Getting Started: Wallet Extension


Ready to jump in with the Coinbase Wallet browser extension? To get started, you can either create a new self-custody wallet or import an existing wallet using a 12 word recovery phrase from another wallet provider like MetaMask or Trust Wallet, or even another Coinbase Wallet.

In either case, you’ll need to install the Coinbase Wallet extension from the Chrome Web Store.

Create a new wallet

Create a new wallet

Step 1: To get started, please install the Coinbase Wallet extension from the Chrome Web Store

Step 2: Choose ‘Create new wallet’.

Step 3: Securely back up your 12-word recovery phrase. We recommend storing this in a secure location, such as a password manager, or writing it down and storing it somewhere safe. Keep this safe, as this is the key to access your wallet and Coinbase cannot recover this phrase for you.

Step 4: Verify that you saved this recovery phrase before moving onto the next step.

Step 5: Create a password to access your wallet. Keep this safe, as you’ll need it to access your wallet regularly. Remember, Coinbase cannot recover your password for you!

Step 6: Claim your free web3 username. This is how other Coinbase Wallet users can find you and send you crypto. If you skip this step, we'll automatically generate a username for you.

Step 7: All done! Your Coinbase Wallet extension has been set up, and is ready to use! Get started by funding your Wallet extension.

Import an existing wallet

Import an existing wallet

Jump to a wallet that you’d like to import from:

In order to import an existing wallet, you must be able to access the wallet’s recovery phrase

Most Ethereum wallets have a 12 word recovery phrase, which act as the key to your wallet. These words must be kept safe. No wallet provider, including Coinbase Wallet, can recover this 12 word recovery phrase for you. 

Recovery phrases are portable, enabling you to transfer your wallet from one self-custody wallet provider to another. With Coinbase Wallet, you can import any Ethereum-based wallet that you may have created with another provider such as MetaMask, Trust Wallet, and others. You can even import your Coinbase Wallet from your mobile device so you can use it in the browser extension as well.

When you import an existing wallet using your recovery phrase into Coinbase Wallet extension, there is no impact on your existing wallet. You will be able to continue using your existing wallet across multiple providers, and any transactions you make will show up in your wallet across all of your wallet providers. 

While the recovery phrase is portable, the password that you set for your wallet is provider-specific and will not be ported over to another provider. Like recovery phrases, passwords cannot be recovered by any wallet provider, including Coinbase Wallet.

How to import your Phantom wallet: 

Step 1: To get started, please install the Coinbase Wallet extension from the Chrome Web Store

Step 2: Open up Phantom in your browser extension or on the mobile app, and enter in your password to access your wallet

Step 3: Navigate to Settings. From the list, click on “Show Secret Recovery Phrase”

Step 4: Enter your password again if prompted

Step 5: Copy down your Secret Recovery Phrase. This should be 12 words. Keep this safe.

Step 6: Open up the Coinbase Wallet extension, and click on the “I already have a wallet” option

Step 7: Enter in the Secret Recovery Phrase that you copied down on Step 4. This should be 12 words. Keep this safe, as this is the key to access your wallet and Coinbase cannot recover this phrase for you. Click on Import wallet once complete.

Step 8: Select a username. Then create a password to access your wallet. Keep this safe, as you’ll need it to access your wallet regularly. Remember, Coinbase cannot recover your password for you!

Step 9: All done! Your Phantom wallet has been imported into the Coinbase Wallet extension, and is ready to use!

How to import your Solflare wallet: 

Step 1: To get started, please install the Coinbase Wallet extension from the Chrome Web Store

Step 2: Open up Solflare in your browser extension, and enter in your password to access your wallet

Step 3: Click on your avatar in the upper left corner of the extension

Step 4: Click “Export mnemonic”

Step 5: Click the “Show” button

Step 6: Copy down your Secret Recovery Phrase. This should be 12 words. Keep this safe.

Step 7: Open up the Coinbase Wallet extension, and click on the “I already have a wallet” option

Step 8: Enter in the Secret Recovery Phrase that you copied down on Step 4. This should be 12 words. Keep this safe, as this is the key to access your wallet and Coinbase cannot recover this phrase for you. Click on Import wallet once complete.

Step 9: Select a username. Then create a password to access your wallet. Keep this safe, as you’ll need it to access your wallet regularly. Remember, Coinbase cannot recover your password for you!

Step 10: All done! Your Solflare Wallet has been imported into the Coinbase Wallet extension, and is ready to use!

How to connect your Ledger hardware wallet

Step 1: To get started, please install the Coinbase Wallet extension from the Chrome Web Store

Step 2: Open up the Coinbase Wallet extension, and click on the “Import an existing wallet option”

Step 3: Select “Connect Ledger wallet”

Step 4: Plug in your Ledger device, select it from the pop-up window, and click Connect.

Step 5: Make sure the Ethereum app is open on your Ledger device and “Application is ready” appears on the Ledger screen.

