How to set up a Brave wallet? (Browser integrated)

Accessing the Brave Wallet Interface

1. Launch the Brave browser on your desktop or mobile device. Ensure you are running version 1.40 or higher, as earlier versions lack full wallet integration.

2. Click the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner of the browser window and select Settings.

3. Navigate to the Wallet section under the Extensions & Wallet category.

4. Toggle the switch to enable the built-in crypto wallet. A prompt will appear requesting confirmation.

5. Confirm activation by clicking Enable Wallet. The wallet will initialize and generate a new Ethereum-compatible address.

Creating a New Wallet Instance

1. After enabling, click Create a new wallet to begin the setup flow.

2. Choose a strong, memorable password that meets minimum length and complexity requirements. This password encrypts your private keys locally.

3. Brave displays a 12-word recovery phrase. Write each word in exact order on physical paper—no digital storage is permitted.

4. Verify the phrase by selecting words in correct sequence from a randomized list presented by the interface.

5. Once verified, the wallet becomes fully operational. Your primary Ethereum address appears alongside balance indicators for ETH and ERC-20 tokens.

Importing Existing Accounts

1. From the wallet dashboard, click the + Add account button located near the address display.

2. Select Import with secret recovery phrase if migrating from another non-custodial wallet.

3. Enter all 12 or 24 words precisely, maintaining original spacing and case sensitivity.

4. Assign a custom label such as “Main ETH” or “Staking Account” to distinguish imported balances visually.

5. Confirm import. The associated balance and transaction history sync automatically via Ethereum node connections managed by Brave.

Managing Tokens and Networks

1. Click the Tokens tab to view default ETH and BAT holdings. Other tokens appear only after receiving assets or manual addition.

2. To add an ERC-20 token, click Add token, then choose Custom token and input its contract address, symbol, and decimals.

3. Switch between Ethereum mainnet, Polygon, and Base networks using the dropdown selector next to the network indicator in the top bar.

4. Each network maintains independent balances and transaction histories. Assets do not auto-transfer across chains.

5. Enable or disable token detection for automatic recognition of known contracts by toggling Auto-detect tokens in advanced settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use my Brave wallet to interact with decentralized applications outside Brave?A: Yes. The wallet exposes standard Ethereum provider interfaces. dApps detect it as MetaMask-compatible when opened in Brave, allowing seamless connection without extension installation.

Q: What happens if I forget my Brave wallet password?A: Recovery relies exclusively on the 12-word phrase. No password reset mechanism exists. Without the phrase, access to funds is permanently lost.

Q: Does Brave store my private keys on its servers?A: No. All cryptographic operations occur locally. Private keys never leave the device. Brave does not possess, transmit, or back up key material.

Q: Can I send Bitcoin using the Brave wallet?A: No. The integrated wallet supports only EVM-compatible blockchains including Ethereum, Polygon, Base, and Arbitrum. Bitcoin requires external wallets like Ledger or Electrum.