MetaMask is a free web and mobile crypto wallet that allows users to store and swap cryptocurrencies, interact with the Ethereum blockchain ecosystem, and host a growing array of decentralized applications (dApps). It is one of the most widely used crypto applications in the world. Over ten million active monthly users logged into MetaMask in August of 2021.

As one of the simpler Ethereum wallets and dapp browsers to use, MetaMask can be set up in a couple of minutes in most cases. It can be set up within 3 steps: download, create a password and back-up the seed phrase. Let's move on!

How to set up Metamask?

To start with MetaMask, you can visit MetaMask and click the 'Download' icon. If you tend to use browser, you need either Chrome, a Chromium-based browser such as Brave or Firefox. If you prefer keeping an App on your phone, check the iOS version or Android version.

For our guide, we’ll be using the Chrome browser version, but the steps are nearly identical for other browsers too.

1. Based on Chrome browser, you can search 'Metamask' in Chrome web store and add it to your browser extension.

2. Once completed the previous step, the page will turn to the splash screen below. Click the ‘Get Started’ button to begin creating your Ethereum wallet with MetaMask.

3. Turn to the next page and choose the cube with ‘Create a Wallet’ button. You will get a notice, read it and agree with it.

4. Set up your own password at minimum 8 characters and confirm it. We recommend using a completely unique password that hasn’t been used anywhere else, and contains a mixture of upper and lowercase letters, symbols, and numbers.

5. Read and accept the Terms of Use, and click ‘Create’ once your password has been set. After setting the password, you are half done. There is a video about the introduction of Secret Recovery Phrase. If you are not interested in it, skip it with the 'Next' button.

6. What's more, MetaMask will present you with your 12-word backup phrase. You need to back-up the phrase by taking a note or just memorizing it. Anybody who has access to your 12-word back phrase will be able to recover your funds, so keep it private.

7. Metamask will give you a kind of test to check if you memorize each phrase. Confirm your backup phrase by entering the words in the same order.

!!! If you lose the 12-words phrase or someone gets it, you will lose your asset in Metamask even your side accounts. Please pay high attention to keep it safe and remember to back-up.

8. Completed all the steps above, you are congratulated for using Metamask!

Just click ‘All Done’ on the final page, and you will be automatically logged in to MetaMask. If you ever get logged out, you’ll be able to log back in again by clicking the icon added to your web browser or find the extension in your chrome browser.

If you are not clear enough about the above steps, how about checking the tutorial video?

What can I do with Metamask?

In this page, you can access your list of assets in the ‘Assets’ and view your transaction history in the ‘Activity’ .

You can choose to buy or send from the wallet, even swapping.

How can I buy or deposit the token?

If you want to deposit, click the 'Buy' icon, a pop-up will appear. You can choose to buy from the wallet supported by Wyre and Transak or deposit directly.

If choosing to buy ETH, you can go on with Wyre or Transak. Confirm all information indeed and complete it.

If choosing deposit directly, you need to scan the code or copy the key to your external wallet, then complete the deposit.

How to send a token?

Sending transactions is as simple as clicking the ‘Send’ icon, entering or pasting the recipient address and amount to send, and selecting a transaction fee.

After clicking ‘Next’, you will then be able to either confirm or reject the transaction on the subsequent page.

You can also manually adjust the transaction fee using the ‘Advanced Options’ button or switch on the advanced gas controls in 'Setting'.

Using information from ETH Gas Station or similar platforms to choose a more suitable gas price. You can customize or enter the amount you want.

After completing the steps for sending the transaction, you can check the process or speed it up in the 'Activity'.

How to swap the token?

Moreover, swapping token is supported in the Metamask. Click 'Swap' icon and start.

Select the token you'd like to swap and enter the amount, then search for or select the token you want to swap to.

Confirm the token and you need to check the slippage tolerance. You can choose or customize the max slippage.

One more step to review your swap, you can confirm the information shown on the page and finish the swap.

How to use MetaMask to interact with a DApp?

Taking MetaMask connect with Pancakeswap as an example.

First, you need to find the button 'Connect Wallet'.

Then, select MetaMask in the pop-up window.

You will get a notification to confirm your wallet, if there is no problem, next to complete the connection.

You need to allow switching network for this connection. Then, you have completed the connection with Dapp.

How can I switch networks?

From the above steps, you will have a chance to switch the network when connecting a Dapp. Generally, find 'Settings' in your Metamask account. Select 'Networks' and put some essentials. Don't forget to save it after confirming all information.

After adding the network, you can check it and switch the network you need.

If you want to learn more about add networks, check out link other blockchains to your MetaMask Wallet.

Dapps automatically connect to MetaMask, simplifying the connection process. Within the Dapp, if payment is required, a pop-up window will appear asking to confirm the transaction from the MetaMask account.

Metamask has played an essential role in raising the standards of usability in blockchain and crypto technology, laying the foundation for the explosive growth of sectors like decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) by simplifying and streamlining the Ethereum user experience into one simple wallet interface.

Closing thoughts

MetaMask is a powerful tool for browsing the decentralized web. If you’ve followed along with the steps in this guide, then you’ve seen the wallet’s potential.

With Ethereum network develops, applications like MetaMask will undoubtedly become integral components in the bridge between existing technologies and nascent cryptocurrency infrastructure.

Questions about MetaMask, Ethereum, or anything else? Head over to Ask Academy, where the community will answer them.