Coinbase Extension® — Getting Started | Coinbase®

Overview: What Is the Coinbase Wallet Browser Extension?

The Coinbase Wallet extension is a browser‑based crypto wallet that gives you self‑custody control over your digital assets, including Ethereum, Bitcoin, NFTs, and tokens on EVM‑compatible networks. It lets you securely manage keys, connect to decentralized applications (dApps) from your browser, send/receive crypto, and interact with DeFi protocols directly without needing to switch between apps or devices.

This guide takes you from installing the extension to advanced setup, with interlinked sections for ease of understanding. If you’re new to Web3, bookmark the Security and Best Practices section below to revisit later.

1. Installing the Coinbase Wallet Extension

Before you can create or import a wallet, you must install the browser extension.

Step‑by‑Step Installation

  1. Open the Chrome Web Store or your browser’s extension marketplace.
  2. Search for “Coinbase Wallet” — verify it’s the official extension.
  3. Click Add to Chrome/Install and approve any permissions requested by the browser.

💡 Tip: Pin the extension in your browser toolbar for quick access.

Once installed, you’ll see the Coinbase Wallet icon along the toolbar. Clicking it will begin the setup flow.

Continue to Section 2 → where you learn how to create your wallet or import an existing one.

2. Creating Your Coinbase Wallet (Brand New)

If you don’t have a wallet yet, follow the steps below.

Step‑by‑Step Creation

  1. After installation, click the extension icon and choose “Create new wallet.”
  2. Coinbase Wallet will generate a 12‑word recovery phrase — this is your master key.
  3. Securely save your recovery phrase in multiple offline places (password manager + written backup).
  4. Verify that you’ve saved it correctly when prompted.
  5. Create a strong password to lock/unlock your extension.
  6. Optionally claim a web3 username — other users can find you easily.
  7. Your wallet is now created and ready for funding.

⚠️ Important: Coinbase cannot recover your recovery phrase or password if lost — see Security & Best Practices below.

Once your wallet exists, you can Section 4: Fund Your Wallet to start sending, receiving, and trading crypto.

3. Importing an Existing Wallet

Already have a wallet in MetaMask, Trust Wallet, Phantom, or Coinbase Wallet on another device? You can bring it into the Coinbase Extension using the 12‑word recovery phrase.

What You Can Import

  • MetaMask wallet
  • Trust Wallet
  • Phantom wallet
  • Solflare wallet
  • Coinbase Wallet mobile

How It Works

  1. Click the extension and select “Import wallet” or “I already have a wallet.”
  2. Enter your secret recovery phrase (12 words) exactly.
  3. Choose a username and set a new password for this device.
  4. You will then see your imported assets and addresses — no loss of funds.

🔗 Note: This does not remove access from the original source wallet — both will show the same balances if the phrase is the same.

After importing, you can proceed to Section 4: Fund Your Wallet.

4. Funding Your Coinbase Wallet Extension

Once your wallet is created or imported, the next step is getting crypto into it.

From a Centralized Exchange

If you hold crypto on Coinbase.com:

  1. Go to the Coinbase Exchange.
  2. Click Send/Receive, choose Send.
  3. In your extension, click Show Wallet Address and copy it.
  4. Paste into Coinbase’s “Send” form, enter amount, and confirm.

From Another Wallet

To transfer from a wallet app like Trust Wallet or MetaMask:

  1. Open the extension and copy your wallet address.
  2. In the other wallet’s Send feature, paste that address.
  3. Enter amount and complete the transfer.

From Another Source

You can also receive crypto directly from other people by sharing your wallet address.

After funding, you can proceed to Section 5: Interacting With dApps.

5. Connecting to Decentralized Apps (dApps)

One of the core benefits of the Coinbase Wallet extension is the ability to connect directly to Web3 services such as:

  • Uniswap
  • OpenSea
  • DeFi platforms
  • NFT marketplaces

How to Connect

  1. Visit your favorite dApp in the browser.
  2. Click Connect Wallet on the dApp site.
  3. Choose Coinbase Wallet from the list.
  4. A popup will ask you to review permissions — approve only what’s necessary.

