Installing Metamask on Laptop

What is Metamask?

Metamask is an Ethereum wallet that bridges the gap between the user interfaces for Ethereum & Web3 (for example DApps) and the regular web (for example, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox). Its function is to inject a JavaScript library called web3.js into the namespace of each page your browser loads. Web3.js is written by the Ethereum core team. Metamask is used most as a plugin in the web browser. Let’s walk through the steps to install it.

Installation

First, we are going to install it on our laptop browser, then we'll load the same wallet on our phone. Let's start with our laptops.

Metamask is available for the browsers Chrome, Firefox, Brave & Edge. (There is no extension for Safari).

1. Go to Metamask.io on your laptop browser and download the wallet extension.
2. Once installation is complete this page will be displayed. Click the Get Started button.

3. If this is your first time creating a wallet, click the Create a Wallet button. (If you already have a secret recovery phrase for an already existing Metamask wallet, import the already created wallet using the Import Wallet button).

4. Click I Agree button to allow data to be collected to help improve Metamask or else click the No Thanks button. The wallet can still be created even if the user will click on the No Thanks button.

5. Create a password for your wallet. This password is to be entered every time the browser is launched and wants to use Metamask. Agree to Terms of Use.

6. Click on the dark area which says Click here to reveal secret words to get your secret phrase.
7. This is the most important step. Back up your secret phrase properly. Do not store your secret phrase on your computer, or your phone, or ANYWHERE digitally. The secret recovery phrase is the only way to access your wallet if you forget your password. Anyone with this secret recovery phrase can access your wallet from any computer, anywhere in the world. 

Write the secret recovery phrase down physically, and store it in a safe place.

Once done click the Next button.


8. Click the buttons respective to the order of the words in your secret recovery phrase. In other words, type the seed phrase using the button on the screen. If done correctly the Confirm button should turn blue. 

9. Click the Confirm button. Please follow the tips mentioned.

10. You can see the balance and copy the address of the account by clicking on the Account 1 area. You can also rename the Account by clicking the kebab menu. 

11. You can access Metamask in the browser by clicking the Foxface icon on the top right. If the Foxface icon is not visible on Chrome browser, then click on the puzzle piece icon right next to it and pin it. 

Congratulations

You have now successfully installed Metamask on your laptop browser.