Quick answer
To set up MetaMask: visit metamask.io, download the browser extension for Chrome/Brave/Firefox, click 'Create a new wallet', set a device password, carefully write down your 12-word recovery phrase on paper, confirm the phrase, and your wallet is ready. Never share your recovery phrase with anyone — it is the master key to all your funds.
What is MetaMask and why is it the standard wallet for DeFi?
MetaMask is a browser extension and mobile app that acts as your gateway to Ethereum and the wider world of decentralised finance. When you navigate to any DeFi application — Uniswap, Aave, Curve, OpenSea — MetaMask is what allows that application to interact with your wallet. It is the de-facto standard because it was the first widely-adopted browser wallet and has maintained compatibility with virtually every DeFi protocol since.
MetaMask holds your private keys locally in your browser (encrypted with your password). When a DeFi application asks you to sign a transaction, MetaMask presents you with exactly what you are being asked to approve — so you can review it before committing. Nothing can move your funds without your explicit approval via MetaMask.
As of 2026, MetaMask has over 30 million monthly active users and supports Ethereum, plus dozens of compatible networks including Arbitrum, Base, Optimism, Polygon, Avalanche, and BNB Chain.
Step 1: Download MetaMask from the official source
- 01
Navigate to metamask.io
Open your browser and type metamask.io directly into the address bar. Do not search 'MetaMask' and click an ad — fake MetaMask sites frequently appear in sponsored search results. The official URL is metamask.io.
- 02
Click 'Download'
The site will detect your browser and offer the appropriate extension. MetaMask supports Chrome, Brave, Firefox, and Edge. For mobile, it is available on iOS (App Store) and Android (Google Play).
- 03
Add to your browser
Click 'Add to Chrome' (or your browser's equivalent). Your browser will ask you to confirm. After installation, you will see the MetaMask fox icon in your browser toolbar.
- 04
Pin the extension
In Chrome, click the puzzle piece icon in your toolbar, find MetaMask, and click the pin icon. This keeps MetaMask easily accessible in your toolbar.
There are dozens of fake MetaMask extensions and websites. Only download from metamask.io. Verify the extension developer in Chrome says 'MetaMask' and check the number of users (over 10 million legitimate installs). If anything looks different, uninstall and start over from the official site.
Step 2: Create your wallet
- 01
Open MetaMask
Click the MetaMask fox icon in your toolbar. A new tab will open with the MetaMask setup screen.
- 02
Select 'Create a new wallet'
Choose this if you are starting fresh. If you have an existing wallet elsewhere (for example, if you have a Coinbase Wallet with a recovery phrase), choose 'Import wallet' and enter your recovery phrase instead.
- 03
Agree to terms
Read and accept MetaMask's terms of service and privacy notice.
- 04
Create your device password
This password encrypts your wallet data on this device. It is what you type to unlock MetaMask each session. It is NOT your recovery phrase — it only protects the local device copy. Choose a strong, unique password.
- 05
Watch the security video
MetaMask provides a short video explaining recovery phrases. Watch it — it covers exactly why your phrase matters and what happens if you lose it.
- 06
Reveal your recovery phrase
Click 'Reveal Secret Recovery Phrase'. MetaMask will display your 12 words. Get a pen and paper NOW — write down every word in the exact order shown.
- 07
Confirm your recovery phrase
MetaMask asks you to click the words in the correct order to confirm you wrote them down. This is MetaMask verifying you have your phrase before you proceed.
- 08
Wallet created
Your wallet is now created. MetaMask will show you your wallet address — a long string starting with '0x'. This is your public address — safe to share when someone wants to send you crypto.
The most important action you take in all of crypto: write your 12-word recovery phrase on paper, in order, and store it somewhere physically secure. Not on your computer. Not in your notes app. Not photographed. Not emailed. On paper, in a safe place. This phrase, in the right hands, gives instant access to everything in your wallet.
Step 3: Understand your MetaMask interface
Once your wallet is created, MetaMask shows you a dashboard. Here is what each element means:
- Account address
- The long 0x... string at the top is your public wallet address. Click to copy it. Share this when you want to receive crypto — it is entirely public and safe to share.
- Network selector
- The dropdown at the top right (showing 'Ethereum Mainnet' by default). This selects which blockchain network you are connected to. Most DeFi operates on Ethereum Mainnet, but cheaper transactions are available on networks like Arbitrum and Base.
