MetaMask is a free browser extension and mobile app that allows users to store and swap crypto, interact with Ethereum, and host dApps.
With its simplified user experience (UX) and approachable design, MetaMask has become a favoured wallet tool for many users in the Ethereum ecosystem. As a wallet that provides storage, swaps, and access to decentralized apps (dApps), Metamask is a multifunctional, robust, and user-friendly portal to Web3.
🌟 Major Usecases
MetaMask has three primary uses: storage, swaps, and dApp access. Collectively, these functions encompass everything a normal crypto user would likely ever need to interact with Ethereum.
🔸 Crypto storage
MetaMask’s built-in crypto wallet can be used to store tokens that are built on Ethereum’s ERC-20 and ERC-721 token standards, and users can easily create and navigate between multiple wallet addresses within the app.
🔸 Token swaps
MetaMask has a trade function that lets you execute peer-to-peer (P2P) token swaps directly from your wallet.MetaMask swaps allow users to trade crypto directly without having to interact with any other custodial or intermediary platform, thus reducing friction, limiting slippage, and lowering costs.
🔸 DApps Accessibility
MetaMask users can also use the wallet to directly access a wide range of Ethereum-based dApps, crypto lending products, Ethereum-powered games, NFTs, and more.
🌟 Installation
The application’s advanced encryption technology allows users to securely store their wallet passwords and private keys within their own browser via a MetaMask extension, which gives them more control over both their public and private keys.
In this post, I will go with the web version. Head over to the official download page.
The extension will automatically detect the browser you are using.
Or alternatively, you can choose your poison from the four supported browsers.
Add extension button
Enable Private access if you want but I won't for mine.
Get Started
Click Create A Wallet
button;
New users are provided with a set of seed phrases when they first create an account, which can be used to recover their account if necessary.
Agree and create a password in the next step
In simple terms, a series of words are selected with a high level of randomness from a specific list of words. In MetaMask and many other Ethereum-compatible technologies, there are 12 words in a seed phrase.
You need to store this in a safe space after revealing it. You can keep it in Google Keep or in a secured text file.
Confirm your Secret Recovery Phrase in the next step. I am only revealing this for educational purposes and I won't be able to use this account.
But you can try the import option and copy my seed phrase to get the idea and why you should keep it safe. Anyone with this phrase can actually access your account.
Congratulations, you are in!
This is the default welcome screen.
If you are a developer, you may want to enable test networks by selecting them from this drop-down since by it is the main network by default.
That's it! You should be good now and I will be doing another blog about the actual usage of this hot wallet, faucets for test ETH, storage, Swaps, Accounts creation & switching, recovering your crypto etc.
I have also done a corresponding video.
🌟 Conclusion
Once again, hope you learned something today from my little closet.
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