How to reset MetaMask account? (Clear transaction history)

Understanding Account Reset in MetaMask

1. Resetting a MetaMask account does not delete the private keys or seed phrase tied to the wallet. The wallet’s cryptographic identity remains intact.

2. The reset process clears locally stored transaction history, pending activity, and cached network data from the browser extension or mobile app interface.

3. This action affects only the frontend view — on-chain transactions remain immutable and permanently visible on block explorers like Etherscan.

4. Users retain full control over their assets and addresses; no tokens or NFTs are removed or transferred during the reset.

5. A reset does not alter the wallet’s connection status with dApps or revoke previously approved token allowances.

Steps to Clear Transaction History via Reset

1. Open the MetaMask extension or mobile application and ensure you are logged into the correct wallet.

2. Navigate to Settings → Advanced → Reset Account. On mobile, this is located under Settings → Privacy & Security → Reset Account.

3. Confirm the prompt warning that all transaction history will be removed from the local UI cache.

4. After confirmation, MetaMask reloads the account view with zero visible transactions in the Activity tab.

5. The wallet address remains unchanged, and balances update automatically upon next network sync.

Limitations of the Reset Function

1. Transaction history reappears if the same wallet reconnects to a dApp that caches prior activity.

2. Network-specific data such as gas price estimates or RPC endpoint preferences are not erased by this operation.

3. Custom tokens added manually persist unless individually removed from the Assets list.

4. Browser-based MetaMask retains local storage entries for connected sites even after reset, requiring separate site permission management.

5. Mobile users may notice delayed balance refreshes post-reset due to background sync behavior unique to iOS or Android implementations.

Alternatives to Full Reset

1. Manually hide individual transactions using the “Hide” option next to each entry in the Activity tab.

2. Switch between networks to isolate history — Ethereum Mainnet activity won’t appear when viewing Polygon or Arbitrum tabs.

3. Create a new wallet within the same MetaMask instance to separate transaction contexts without affecting the original seed.

4. Export and re-import the same account using the secret recovery phrase into a fresh MetaMask installation for a clean slate.

5. Use privacy-focused browser profiles to prevent cross-wallet history leakage in desktop environments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does resetting MetaMask remove my ETH or ERC-20 tokens?A: No. All on-chain assets remain fully accessible. Only the UI display of past transfers is cleared.

Q: Can I recover deleted transaction history after resetting?A: Not through MetaMask alone. You must use a blockchain explorer or third-party service like Blockchair to retrieve historical records.

Q: Will dApps I’ve approved still have access after reset?A: Yes. Token approvals and contract interactions stay active on-chain regardless of UI resets.

Q: Is there a way to reset only one network’s history?A: No. MetaMask does not support per-network history deletion. The reset applies globally across all configured chains.