Using MetaMask is a very simple and here We will explain you step by step how to do it:
Installing MetaMask
First of all, installing MetaMask is very simple. To do this, you just have to go to the plugin or extension store of your browser or go directly to the official MetaMask website from which you will be directed to. to the right space. In our case, we are using Firefox and we will do it using the official MetaMask website.
At this point we just have to click on the option “Download Now“, which takes us to the MetaMask wallet download options, where we can start the download and installation:
Once there we just have to click on “Install MetaMask for Firefox“and it will take us to the Firefox extensions or plugins store:
At this point just click on “Add to Firefox“and the installation of the wallet will begin, at the end of the installation you will see the wallet and its welcome page on your screen.
Setting up the MetaMask wallet
We will now begin the process of configuring MetaMask for our first use. In this case, you must click the button “Start“and this will start our setup tour. Once this is done, you will see the first configuration step that will allow you to two things:
- Import a wallet from a seed phrase or seed phrase (Backup or Backup)
- Create a wallet from 0.
You must select the option that best suits what you are going to do. For example, if you already had a MetaMask wallet and you have the backup phrase handy, you can use the first option to get your old wallet and all its coins back. But, if this is the first time you are going to create a wallet, or you just want another wallet for a different browser or device, then select the second option.
At the end of this article, we will create a new wallet, so we choose the second option. We are immediately moved to the second section of the configuration, where we are asked for permission to help developers improve MetaMask by accessing some data on the use of our wallet. If you want to give access, you just have to click on “Accept”, and if you don’t want to collaborate, just click on “No, thanks.”
The following option is for security and is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. Now you must configure the password for your wallet, it must be a secure password, unique and you must keep it in a safe place, because it will help you. in the backup process when you need it.
When entering your password and confirming, you must click on the checkbox of “I have read and agree to the Terms of Use” and then click “Create”. This will give Start the creation of your wallet and its seed phrases that will be shown in the next window. Secondly, If you want to know the terms of use, you can read them at this link.
Continuing with the process, you arrive at the section of your seed phrases, these words must be copied as is, without errors of any kind to ensure the support of your funds.
Remember this very clearly:
These words are YOUR MONEY, copy them without errors and clearly. At the end, check them one by one, and then store them in the safest place you can find. If these words fall into the wrong hands, you CAN lose your money. If you lose these words and have also lost access to the wallet, then YOU WILL LOSE YOUR MONEY FOREVER, because no one will be able to. help you get the funds back.
Completing this process will finish setting up MetaMask and are ready to use it.
Interacting with the wallet
Finally, you already have MetaMask installed in your browser and you can see its simple interface:
As you can see initially the purse is programmed to use the Ethereum network, and allows you things as basic as Buy, Send or Trade Ethereum from the same wallet. For instance, if we click “Buy”, it will show us options to buy Ether:
Most of the options are bridges with the fiat world, allowing you to buy ETH using your bank account, debit / credit card or directly use another ETH wallet to send ETH to the new wallet created by MetaMask, the choice ; n in any case is yours.
The “Send” option is equally simple, allowing you to scan a QR (using a webcam), entering the address in question or using ENS to get the domain name to which you want to send your available ETH or tokens. .
And in “Redeem” you have the option to exchange your ETH or tokens for others directly from the wallet without having to go anywhere else.
Finally, if you want to know where it is the address of your ETH wallet, you just have to click where it says “Account 1” (this name can be changed) and with this you will be able to know the ETH address of your MetaMask wallet. In our example case the address is:
0x0bDFF82f12ccb05A6fF1fF900356a4cd242Fa094
Finally, you want to see the history of operations that you have in the MetaMask wallet (both sending, receiving and exchange) you just have to click on the option “Activity” and there; you will be able to see all your operations clearly specified.
Advanced networking options
MetaMask is a very powerful wallet that allows you to configure different networks to be used in it (in addition to Ethereum, which is the one that comes by default). You can see the supported networks by clicking on the “Networks” drop-down in the wallet, where you will see the list of supported networks.
In the screenshot you can see that the Ethereum network is the one chosen by default. But in addition, you also have Ethereum test networks from Ropsten to Goerli, and you have the ability to add custom or local networks (in case you have your own ETH node running on your computer). In any case, the configuration capacity is total.
Additional configuration options
If you click on the “avatar” you will be able to enter other advanced configuration options.
There you can see options like “Create account”, which allows you to create a new wallet using the same MetaMask installation. You can also “Import account” which allows you to add another account to MetaMask using an already generated seed phrase (as a backup).
Additionally, MetaMask also allows a hardware wallet to be connected, which makes the handling of funds more secure, since MetaMask remains as a viewing wallet and the wallet’s private keys remain in the hardware wallet. This last option is compatible with Trezor and Ledger, and is an ideal way to manage funds much more securely with your MetaMask wallet.
Finally, In the option “Configuration” you have access to other options offered by MetaMask.
Among the configuration options that you can find here we highlight:
- Change the display currency of your tokens ($ is used by default).
- Manage wallet data records.
- Activate or deactivate advanced options for permits and control of expenses and GAS.
- Configure integration with Ledger and IPFS.
- Manage contacts (both by pure addresses and by ENS)
- Security options to counteract phisihing (do not disable this for any reason).
- Wallet alerts.
- Add or remove supported networks in the wallet (to add support to BSC or Polygon if you wish)
As you can see, the options are varied and give you total control over the wallet.