Step 6: Review and approve the request on the Ledger device.

Step 7: Create a username and sign again on your Ledger. 

Step 8: All done! Your hardware wallet is now linked to the browser extension. 

If you run into issues with connecting your Ledger hardware wallet, check out our troubleshooting tips to fix the issue.

How to import your MetaMask wallet into Coinbase Wallet extension

Step 1: To get started, please install the Coinbase Wallet extension from the Chrome Web Store

Step 2: Open up MetaMask in your browser extension or on the mobile app, and enter in your password to access your wallet

Step 3: Navigate to Settings. From the list, click on the “Security & Privacy” option, and tap on “Reveal Secret Recovery Phrase”. Enter in your password to continue.

Step 4: Copy down your Secret Recovery Phrase. This should be 12 words. Keep this safe.

Step 5: Open up the Coinbase Wallet extension, and click on the “Import an existing wallet option”. Then choose “Import recovery phrase”

Step 6: Enter in the Secret Recovery Phrase that you copied down on Step 4. This should be 12 words. Keep this safe, as this is the key to access your wallet and Coinbase cannot recover this phrase for you. Click on Import wallet once complete.

Step 7: Select a username. Then create a password to access your wallet. Keep this safe, as you’ll need it to access your wallet regularly. Remember, Coinbase cannot recover your password for you!

Step 8: All done! Your MetaMask wallet has been imported into the Coinbase Wallet extension, and is ready to use!

Import an existing wallet from Trust Wallet

Step 1: To get started, please install the Coinbase Wallet extension from the Chrome Web Store

Step 2: Open up the Trust Wallet app on your phone

Step 3:  Click on the Settings, and tap “Wallets”. Tap the informational icon for the wallet that you’d like to import, and click on “Show Recovery Phrase”

Step 4: Copy down your Secret phrase. This should be 12 words. Keep this safe.

Step 5: Open up the Coinbase Wallet extension, and click on the “Import an existing wallet option”. Then choose “Import recovery phrase”

Step 6: Enter in the Secret phrase that you copied down on Step 5. This should be 12 words. Keep this safe, as this is the key to access your wallet and Coinbase cannot recover this phrase for you. Click on Import wallet once complete.

Step 7: Select a username. Then create a password to access your wallet. Keep this safe, as you’ll need it to access your wallet regularly. Remember, Coinbase cannot recover your password for you!

Step 8: All done! Your Trust wallet has been imported into the Coinbase Wallet extension, and is ready to use!

Import an existing wallet from Coinbase Wallet

Step 1: To get started, please install the Coinbase Wallet extension from the Chrome Web Store

Step 2: Open up the Coinbase Wallet app on your phone. Click on the Settings, and tap “Recovery Phrase”. Enter in your password or biometrics to access your Recovery Phrase

Step 3: Copy down your Recovery Phrase. This should be 12 words. Keep this safe.

Step 4: Open up the Coinbase Wallet extension, and click on the “Import an existing wallet option.” Then choose “Import recovery phrase”

Step 5: Enter in the Recovery Phrase that you copied down on Step 5. This should be 12 words. Keep this safe, as this is the key to access your wallet and Coinbase cannot recover this phrase for you. Click on Import wallet once complete.

Step 6: Create a password to access your wallet. Keep this safe, as you’ll need it to access your wallet regularly. Remember, Coinbase cannot recover your password for you!

Step 7: All done! Your Coinbase Wallet has been imported into the Coinbase Wallet extension, and is ready to use!

Other wallets

Step 1: To get started, please install the Coinbase Wallet extension from the Chrome Web Store

Step 2: Open up your existing wallet, either on your mobile app or extension

Step 3: You can typically find your Recovery Phrase in the Settings menu of most wallets. Copy down your Recovery Phrase. This should be 12 words. Keep this safe.

Step 4: Open up the Coinbase Wallet extension, and click on the “Import an existing wallet option.” Then choose “Import recovery phrase.” Enter in the Recovery Phrase that you copied down onto the Coinbase Wallet extension. Click on Import wallet once complete.

Step 5: Create a password to access your wallet. Keep this safe, as you’ll need it to access your wallet regularly. Remember, Coinbase cannot recover your password for you!

Step 6: All done! Your wallet has been imported into the Coinbase Wallet extension, and is ready to use!

Funding your Coinbase Wallet

Funding your Coinbase Wallet

Welcome to the Coinbase Wallet extension! To start exploring the world of crypto, you’ll need some tokens in your wallet. You can buy or transfer ETH, DAI, USDC or another cryptocurrency to get started.

There are a few ways you can do this:

Hold on, what’s the difference between Coinbase.com and Coinbase Wallet extension? 

Coinbase.com is a cryptocurrency brokerage where you can buy or sell cryptocurrency in exchange for fiat currency. Coinbase.com can also store your cryptocurrency for you after you purchase it. You can access Coinbase.com either on the web or using the Coinbase mobile app.