- ETH balance
- Shows how much Ether (ETH) you hold on the selected network. Starts at 0 until you fund your wallet. ETH is also used to pay for all transactions (gas fees) on Ethereum.
- Token list
- Below your ETH balance, any other tokens you hold appear here. New tokens may need to be manually added using the 'Import tokens' option if they do not appear automatically.
Step 4: Fund your MetaMask wallet
Your MetaMask wallet starts empty. To use DeFi, you need ETH — both as the asset you interact with and to pay for transaction fees (gas). The most straightforward way to fund MetaMask is via a centralised exchange.
- 01
Buy ETH on a centralised exchange
Use a regulated exchange such as Coinbase, Kraken, or Binance. Create and verify your account, deposit funds via bank transfer, and buy ETH.
- 02
Copy your MetaMask address
Open MetaMask and click your account address at the top to copy it. It starts with 0x and is 42 characters long.
- 03
Withdraw ETH from the exchange to MetaMask
On your exchange, go to Withdraw > Crypto. Paste your MetaMask address as the destination. Select the Ethereum network (important — not BNB Chain or another network unless you intend that). Double-check the address.
- 04
Send a test transaction first
Always send a small amount first (£5-10 equivalent) and verify it arrives in MetaMask before sending larger amounts. ETH transactions are irreversible — a mistake cannot be undone.
- 05
Wait for confirmation
Ethereum transactions typically take 15 seconds to a few minutes. Once confirmed, your ETH will appear in MetaMask automatically.
Keep at least £10-20 worth of ETH in your wallet purely for gas fees even when you are mostly using stablecoins or other tokens. Gas is always paid in ETH regardless of which token you are swapping or depositing.
Step 5: Add additional networks (Arbitrum, Base, Polygon, etc.)
MetaMask starts with just Ethereum Mainnet configured. To use Layer 2 networks where gas fees are typically 10-100x lower, you need to add those networks. This is straightforward and free.
- 01
Open network settings
In MetaMask, click the network dropdown at the top. Click 'Add network'.
- 02
Browse popular networks
MetaMask maintains a list of popular networks you can add with one click. Arbitrum One, Optimism, Base, Polygon, and Avalanche C-Chain are all available.
- 03
Approve the network addition
Click on your desired network. MetaMask shows you the network details (chain ID, RPC URL, block explorer). Click 'Approve' to add it.
- 04
Switch to the new network
After adding, you will be prompted to switch to the new network. Accept, and MetaMask now displays balances on that network.
- Arbitrum One — lowest fees for most Ethereum DeFi protocols, good liquidity
- Base — Coinbase's Layer 2, growing ecosystem, very low fees
- Optimism — one of the original Ethereum Layer 2s, well-established
- Polygon — very low fees, good for gaming and NFTs
- Remember: ETH on Ethereum Mainnet is different from ETH on Arbitrum — they are the same asset but exist on different networks
Frequently asked questions
Is MetaMask a hot wallet or cold wallet?
MetaMask is a hot wallet — it is software connected to the internet. This makes it convenient for daily DeFi use but less secure than a hardware wallet (cold wallet). For serious amounts, use MetaMask connected to a Ledger hardware wallet. This combines MetaMask's convenience and compatibility with Ledger's offline key storage.
What if I forget my MetaMask password?
Your MetaMask device password only protects the local installation on your device. If you forget it, you can reset MetaMask completely and restore your wallet using your 12-word recovery phrase. Without your recovery phrase, a forgotten password means permanent loss of access.
Can I use MetaMask on my phone?
Yes. The MetaMask mobile app for iOS and Android includes a built-in browser that allows you to access DeFi applications directly. Your recovery phrase is the same across all MetaMask installations — import your phrase into the mobile app to access the same wallet.
How do I connect MetaMask to a DeFi protocol?
Navigate to the DeFi application (e.g. app.uniswap.org). Click 'Connect wallet' or similar. Select 'MetaMask'. A MetaMask popup will ask for permission to connect — click 'Connect'. You are now connected and can interact with the protocol.
Why does MetaMask show a different account balance than I expect?
MetaMask shows balances for the specific network you have selected. If you are on Ethereum Mainnet but your funds are on Arbitrum, switch networks to see them. If you recently transferred and the balance hasn't updated, click the refresh icon. New tokens may need to be manually imported if MetaMask doesn't detect them automatically.