How to use MetaMask on your mobile phone? How to sync with the browser extension?

Installing the MetaMask Mobile App

1. Open the Apple App Store or Google Play Store on your smartphone.

2. Search for “MetaMask” and verify the developer is ConsenSys.

3. Download and install the official application—avoid third-party clones.

4. Launch the app and tap “Get Started” to begin setup.

5. Choose “Create a New Wallet” if you’re new, or “Import Wallet” if you already have a seed phrase.

6. Carefully write down the 12-word recovery phrase in the exact order shown—never take screenshots or store it digitally.

7. Confirm the phrase by selecting words in sequence to prove ownership and secure access.

Connecting MetaMask Mobile to Hardware Wallets

1. Ensure your hardware wallet (e.g., Ledger or Trezor) supports Ethereum-compatible apps.

2. Enable browser support or Ethereum app on the device firmware through its companion desktop software.

3. In MetaMask Mobile, go to Settings > Security & Privacy > Hardware Wallets.

4. Select your device brand and follow the Bluetooth pairing instructions.

5. Approve transaction signing prompts directly on the hardware device screen.

6. Once linked, accounts appear under “Hardware Wallet Accounts” with balance visibility and send functionality.

Syncing Mobile with Browser Extension

1. Install the MetaMask browser extension on Chrome, Firefox, Brave, or Edge.

2. Open the extension and click “Import Wallet” using the same 12-word seed phrase from your mobile app.

3. Enter the phrase exactly as recorded—case-sensitive and space-sensitive.

4. Set a strong password for local encryption; this does not affect seed phrase security.

5. After import, both devices display identical accounts, balances, and transaction history.

6. Changes made on one interface—like adding a custom RPC or approving a token—propagate instantly to the other via shared seed logic.

Managing Networks and Tokens Across Devices

1. Add Ethereum mainnet, Sepolia testnet, or Arbitrum One manually in Settings > Networks > Add Network.

2. Input network name, RPC URL, chain ID, currency symbol, and block explorer URL precisely.

3. Custom tokens must be added individually on each device unless imported via contract address scanning.

4. Token balances update automatically once the correct contract address and decimals are confirmed.

5. Gas settings can be adjusted separately per device but default to EIP-1559 recommendations unless overridden.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use the same seed phrase on multiple phones?A: Yes, but doing so increases exposure risk—if one device is compromised, all copies become vulnerable.

Q: Why does my mobile app show different gas prices than the browser extension?A: Gas estimation depends on real-time network congestion and local node response time—not synchronization inconsistency.

Q: Is it safe to scan QR codes from decentralized exchange interfaces using MetaMask Mobile?A: Only scan QR codes from verified dApp domains; malicious sites may redirect to phishing contracts disguised as legitimate ones.

Q: What happens if I lose my phone but still have the seed phrase?A: You can fully restore access on any supported device or browser extension using that phrase—no account recovery options exist beyond it.