Coinbase Wallet is a non-custodial wallet which allows you to store crypto yourself. With Coinbase Wallet extension, you are asked to write down your 12 word recovery phrase and store it in a secure location. This is because private keys, which represent ownership of your crypto assets, are stored directly on your browser. They are not stored within a centralized exchange like Coinbase.com. More information here.

I have crypto in a Coinbase account

Step 1: From the Assets tab, click "Buy (+)" then click "Connect my Coinbase account" and follow the steps to authorize access

Step 2: Select the asset you'd like to transfer from your Coinbase account to Coinbase Wallet

Step 3: Select your existing Coinbase balance as the source of funds, enter the amount you'd like to transfer to Coinbase Wallet, and click "Preview send"

Step 4: After reviewing the details of your transaction, including any applicable Coinbase and network fees, then click "Confirm"

Step 5: All done! Your Coinbase Wallet extension is now funded with some crypto

I want to buy crypto from Coinbase

Step 1: From the Assets tab, click "Buy (+)" then click "Connect my Coinbase account" and follow the steps to authorize access

Step 2: Select the asset you'd like to purchase from Coinbase

Step 3: Enter the amount you'd like to purchase, choose the source of funds, then click "Preview buy"

Step 4: After reviewing the details of your transaction, including any applicable Coinbase and network fees, then click "Confirm"

Step 5: All done! Your Coinbase Wallet extension is now funded with some crypto

I want to send crypto from Coinbase to Coinbase Wallet

Step 1: Go to Coinbase.com on web, and sign into your account

Step 2: Click on the Send / Receive button, and tap on Send

Step 3: Go to the Coinbase Wallet extension, tap on “Show Wallet address” and click on “Copy” to copy your wallet address

Step 4: Paste this address into the “Send” screen on Coinbase.com. Enter in an amount and select an asset that you’d like to transfer. 

Step 5: All done! Your Coinbase Wallet extension is now funded with some crypto

I don’t have a Coinbase account

Step 1: Go to Coinbase.com on web or download the Coinbase mobile app

Step 2: Follow instructions to sign up for a new Coinbase account. More information here.

Step 3: In case Coinbase is not available in your country, find a local exchange to buy some crypto from. Transfer this over to your Coinbase Wallet extension to get started.

I have crypto in another wallet

Send crypto from a MetaMask browser wallet to your Coinbase Wallet extension

Step 1: Go to the Coinbase Wallet extension, tap on “Show Wallet address” and click on “Copy” to copy your wallet address 

Step 2: Open up MetaMask in your browser extension, and enter in your password to access your wallet

Step 3: Click on “Send” and enter in the wallet address that you copied from Step 1

Step 4: Enter in an amount and select an asset that you’d like to transfer

Step 5: All done! Your Coinbase Wallet extension is now funded with some crypto

Step 6: You can also import your MetaMask wallet into the Coinbase Wallet extension via your 12 word recovery phrase to make it easier to track your balances and conduct transactions. Full instructions here.

Send crypto from a MetaMask mobile wallet to your Coinbase Wallet extension

Step 1: Go to the Coinbase Wallet extension and tap on “Show Wallet address”

Step 2: Open up MetaMask in your mobile app, and enter in your password to access your wallet

Step 3: Click on “Send” and tap on the QR code scanner button in the mobile app

Step 4: Enter in an amount and select an asset that you’d like to transfer 

Step 5: All done! Your Coinbase Wallet extension is now funded with some crypto

Send crypto from a Trust Wallet to your Coinbase Wallet extension

Step 1: Go to the Coinbase Wallet extension and tap on “Show Wallet address” 

Step 2: Open up Trust Wallet on your phone, and tap on the “Send” button on the bottom on your screen

Step 3: Select an asset that you’d like to transfer, and enter in an amount. In your Coinbase Wallet extension, click the QR code icon. Scan the QR code using Trust Wallet on your phone.

Step 4: All done! Your Coinbase Wallet extension is now funded with some crypto

Send crypto from another wallet to Coinbase Wallet extension

Step 1: Go to the Coinbase Wallet extension and tap on “Show Wallet address”

Step 2: Open up your existing wallet on mobile or extension, and tap on the “Send” button

Step 3: Select an asset that you’d like to transfer over and enter in an amount

Step 4: Then, either copy & paste your Wallet extension address, or locate the QR code scan button and scan the QR code from Step 1 to send over some funds 

Step 5: All done! Your Coinbase Wallet extension is now funded with some crypto

What are network fees?

To ensure that transactions are processed on the blockchain, outgoing transactions typically incur a network fee. This fee is paid to cryptocurrency miners, which are the systems that process the transactions and secure the respective network. This fee is applied when conducting various actions, such as sending crypto to another wallet address, trading one crypto for another, and when using dapps or DeFi applications.