How to set up a Phantom wallet for Solana?

Installing the Phantom Browser Extension

1. Navigate to the official Phantom website at phantom.app using a Chromium-based browser such as Chrome, Edge, or Brave.

2. Click the “Download” button and select the appropriate version for your browser.

3. Confirm the installation prompt in your browser’s extension manager.

4. Once installed, the Phantom fox icon appears in the top-right corner of the browser window.

5. Click the icon to launch the setup wizard and begin wallet creation.

Creating a New Wallet

1. Choose “Create a new wallet” on the welcome screen.

2. Enter and confirm a strong password—this is required to unlock the wallet each time it's used.

3. Write down the 12-word recovery phrase in the exact order displayed; store it offline and never share it.

4. Re-enter the seed phrase in the correct sequence to verify memorization and secure backup.

5. After successful verification, the wallet interface loads with a newly generated Solana public address.

Connecting to Solana Mainnet

1. By default, Phantom connects to the Solana mainnet beta. No manual RPC configuration is needed for standard usage.

2. Access network settings via the gear icon in the top-right corner of the wallet popup.

3. Confirm that “Mainnet Beta” is selected under the Network dropdown menu.

4. If previously switched to Devnet or Testnet, toggle back to Mainnet Beta to interact with live tokens and dApps.

5. A green indicator next to the network name confirms active connection status.

Receiving SOL and Tokens

1. Click the “Receive” button inside the wallet interface to display your Solana public address.

2. Copy the address manually or use the clipboard icon—ensure no extra spaces are included.

3. Paste the address into the withdrawal field of an exchange or another wallet supporting Solana.

4. Confirm transaction details before sending; SOL transfers typically settle in under one second.

5. Tokens like USDC, BONK, or RAY appear automatically once sent to your address if they’re SPL-compatible and supported by Phantom’s token list.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I import an existing Solana private key into Phantom?Yes. During wallet setup, select “Import wallet” instead of “Create new wallet,” then paste your 64-character private key in the designated field.

Q: Why does Phantom show zero balance after receiving SOL?This may occur if the transaction hasn’t confirmed yet, or if the wallet is connected to the wrong network. Check block explorers like solscan.io using your address to verify on-chain activity.

Q: Is it safe to use Phantom on mobile devices?The Phantom mobile app is officially supported and uses the same cryptographic standards as the browser extension. Always download it from phantom.app or official app stores—not third-party links.

Q: What happens if I lose my 12-word recovery phrase?You will permanently lose access to all assets stored in that wallet. Phantom cannot recover or reset it. There is no centralized authority or customer support channel capable of restoring lost phrases.