Coinbase Wallet

Set up the Coinbase Wallet browser extension

What is a browser extension?

Browser extensions are programs that can be installed into your web browser to change or add functionality.  This allows you to use your Coinbase Wallet while enjoying the convenience of using your Chrome browser as opposed to the in-app browser function on your mobile phone.

Where is the browser on the browser extension?

The browser is just your regular Chrome or Brave browser. The extension is layered on top, much like extensions you might already use such as ad-blockers or coupon extensions. This allows you to connect your wallet to decentralized apps such as Uniswap or OpenSea to transact with them while viewing from a laptop computer. As far as additional browsers, we hope to support Safari and Firefox in the future.

The Coinbase Wallet extension allows you to explore dapps, trade on decentralized exchanges, collect NFTs, and more from your web browser without needing to confirm transactions from your mobile device.

To get started:

  1. Install the Coinbase Wallet extension from the Chrome Web Store.

  2. Create a new wallet OR import an existing wallet. 

  3. If prompted, grant permissions for the Coinbase Wallet extension to interact with your browser, otherwise you won't be able to interact with dapps.

Browser permissions

Coinbase Wallet requires browser permissions to enhance user interaction with dapps. Sharing your public wallet address with a dapp lets it access publicly available data like token balances and transaction history, which is already visible on blockchain explorers like Etherscan. This permission doesn't compromise private information or funds, ensuring your recovery phrase and private key are secure. Similar browser permissions are required by other crypto wallets like MetaMask.

Create a new wallet

  1. Once you’ve installed the extension, select Create a new wallet.

  2. Click Create a new wallet and enter a username—this is how other Coinbase Wallet users can find you. Note that you will not be able to change your username. 

  3. Securely back up your 12-word recovery phrase. 

  4. Verify that you’ve saved your recovery phrase before moving onto the next step.

  5. Create a password to access your wallet. 

Once the above steps are complete, then you can use your Coinbase Wallet extension immediately. 

Important: Coinbase cannot recover your 12-word recovery phrase for you. We recommend storing it in a secure location, such as a password manager or writing it down and keeping it somewhere secure. Your recovery phrase is what gives you—and only you—access to your wallet.

Once you’ve completed the above steps, learn how to add funds to your Coinbase Wallet extension.

Import an existing wallet

You can connect an existing wallet to your Coinbase Wallet extension. Use a recovery phrase or a Ledger hardware device to access your wallet through the browser extension. 

  • Most Ethereum-based wallets have a 12-word recovery phrase, which acts as the key to your wallet. It's important to keep your recovery phrase secure—no wallet provider, including Coinbase Wallet, can recover it for you. 

  • To buy and learn more about Ledger hardware wallets, visit the Ledger website.

  1. Once you’ve installed the extension, select I already have a wallet.

  2. Choose Enter recovery phrase, then enter your wallet’s 12-word recovery phrase.

  3. Click Import wallet.

  4. Create a username and password so that you can unlock your wallet each time you use your computer.

  5. Click Submit.

Once the above steps are complete, then you can use your Coinbase Wallet extension immediately.

Important: Coinbase cannot recover your password for you. Keep it secure, as you’ll need it to access the Coinbase Wallet extension regularly.

Before you get started, if you have an existing wallet linked to your Coinbase Wallet then sign out of your Coinbase Wallet in order to connect your Ledger. Make sure your recovery phrase is backed up and saved before signing out, then follow the below steps: 

  1. Select I already have a wallet when prompted to connect a wallet.

  2. Choose Connect Ledger wallet > Connect now.

  3. Select your device from the pop-up window and click Connect.

  4. Review and approve the request on the Ledger device. (Make sure the Ethereum app is open on the Ledger and “Application is ready” appears on the Ledger screen.)

  5. Create a username and sign again on your Ledger. 

Once complete, then your hardware wallet will be linked to the browser extension. Note that Coinbase Wallet uses your seed phrase’s default account—sometimes called “index 0”—to link to your Ledger. Support for multiple accounts is coming soon.

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

How do I find my recovery phrase? 

Select a type of wallet below for steps on how to find your 12-word recovery phrase. Then follow the steps outlined under “connect an existing wallet with a recovery phrase” above to successfully import your wallet.

  1. Open the MetaMask browser extension and select the three dots in the top right corner, or open the MetaMask mobile app

  2. Select Settings, then Security & Privacy.

  3. Select Reveal Secret Recovery Phrase (and Get Started, if prompted), then answer the two questions.

  4. Enter your password and select Next.

  5. Select Hold to reveal SRP.

  6. Copy your secret recovery phrase and keep it secure.

  1. Open the Trust Wallet mobile app.

  2. Tap the Settings icon, then select Wallets

  3. Select the three dots next to your wallet, then select Manual.

  4. Copy your recovery phrase and keep it secure.

  1. Open your Phantom browser extension or mobile app, and input your password to access your wallet. 

  2. Go to Settings, then click Show Secret Recovery Phrase

  3. Enter your password again if prompted.

  4. Copy your secret recovery phrase, and keep it secure.

  1. Open your Solflare browser extension and input your password to access your wallet.

  2. Click on your avatar in the upper left corner of the extension.

  3. Click Export mnemonic > Show.

  4. Copy your secret recovery phrase, and keep it secure.

Additional wallets

How do I add a second recovery phrase or Wallet?

  1. Open the Coinbase Wallet mobile app or browser extension

  2. Click on your username at the top of the assets tab

  3. Tap add and manage wallets, then click import a wallet.

How do I remove a Wallet?

To remove a wallet you will need to sign out of all wallets. Make sure you have all of your recovery phrases saved and/or backed up before you do this.

How many wallets can I add?

You can add up to 3 wallets this includes one ledger with up to 15 addresses from that ledger.

What is a recovery phrase? 

Recovery phrases allow you to transfer your assets 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 MetaMaskTrust Wallet, and more. You can even import your Coinbase Wallet from your mobile device so you can use it in the browser extension as well.

Are there any risks to importing an existing wallet? 

There is no impact on your existing wallet when you import it to the Coinbase Wallet extension. 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. 

Can I import an existing wallet with a password? 

While the recovery phrase is transferable, the password that you set for your wallet is provider-specific and is not applicable to any other provider. Like recovery phrases, passwords cannot be recovered by any wallet provider, including Coinbase Wallet.