Self custody · Multi network · Web3 ready

Your browser becomes a gateway to Web3

The Coinbase Wallet extension is a self-custody wallet that lives in your browser. It holds your keys, keeps your digital assets in view, and lets you review every request before you approve it — so you stay in charge of your own Web3 activity.

Start the quick guide What it does

You hold the recovery phrase
Works with decentralized apps
No account required to create a wallet

My wallet 0x7a3f…9c21

Connected

Total portfolio value (illustrative) $4,128.60 ▲ 2.4% this week

EthereumETH1.240$3,050.12
BitcoinBTC0.018$1,008.44
USD CoinUSDC70.04$70.04

Transaction preview Check network, amount & permissions

01 Overview

What the Coinbase Wallet extension actually is

It is not the same as a Coinbase exchange account. The extension is a wallet you control: it stores the keys on your device, signs transactions on your behalf, and connects you to decentralized applications across multiple networks.

Self-custody by design

Your wallet is created locally in the browser. The recovery phrase it gives you is the master key — save it offline, because it is the only way to restore access. Nobody at any company can reset it for you.

One connection point

Instead of creating an account on every site, you connect the wallet. The extension shows what a decentralized application is asking for and lets you approve, adjust or reject the request.

Assets in one view

Tokens across supported networks, collectibles and activity sit in a single interface, so you can see what you hold and what you have done without hopping between explorers.

02 Features

What you can do with it

Everything below is about awareness and control — the wallet is an assistant for your decisions, not a replacement for them.

Multi-network access

Switch between supported networks and manage assets in the same wallet, with each chain kept clearly labelled.

Decentralized app browsing

Open supported Web3 sites and connect securely, then approve or refuse each connection on your own terms.

Transaction awareness

Review the network, amount, recipient and estimated fee before signing — nothing moves until you confirm.

Collectibles & tokens

Keep NFTs and token balances visible in one place so your on-chain holdings stay easy to follow.

Privacy considerations

Blockchain activity is public by nature. Understand what a wallet address reveals before you share it widely.

Security controls

Device passwords, auto-lock and connected-site management help you keep your wallet under your control.

03 Get started

Four steps, then you are ready

Take your time on step two. The recovery phrase is the single most important thing you will handle.

Always install a wallet from the official source you looked up yourself — never from a link in an email, ad or direct message.

1

Add it to your browser

Install from the official store listing, pin the icon, and keep the extension updated so fixes and patches arrive automatically.
2

Create or import a wallet

Start a new wallet or restore an existing one with your recovery phrase. Write the phrase on paper, store it offline, and never type it into a website or chat.
3

Connect to a dApp

Visit a supported decentralized application, choose the wallet option, and confirm the connection only if you recognise the site.
4

Review before you sign

Read the preview: network, amounts, recipient and permissions. Start with a small test transaction when something is new to you.

04 Security & privacy

Self custody means self responsibility

With a self-custody wallet, no support desk can reverse a transaction or restore a lost phrase. A short list of habits does most of the work.

Keep the recovery phrase offline, in more than one safe place
Use a strong, unique device and wallet password
Verify the network and recipient before every signature
Review connected sites regularly and disconnect what you no longer use
Treat unsolicited tokens, airdrops and "support" messages as risks

Abstract blue light trails suggesting digital networks

Getting started 6 min read Updated for anyone new to Web3

Coinbase Wallet Extension: A Practical Getting-Started Guide

The Coinbase Wallet extension is a browser-based gateway to Web3. Once installed, it creates a self-custody wallet inside your browser: the keys that control your assets stay with you, and the extension simply signs what you decide to approve.

Getting started takes a few minutes. Add the wallet from its official source, then create a new one or import an existing wallet with your recovery phrase. Write that phrase down offline: it is the only way to restore access, and no legitimate support team will ever ask for it.

From there, the extension becomes your connection point for decentralized applications. It can hold and display assets across several networks, show token balances and collectibles, and present a clear preview of every transaction before you confirm it. That preview is the heart of the experience: check the network, the recipient, the amount and the permissions a dApp requests.

Because self custody means self responsibility, habits matter most. Keep the extension updated, use a strong device password, review connected sites periodically, and disconnect from anything you no longer use. Treat every signature request as a decision you own, and pause before approving anything unfamiliar.

Ready to try it? Walk through the four steps above at your own pace.

Go to the steps

05 FAQ

Questions people ask first

Is the Coinbase Wallet extension the same as a Coinbase account?

No. An exchange account is held for you, while the extension is a wallet you control with your own keys. They can be used side by side, but the responsibilities are different.

What happens if I lose my recovery phrase?

Without it there is no way to restore the wallet or move the assets in it. Store the phrase offline in more than one safe location, and never as a photo or a note on a connected device.

Does connecting a dApp give it access to my funds?

Not directly. A connection shares your public address; moving assets always needs a signature you approve. Read permission prompts carefully, since some approvals widen what a contract can do later.

Is my activity private?

Blockchain records are public. A wallet address does not carry your name, but it can be linked to you through patterns of use, so think before publicly tying an address to your identity.

Can I use it on my phone?

Browser extensions are desktop tools. For mobile use, the mobile wallet app covers the same ideas, and the two can be paired for confirmations on some networks.

Start with awareness, not speed

Understand the wallet, protect the phrase, and review every request. That is the whole method.

Back to the steps