Once connected, you can trade, stake, lend, borrow, and more — all from your browser. To manage permissions and connected sites, see Section 10: Privacy & Permissions.

6. Sending and Receiving Crypto

Sending Crypto

  1. Open the wallet extension and choose Send.
  2. Enter the recipient address (or scan QR if supported).
  3. Choose the asset and amount.
  4. Review network fees, then confirm.

Receiving Crypto

  1. Click Receive or Show Wallet Address.
  2. Copy or display your wallet address/QR code.
  3. Share it with whoever’s sending crypto.

Network fees (gas) vary by blockchain and cannot be eliminated — it goes to miners/validators, not Coinbase.

7. Hardware Wallet Integration (Optional)

For extra security, you can pair a hardware wallet (like Ledger or Trezor) with the Coinbase Wallet extension:

  1. Install the extension.
  2. Choose Import existing, then Connect Ledger/Trezor.
  3. Follow on‑screen steps to pair hardware.
  4. Approve transactions on your device.

This adds an extra layer, keeping keys offline while enabling browser DApp interactions.

8. Managing Networks and Tokens

The Coinbase Wallet extension lets you interact with multiple networks:

  • Ethereum
  • Polygon
  • Optimism
  • Arbitrum
  • Custom RPCs

After funding your wallet:

  1. Use the network selector to switch between supported chains.
  2. Add tokens if they don’t appear automatically by pasting the contract address.

This unlocks NFT visibility, DeFi tokens, and cross‑chain capabilities.

9. Security & Best Practices

Security should be your top concern when dealing with self‑custody wallets like Coinbase Wallet Extension.

Store Your Recovery Phrase Safely

  • Never share your 12‑word phrase.
  • Write it offline, store in multiple physical places.
  • Never enter it into websites or share it with support.

Verify Before You Connect

Before connecting your wallet to a dApp:

  • Look at the URL and security certificate.
  • Avoid suspicious or unverified sites.
  • Only connect when necessary.

Beware of Fake Extensions and Scams

Cryptocurrency scammers often create fake browser extensions that impersonate real wallets. Always verify the extension’s publisher before installing. Malicious extensions may ask for your recovery phrase and steal funds — your real recovery phrase should never be typed into a random popup.

💡 Real Coinbase Wallet extensions will not ask you to sign in with email-password — they always rely on your recovery phrase.

Security best practices protect you from threats like malicious websites, fraudulent extensions, and phishing attempts. Always update your extension to the latest version.

10. Privacy & Permissions Management

When connecting to dApps:

  • You’ll see permission requests asking access to your public wallet address.
  • Approve only what’s necessary; avoid blanket permissions.
  • Later, in your extension settings, you can review and remove permissions for connected sites.

This protects your activity from leaking more data than needed.

11. Interlinking Summary (Navigation Map)

  • Installed Extension? → Section 2 / 3 (Create or Import Wallet)
  • Wallet Ready? → Section 4 (Add Funds)
  • Funds in Wallet? → Section 5 / 6 (Connect to dApps & Send/Receive)
  • Want Better Security? → Section 7 & 9
  • Need Custom Networks or Tokens? → Section 8
  • Questions on Permissions? → Section 10

This structure creates a logical flow so you always know where to go next.

12. Troubleshooting Common Issues

If the browser shows “extension not available” or fails to display your wallet, reinstall from the official store and re‑import using your recovery phrase (Section 3). Make sure you’re using a supported browser (Chrome / Chromium / Brave). If issues persist, clear cache and try again.

Conclusion

The Coinbase Wallet browser extension is a powerful tool to manage your crypto and access Web3 directly from your browser. With secure self‑custody, multi‑chain support, hardware wallet options, and seamless dApp connectivity, it gives you full control. By following the steps above — from installation through security best practices — you can safely begin your crypto journey with confidence.