What is MetaMask?
MetaMask is a web browser extension and mobile app that allows you to manage your Ethereum private keys. By doing so, it serves as a wallet for Ether and other tokens, and allows you to interact with decentralized applications, or dapps. Unlike some wallets, MetaMask keeps no information on you: not your email address, not your password, and not your Secret Recovery Phrase or other private keys. You retain all power over your crypto-identity.
For detailed information on specific topics such as blockchain technology, tokens, swaps, Layer 2 networks and the rest, scroll down to "Next Steps".
How to install MetaMask:
Chrome
- Visit https://metamask.io/
- Click on "Download"
- Click “Install MetaMask for Chrome”. You will be directed to Chrome Web Store.
- Click “Add to Chrome”
- On the pop up, click “Add extension”
After adding MetaMask Extension, you’ll return to your browser page. MetaMask will appear on your browser. You may click on it to open MetaMask.
Firefox
- Visit https://metamask.io/
- Click on "Download"
- Scroll down to the Firefox logo, and click on it.
- In the new window that opens, click on "Add to Firefox"
- On the pop up, click “Add”
NOTE: Don't be alarmed by the fact that the Firefox plugin is listed as being published by "danfinlay, kumavis" -- they're a couple of the main minds behind MetaMask :-)
After adding MetaMask Extension, you’ll return to your browser page. MetaMask will appear on your browser. You may click on it to open MetaMask.
Edge
- Visit https://metamask.io/
- Click on "Download", and scroll down until you see the Edge icon.
- Click on the Edge icon, and follow the prompts in the window that opens to install the extension.
After adding MetaMask Extension, you’ll return to your browser page. MetaMask will appear on your browser. You may click on it to open MetaMask.
Brave
- Visit https://metamask.io/
- Click “Download", and scroll down until you see the Brave icon.
- Click on the Brave icon.
- In the Chrome store that opens, click 'Add to Brave'.
- In the popup that appears, click 'Add extension'.
After adding MetaMask Extension, you’ll return to your browser page. MetaMask will appear on your browser. You may click on it to open MetaMask.
Note:
When adding MetaMask to your browser, you may ask why you’d have to approve an extension to “read and change all your data on the websites your visit”. Get ready, the answer is technical:
In order to enable Dapps (Distributed Apps) to access the blockchain, MetaMask needs to inject a Web3 JavaScript object into each page. By doing so, it will not change the website, but merely allows it to access the network.
If you are still not convinced, a good way to experiment and manage your browser is to sandbox your MetaMask: create a separate browser profile so that MetaMask is only installed there. This will let you get used to MetaMask and Web3 in an environment that's separate from your existing web identity.
That said, MetaMask is safe for browsing. Welcome--you're joining over 20 million MetaMask users all over the world!