Table of contents
Quick answers
- metamask faq: This page gathers the most common setup, recovery, and day-to-day questions about using MetaMask as a non-custodial software wallet.
- Is it safe to keep crypto in a hot wallet? For small, active balances and routine DeFi use: yes (with precautions). Large holdings are usually moved to hardware wallets. I believe splitting funds is the practical approach.
- How do I revoke token approvals? Identify the allowance on-chain and submit a transaction to set it to zero, or use a trusted approvals UI. See token approvals & revoke guide.
- What happens if I lose my phone? If you have your seed phrase (recovery phrase), restore on a new device. Without it, recovery is unlikely. See /lost-phone-recovery.
- Can I connect Ledger to MetaMask? Yes — desktop and mobile connection methods exist. See /connect-ledger and /connect-ledger-mobile.
Setup & onboarding (install, restore)
Install the browser extension or mobile app from official sources. Create a wallet and record your seed phrase immediately (paper preferred). Short checklist:
- Install using the extension or mobile guides: /install-metamask-extension or /install-metamask-mobile-app.
- Create a new wallet or restore using your recovery phrase (see /create-restore-wallet).
- Back up your seed phrase offline. Do not email or screenshot it. See /backup-cloud-vs-paper for pros and cons.
And yes — when I first set this up I wrote the phrase on paper and kept it in a locked place. It paid off when I upgraded phones later.
Is it safe to keep crypto in a hot wallet?
Short answer: hot wallets are convenient but expose you to online risks. Longer answer: a non-custodial software wallet stores private keys on your device, which gives you control and responsibility.
Common risks:
- Phishing dApps and malicious contract approvals.
- Malware or compromised devices.
- User error (losing the seed phrase, pasting it into a fake site).
Practical mitigations:
- Keep small, active balances in your hot wallet and move larger sums to a hardware wallet (hardware-wallets-overview).
- Use separate accounts for DeFi activity, staking, and long-term holdings.
- Revoke token approvals you no longer need (token-approvals-revoke).
- Keep your OS, browser, and MetaMask up to date.
But also remember: smart contract bugs exist. Even with careful wallet hygiene, interacting with a risky contract can cost you funds.
How do I revoke token approvals?
Question asked a lot. Here’s the practical route I use.
Step-by-step (general, EVM-compatible chains):
- Find approvals: use an approvals UI or check a block explorer for allowances tied to your address. (This reveals which contracts can move your tokens.)
- Choose a method to revoke:
- Use a reputable approvals interface that lists allowances and offers a Revoke button.
- Or call approve(spender, 0) on the token contract via an explorer's write interface.
- Sign and send the transaction from MetaMask. It will consume gas fees.
- Verify the allowance is now zero on-chain.
Tips from experience: prefer setting specific finite allowances instead of unlimited ones, and sign important revocation transactions with a hardware wallet when possible.
For a deeper walkthrough, see /token-approvals-revoke.
What happens if I lose my phone?
If you lose your phone the key question is: do you have your seed phrase?
- Yes (you have the recovery phrase): install the app or extension on a new device and choose Import using recovery phrase. See /restore-seed-sync and /backup-recovery.
- No (you do not have the recovery phrase): unless you previously exported private keys or used a hardware key, access is likely lost. I’ve spoken with people who lost access this way — it’s irreversible on-chain.
If you used cloud backup options for recovery, consult [/backup-cloud-vs-paper] to understand the trade-offs and how to restore.
Can I connect Ledger to MetaMask?
Yes. MetaMask supports hardware wallets and can act as the UI while the hardware device signs transactions.
Pros: private keys never leave the device. Cons: a small usability trade-off for every signed transaction. In my experience that extra friction is worth it for larger balances.
Mobile vs extension: which to use daily?
- Mobile app: best when you want quick swaps, WalletConnect sessions, and an in-app dApp browser.
- Browser extension: better for multi-tab DeFi workflows, desktop dApp integrations, and developer tools.
If you use both, I recommend distinct accounts for each daily-usage case and a hardware-backed account for savings. See /mobile-desktop-sync and /connect-dapps.
Who is MetaMask best for — and who should look elsewhere
Who this wallet fits:
- EVM-compatible DeFi users who need quick access to protocols on Ethereum and compatible chains.
- People who want a widely supported extension/mobile client for dApps and WalletConnect.
Who might look elsewhere:
- Users focused on non-EVM chains (for example, Solana-heavy workflows) should review chain limitations (solana-limitations).
- Users unwilling to manage a seed phrase or preferring custodial recovery options might prefer a different custody model (this site covers backup options in /backup-cloud-vs-paper).
In my experience, most active DeFi users benefit from the balance of convenience and ecosystem support that MetaMask provides — but the choice depends on your threat model.
Common troubleshooting & quick fixes
- Transaction stuck? Try Speed Up or Cancel in MetaMask, or resend with a higher gas fee. See /gas-fees-eip1559.
- Token not visible? Add the token contract address on the correct network (token-management).
- dApp won't connect? Check network, clear connected sites, or try WalletConnect (connect-walletconnect).
But please: never paste your seed phrase into a website to 'fix' a problem. That step alone has cost people their funds.
Quick reference table
| Question |
Short answer |
Link |
| Is it safe to keep crypto in a hot wallet? |
Safe for daily use with precautions |
Security basics |
| How do I revoke token approvals? |
Set allowance to zero on-chain |
Revoke walkthrough |
| Lost phone — what now? |
Restore with seed phrase or lost access |
Lost phone recovery |
| Can I use Ledger? |
Yes, desktop & mobile supported |
Connect Ledger |
Additional FAQs
Q: How do I cancel a transaction? (Short)
A: Use Cancel or send a replacement tx with the same nonce and higher gas. See /gas-fees-eip1559.
Q: Where are my NFTs? (Short)
A: Ensure you're on the correct network and add the collection contract to view holdings. See /nft-management.
Conclusion & next steps
This metamask faq collects common setup and recovery questions I answer most often. If you want guided setup steps, start with /install-metamask-extension or /install-metamask-mobile-app. For security guidance, read /security-best-practices and consider pairing MetaMask with a hardware wallet (hardware-wallets-overview).
If you have a specific problem, check the linked troubleshooting pages above or the detailed how‑tos. And remember: with self-custody comes responsibility — keep your recovery phrase safe and sign carefully.