What is the Coinbase Wallet extension?
The Coinbase Wallet extension is a browser based, self custody crypto wallet from Coinbase for Chrome and Brave. It sits on top of your normal browser, much like an ad blocker, and lets websites ask to connect to your wallet. You approve or reject every connection and every transaction yourself. It’s not the same thing as your Coinbase.com account. Coinbase.com is an exchange where Coinbase holds your crypto for you. With the wallet extension, Coinbase’s own getting started guide says your private keys are stored directly in your browser, so only you control the funds. According to the official help center, Safari and Firefox aren’t supported yet, though Coinbase says it hopes to add them in the future.Which Coinbase Wallet options and wallet types can you use?
Coinbase Wallet comes in a few forms, and the wallet type you pick decides where you can use it. Here’s the short version.- Browser extension: for Chrome and Brave on desktop. Uses a 12 word recovery phrase wallet or a connected Ledger.
- Mobile app: for Android and iPhone, with more sign in options plus trading and payment features.
- Mnemonic wallet: the classic 12 word recovery phrase wallet. It works in both the app and the extension.
- Email or social login wallet: sign up with email, Google or Apple in the mobile app.
- Smart wallet: a passkey based wallet that supports EVM networks only. The help center says the extension doesn’t support it.
- Coinbase.com account: the exchange account. It isn’t a self custody wallet, but you can send funds from it to your wallet.
The extension is built for desktop dapps, while the app covers more wallet types and trading features.
What can you do with the Coinbase Wallet Chrome extension?
The main reason to install the extension is to use dapps from a computer. The Chrome Web Store listing says you can connect to thousands of dapps across Ethereum and EVM compatible networks, trade tokens on decentralized exchanges, collect NFTs and use DeFi apps. For Solana, the listing mentions sending and receiving SOL and SPL tokens. Early versions of the extension needed your phone to approve each transaction. Today it works on its own, so you can sign straight from the browser without confirming anything on mobile. You can also connect a Ledger hardware wallet. That way your keys stay on the device while you browse dapps through the extension, which is a sensible setup if you hold larger amounts.How do you install the Coinbase Wallet extension on Chrome or Brave?
Here’s the setup flow based on Coinbase’s help center. Keep a pen and paper nearby for your recovery phrase.- Open the Chrome Web Store directly by typing chromewebstore.google.com, then search for “Coinbase Wallet extension”. Don’t click ads or random guide sites.
- Check the listing before you install. The developer shown is Toshi Holdings Pte. Ltd, with wallet.coinbase.com as the website.
- Click Add to Chrome, then Add extension. Pin it from the puzzle piece icon in your toolbar so it’s easy to find.
- Open the extension and choose to create a new wallet or use one you already have.
- If prompted, grant the browser permissions. Without them, the extension can’t connect to dapps.
Create a new wallet
- Select Create a new wallet.
- Pick a username. Other users can find you by it, and the help center says you can’t change it later, so choose carefully.
- Write down your 12 word recovery phrase and store it somewhere safe and offline.
- Confirm the phrase when asked.
- Create a password. You will type it each time you open the extension.
Import an existing wallet
You can import an Ethereum based wallet from MetaMask, Trust Wallet or another Coinbase Wallet using its recovery phrase. Importing doesn’t change the original wallet, and your transactions show up in both places.- Select I already have a wallet.
- Choose Enter recovery phrase and type your 12 words.
- Click Import wallet.
- Create a username and password, then click Submit.
Connect a Ledger
Choose I already have a wallet, then Connect Ledger wallet. Open the Ethereum app on your Ledger, approve the request on the device, then sign again to create your username. The extension links to your Ledger’s default account (index 0), so check that the address matches what you expect. You can hold up to three wallets in the extension, including one Ledger with up to 15 addresses. Once you’re set up, fund the wallet by sending crypto from Coinbase.com or another wallet to your extension address, and start with a small test amount.How do you use Coinbase Wallet on Android and iPhone?
The mobile app does more than the extension. Its Google Play listing describes trading across networks like Base, Solana, Robinhood Chain, BNB Chain, Ethereum and Monad, along with perpetual futures and prediction markets. Perpetual futures are only offered to non US users in select places, so what you see depends on where you live. If you already use the extension, you can bring the same wallet to your phone by importing its recovery phrase. App menus change often, so the labels on your screen may look slightly different.- Install Coinbase Wallet from the official App Store or Google Play listing. Check the developer name and avoid lookalike apps.
- To start fresh, sign up with email, Google or Apple. This wallet type can be recovered through your sign in, even if you lose your phone.
- To bring over your extension wallet, tap More options or I already have a wallet, then choose Import Recovery Phrase.
- Turn on App Lock: open Settings from the Assets tab, go to Security Lock and choose when the app should ask for biometrics or a passcode.
- Back up any recovery phrase wallet from Settings, then Backups, either manually or with an encrypted iCloud or Google Drive backup.
Is the Coinbase Wallet extension custodial or non custodial?
The Coinbase Wallet extension is non custodial, which means you hold the keys and Coinbase can’t move your funds. That brings real benefits and one big responsibility.- Full control: Coinbase says it never has access to your recovery phrase and can’t move crypto on your behalf.
- Desktop dapp access: sign transactions in the browser without picking up your phone.
- Easy imports: bring in wallets from MetaMask, Trust Wallet and other Ethereum based wallets.
- Ledger support: keep your keys on a hardware device while still using dapps.
- Free to install: you only pay the normal network fees when you send transactions.
What mistakes should you avoid with the Coinbase Wallet extension?
Most wallet losses come from a few avoidable slips. Here are the ones to watch for.- Typing your recovery phrase into a website, form or chat. Real support staff will never ask for it.
- Installing from an ad, email or DM link. Search results are full of lookalike “Coinbase extension guide” pages, so go straight to the Chrome Web Store.
- Saving your phrase as a screenshot or in cloud notes. Paper or metal stored offline is much harder to steal.
- Approving transactions you don’t understand. Read what the dapp is asking for before you click confirm.
- Signing out before backing up. Coinbase’s troubleshooting page warns that you can’t sign back in without your phrase.
- Sending a big amount first. Do a small test transfer and confirm it arrives.