MetaMask Extension: The Crypto Wallet for Defi, Web3 Apps, and NFTs

When you enter the crypto marketplace, you get to know that there are a few important aspects that you need to consider before you can actually dive deep into the world of cryptocurrency trading. The first thing that you need to figure out is which crypto exchange are you going to choose for the safe storage of crypto assets. But, have you thought about where will you store your crypto assets that you have purchased from an exchange? Well, let me help you with that. If you are trading ETH or ETH-based crypto tokens, I have a great suggestion for you. Yes, the MetaMask wallet. This a non-custodial crypto wallet that has been made available for all users as a MetaMask extension and a mobile application.

The extension is available for different web browsers and can be easily installed on those supported web browsers. If you are interested in using this wallet, then let me help you with some more aspects of this wallet.

Fortunately, the MetaMask Wallet extension is available for different web browsers that people commonly use. Though the supported browsers are mostly found on Windows devices, you can still use MetaMask on a Mac device, but not the simple way. But, before we talk about that, let us now take a look at the list of supported web browsers:

• Chrome

• Brave

• Edge

• Mozilla Firefox

• Opera

None of these web browsers are pre-installed on a Mac device because it runs on a Safari browser. Therefore, to use the MetaMask extension on Mac, you can install Chrome browser on it and then add the extension later on.

Installing the extension is a thing that you can decide only after deciding whether or not this wallet does what you are expecting from it. Hence, it is important that you take a look at its key features:

• MetaMask works as a non-custodial wallet giving you full control over your assets

• Carefully safeguards your assets with its diverse security features

• Can be installed on PCs, desktops, and laptops as a MetaMask extension

• You do not need to pay any kind of maintenance fee

• You can add some networks to it manually

• Lets you interact with dApps (decentralized applications)

Chrome is one of the most popular browser choices among Windows users. Hence, you also have Chrome browser on your device, I suggest you take these steps into consideration for installing MetaMask on it:

1. Visit https://metamask.io/ using your Chrome web browser

2. Place your cursor on the "Download" button and select it

3. Moving further, select "Install MetaMask for Chrome"

4. The resulting page would come up with the Chrome Web Store

5. In it, choose "Add to Chrome" and "Add extension" options

6. Within a few seconds, the extension will be available for you

In this particular section of the read, I am going to shed some light on what steps you need to take if you wish to use the MetaMask extension on a browser other than Chrome:

1. On the official website, click the "Download" button

2. Otherwise, jump directly to https://metamask.io/download website

3. Following this, you need to select the icon of your web browser from this page

4. Thereafter, you can choose the "Install" option

5. Follow some easy prompts after the download is complete

6. Now, you can set up your MetaMask wallet afterward

While you may be doubtful regarding the cryptocurrencies that you can store on MetaMask, many people think that it only supports the storage of ETH and Ethereum-based crypto assets. In case you're not sure about this, then this section of the read is just for you.

Alongside letting you store Ethereum and ETH-based crypto assets, the wallet also lets you store ERC-20 tokens. If you want, you can also use this wallet to store tokens built on different other blockchains. However, you need to take some manual steps to add a new network to your wallet. To add any network such as Binance Smart Chain, you need to know the comprehensive details of this network. The details you will need are:

• Chain ID

• Symbol

• Network name

• Block Explorer URL

• New RPC URL

The few easy steps you need to follow for setting up the MetaMask wallet on a newly added extension or the app are as follows:

1. Initialize the setup by opening the downloaded MetaMask software

2. Upon choosing "Get Started" you will be greeted with the Welcome screen

3. Thereafter, choose the "Create a new wallet" button

4. Agree to their terms and create a new login password

5. After confirming the password, choose the "create a new wallet" option once again

6. Backup the Secret Recovery Phrase and you're good to go

There are different instances during your crypto journey when you wish to get access to your wallet. But, do you know what you're going to do if the MetaMask extension does not open? Well, there are a few easy things you can try doing in this scenario which are as follows:

• Once again go to the MetaMask website and install any available updates

• If an update isn't available, remove MetaMask from your browser and add it again

• Please check any issues with the internet connection and resolve the issue

• In addition to that, you can also delete cache and cookies from your browser

MetaMask extension is one of the best ways through which you can access the Web3 world directly. With this extension present on your device, you can store Ethereum-based crypto assets, use decentralized applications, and buy, sell, send, receive, stake, swap, and Bridge tokens via MetaMask Portfolio.