If you’re looking to get into the world of Crypto, you’ll need a digital wallet to store your funds. One of the most popular wallets for storing Ethereum-based tokens is MetaMask.

In this guide, we will show you how to set up a MetaMask Wallet from scratch. We’ll also show you how to add funds and make transactions.
Let’s get started!

Step One: How to Install MetaMask on your Device

You can use MetaMask on your computer, iOS or Android devices.

If you’re going to use it on your computer, MetaMask supports Chrome, Firefox, Brave, and Edge.

Since you’re starting from scratch, use a computer with your Chrome browser to get started. After we’re done we’ll show you how to link your Chrome MetaMask with your mobile devices.

Step Two: Install the MetaMask Chrome Extension

First, head on to MetaMask’s download page on your phone and pick your device: iOS or Android.

Open your Chrome browser and go to: https://metamask.io/download/

Click on ‘Install MetaMask for Chrome’.

This will lead you to the Chrome Web Store. Click on ‘Add to Chrome’ and then ‘add extension’.

Step Three: Create a New MetaMask Account

Once you have installed the extension, open MetaMask by clicking on the fox icon in your Chrome toolbar. If you don’t see it, click on the puzzle icon and you’ll see the MetaMask fox icon in there.

You will be prompted to either ‘Create a Wallet’ or ‘Import wallet’. Since this is your first time installing MetaMask, click on ‘Create a Wallet’.

Now you need to accept the terms of service, and next choose a strong password and write it down somewhere safe. This is the password you’ll use to access your MetaMask account.

Click on ‘Create’ to confirm your new account.

Step Four: Save your MetaMask Backup Keys

Up next, MetaMask will reveal your secret backup phrase.

Pay attention: this is the most important piece of information to keep your savings safe!

These 12 words that MetaMask gives you are the secret words to recover your wallet and your funds in the future and to connect other devices to your account.

If you forget your password, your computer breaks, your phone gets stolen, or if for any other reason you can’t access your wallet, these 12 words are the only way to recover it.

Also, anyone who knows these 12 words can access your wallet and clean you out.

So, time to safeguard these 12 secret words…

How to safeguard your crypto wallet secret key backup phrase:

1. Store them somewhere you know you’ll be able to find them later
2. Avoid storing them online, as this can be a potential security risk
3. Write them down or print them out
4. Double and Triple check: make sure you get the right spelling, all the words, and the correct order!

Great, do you have it in a safe place, that you won’t forget, and where it won’t be easily available to anyone else…?

Then click ‘Next’, and type these words again when prompted. MetaMask wants to make sure that you got them somewhere, so you’ll need to write them from scratch.

Step Five: Get to know your new Wallet!

Alright, you’ve setup MetaMask and have a brand new crypto wallet ready to go!
Time to familiarize yourself with it…

Your MetaMask Crypto Wallet Address

You’ll see your Wallet Address right at the top of your MetaMask.
Click the square icons beside it to copy the address to your clipboard.

Pick a blockchain Network

Look at the top right of your MetaMask, you’ll see that it says ‘Ethereum Mainnet’.

By default, your MetaMask wallet will be created on the Ethereum blockchain network.
With this address, you can store and trade anything on the Ethereum network, including tokens, NFTs, and whatever else is created in the future.

MetaMask also supports other networks, and once you have those configured, you can switch between networks by picking from the top right option.

See your Assets

MetaMask will show your assets right below the Wallet Address. You’ll be able to see how much you have of each token right there. If you click on a specific token MetaMask will show you the transaction details for that token.

BONUS 1: Connect your Mobile Device to MetaMask

Do you want to check and trade your assets on the go?
Well, MetaMask can do that for you!

Here’s how to install and use MetaMask from your Mobile Phone:

• First, head on to MetaMask’s download page on your phone and pick your device: iOS or Android.
• Next, install the app from your phone’s app store.
• Open the app, create your new password, and then select the option to ‘Import with seed phrase’.
• Now type in your 12 secret words.

That’s it, now you have access to your MetaMask wallet from your phone!

BONUS 2: Adding Crypto Tokens to your MetaMask Wallet

To add new tokens to your MetaMask wallet you’ll need to know the address of the token’s contract or the token name.

Simply open your MetaMask and click on ‘Import Token’

BONUS 3: Adding more Crypto Networks to your MetaMask

Now that you’re familiar with MetaMask and getting more into crypto, you may want to explore other blockchain networks.

And good news, MetaMask supports several of these!

To add a new network you’ll need:

• Network Name
• RPC URL
• Chain ID
• Symbol
• Block Explorer URL

Click on the Networks option, then Add Network.

Add the information for your new network, and click Save.