The Braavos Wallet Extension is a browser wallet for Starknet, the zero knowledge rollup that runs on top of Ethereum, and it now handles native Bitcoin as well. You add it to Chrome, Firefox, Brave or Edge. From there you can hold tokens, swap, stake and connect to Starknet dApps without leaving your browser.
So why should you care about one more wallet? Most wallets protect you with a single secret: your seed phrase. Braavos lets you add biometric 2FA or even 3FA for Starknet transactions, so your phone or your fingerprint becomes part of every approval. That only helps if you set it up properly, and that's exactly what this guide covers.
Braavos comes in two forms, and every account can run on one of a few security setups. Here's what each one means in plain terms.
Braavos Browser extension: available for Chrome, Firefox, Brave (through the Chrome Web Store) and Edge.
Braavos Mobile app: available for iPhone on the App Store and for Android on Google Play.
Seed phrase only: the default setup, where your 12 word recovery phrase controls the account.
Passkey Signer: biometric 2FA on a desktop browser, using a passkey.
Hardware Signer: biometric 2FA on your phone, using its secure chip (Secure Enclave on iPhone, the Trusted Execution Environment on Android).
Multi Signer (3FA): transactions need approval from both the extension and the mobile app.
If you mostly use DeFi on a laptop, start with the extension. But if you're holding an amount you'd really hate to lose, install the mobile app too. The phone is what makes the Hardware Signer and 3FA possible, and you switch these options on per account from your account settings.
The main job of the extension is connecting your browser to Starknet apps. When a dApp asks to connect, a Braavos window pops up and you approve or reject it. The official store listing also describes a fraud detection pop up that warns you before you use a dApp it flags as malicious.
It's also a Braavos Bitcoin wallet. Braavos supports native BTC on the Bitcoin network, not just a wrapped version. That sits alongside Starknet assets like ETH, STRK, USDC and USDT, liquid staking tokens such as stETH and wstETH, and Starknet NFTs. One common mistake: if you import an existing Bitcoin wallet with its seed phrase, only Native SegWit addresses (the ones starting with bc1q) are supported, so a different address type won't show up.
Inside the wallet you'll also find token swaps, one click ETH staking, and a DeFi dashboard that tracks your positions across protocols. You can fund the wallet by buying with a card, bank transfer, Apple Pay or Google Pay, by sending from an exchange, or by bridging from another network.
Here's the setup Braavos Wallet Extension. It takes about five minutes, and most of that is writing down your recovery phrase.
Go to the official Braavos download page (braavos.app/download-braavos-wallet) and pick your browser. Using the links there is the easiest way to avoid fake copies. Check that the store page lists Braavos as the publisher before you install.
Click Add to Chrome (or the equivalent button in Firefox or Edge) and confirm. In Chrome, click the puzzle icon in the toolbar and pin Braavos so it's always one click away.
Open the extension, click Create Wallet and set a strong password. This password unlocks the extension on this browser only. It is not your recovery phrase.
Write down the 12 word recovery phrase on paper, in order, and store it somewhere safe. Don't screenshot it or save it in a notes app or cloud drive. It's the only way back in if you lose your device.
Deposit some crypto. Your account isn't fully active on chain until you either make a first transaction or use the deploy prompt in the wallet, so don't worry if it looks unfinished at first.
Optional but recommended: open account settings, tick Hardware Signer, choose Set Security and then Add Passkey Signer to turn on biometric 2FA in your browser.
Already have a Braavos wallet? Pick Import Your Braavos Wallet instead of creating one, enter your 12 words exactly in order and set a new password.
The mobile app isn't just a smaller copy of the extension. It's where the Hardware Signer lives, so your phone's secure chip and your face or fingerprint approve each transaction. According to the Braavos site, sending, swapping, investing and staking are gas free on mobile. The app also lets you pay Lightning QR codes using STRK.
Install Braavos Wallet from the App Store or Google Play using the links on the official download page, and check that the developer is Braavos LTD.
Create a new wallet, or import your existing one with your 12 word recovery phrase.
Go to account settings, tick Hardware Signer, tap Set Security and then Add Hardware Signer. Confirm with Face ID or your fingerprint.
Want 3FA? In the browser extension, open account settings, flip the Multi Signer switch and tap Set Security. Then scan the QR code with the mobile app and confirm your seed phrase is backed up.
Keep your phone and your paper backup safe. If Hardware Signer is on and you delete the app, getting full access back involves a 4 day removal delay.
So what do you actually get compared with a basic browser wallet? Here are the practical benefits.
Optional 2FA and 3FA for Starknet transactions, using a passkey, your phone's secure chip, or both.
A limited seed key once Hardware Signer is on. The key from your seed phrase can only sign a request to remove the Hardware Signer. That request comes with a delay and repeated alerts, so you have time to cancel it.
Bitcoin and Starknet in one place, with native BTC alongside Starknet tokens and NFTs.
Built in swaps, staking and a DeFi dashboard, so you don't need to jump between sites for basic tasks.
Malicious dApp warnings and Ledger connection, both listed on the official store pages.
Free to install from every official store.
Braavos describes itself as a self custodial wallet. That means you hold the keys and Braavos doesn't hold your funds for you. The flip side is that your 12 word phrase is the only way to restore access if you lose your device, and nobody can reset it for you.
It's a self custodial wallet with optional biometric 2FA and 3FA for Starknet transactions, which adds real protection beyond a seed phrase. Still, no wallet is risk free. Your safety depends on downloading it from official links, keeping your recovery phrase offline and watching out for phishing sites and fake support.
The official download page lists Chrome, Firefox, Brave and Edge. Brave installs it from the Chrome Web Store. If your browser isn't on that list, it's safer to switch to one that is.
Yes. Braavos supports native BTC on the Bitcoin network, and you can create a new BTC wallet or deposit from other wallets. If you import an existing Bitcoin wallet with its seed phrase, only Native SegWit addresses are supported.
It's Braavos's mobile 2FA feature. It uses your phone's secure hardware to store a signing key and approve transactions with your face or fingerprint. Once it's on, your seed phrase alone can only request removal of the Hardware Signer, and you get notified so you can cancel.
Starknet accounts are smart contracts, so a new account has to be activated on chain before it's fully usable. Braavos does this when you make your first transaction or use the deploy prompt in the wallet.
The Braavos Wallet Extension is a solid fit if you use Starknet apps or want Bitcoin and Starknet assets in the same browser wallet. Setup is quick, and the extension covers the everyday basics: connecting to dApps, swapping, staking and tracking what you hold.
Its biggest difference is the optional 2FA and 3FA, but those only protect you if you turn them on and keep your recovery phrase safe. Install it from the official download page, and pair it with the mobile app if you hold real value.