bank Account: Anyone with it controls your funds; treat it like cash
- Test with Small Amounts: Send $5-10 first to verify address before large transfers
- Save on Gas: Use gasNow.org or Etherscan gas tracker; transact during low activity (weekends, late night UTC)
- Layer 2 Networks: Use Polygon, Arbitrum, Optimism for 10-100x cheaper transactions
- Bookmark MetaMask.io: Prevent phishing; always type URL or use bookmark
- Revoke Old Approvals: Monthly check on revoke.cash; remove unused dApp permissions
- Hardware Wallet Integration: Settings > Advanced > Connect hardware wallet (Ledger/Trezor)
- ENS for Convenience: yourname.eth is easier than 0x1234...; register on app.ens.domains