Take a moment to explore and configure your new wallet’s settings. Once you’ve imported your existing wallet, you - as with anyone new to MetaMask - should continue on to Step 3 to ensure your MM wallet is set up to your ideal preferences. Upon selecting the “Import wallet” option, you’ll get a prompt to enter a private key (seed phrase) or upload a JSON file (basically a snapshot of your existing wallet’s info) for the import, so have one or the other ready!
If importing an existing wallet, you’ve most likely navigated a software wallet interface before and have a general idea of how MetaMask will function. This is the main wallet page you’ll see once your account is successfully set up or imported. Since the initial 2021 NFT boom, there have been numerous prominent NFT artists and collectors who have been scammed and hacked via their seed phrase. Saving your phrase anywhere on your computer (Word doc, text file, etc.) could leave you vulnerable to hacks and scams.
Note: Two secure ways to consider storing your seed phrase are to physically write it down in a notebook or on a notepad and save it somewhere safe and offline, or use a password manager to encrypt your password and phrase. Once confirmed, you’ll arrive at the main page of your MetaMask wallet. You’ll receive a randomly generated string of words and will be asked to confirm this phrase by entering it back into the app. The next step after selecting a password does involve your seed phrase - or “secret backup phrase” - so act with care. Although this is not your private key/seed phrase, you’ll want to save it in a safe place, just as with any password. You’ll use this password to sign in to your MM account via the browser extension or the mobile app. Next, you’ll get a prompt to create a password. You can always opt-out later in the MM wallet settings. Once you’ve selected the option to create a new wallet, you’ll be asked to agree to - or opt-out of - MetaMask’s usage data gathering. If you have an existing software wallet (Atomic, Exodus, Rainbow, etc.) and are wanting to transition over to MetaMask, select the “Import wallet” option. If this is your first time setting up a software wallet, you’ll want to start with the “Create a Wallet” option. Once you’ve downloaded and installed the browser extension (for this tutorial, we’re using Chrome), you’ll arrive at the first selection screen.
Once you have the browser extension fully set up, you can then create an account that can be imported onto the Apple or Android app.
Although you can jump straight into setting up a MM wallet from your phone, browsing and collecting NFTs can be a bit difficult via mobile considering many projects and interfaces aren’t built for a handheld interface. If you’re hoping to primarily use MM on mobile, the easiest way to get started would still be to set up an account via a PC or Mac. Currently, MM can be used only on Chrome, Firefox, Brave, Microsoft Edge or as an app via an Apple or Android device.
Start at the MetaMask website, where you’ll find instructions on how to download the wallet as well as a list of browsers compatible with the MM browser extension. Whether you’re transitioning away from an existing software wallet or are interested in starting an NFT collection, this step-by-step guide will help you set up your new MetaMask wallet. Created to allow users to interact with the Ethereum blockchain, MM’s ease of access and browser-extension application makes it an appealing tool for both buyers and sellers. When it comes to collecting NFTs, MetaMask, which surpassed 10 million monthly users in August, is one of the most popular software wallets available.