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Coinbase Wallet Extension Setup Dapps Connection and Recovery Steps

Install the Coinbase Wallet extension directly from the Chrome Web Store to ensure you get the authentic software. This step protects you from phishing sites offering malicious copies. After adding the extension to your browser, click its icon and select "Create new wallet." You will generate a unique 12-word recovery phrase–this is your master key.
Write down each word in its exact order on paper and store it securely; a digital screenshot is unsafe. The wallet will ask you to confirm these words immediately. This phrase is the only way to restore your assets if you lose access to your device, so its security is non-negotiable.
With your wallet active, you can connect to decentralized applications. Visit a DApp website like Uniswap or OpenSea and look for a "Connect Wallet" button. Select Coinbase Wallet from the list; a prompt will appear in the extension for you to confirm the connection. This link allows the DApp to interact with your funds without ever holding your private keys.
Should you need to recover your wallet on a new computer, install the extension again and choose "I already have a wallet." Enter your 12-word phrase precisely. A single misplaced word can lock you out permanently. After verification, your complete portfolio–tokens, collectibles, and transaction history–will be fully restored and ready for use.
Installing the Coinbase Wallet Extension in Your Browser

Visit the official Chrome Web Store or Firefox Browser Add-ons site directly from your browser. Search for "Coinbase Wallet" to ensure you get the correct extension published by "Coinbase, Inc." and not an imitation.
Click the "Add to Chrome" or "Add to Firefox" button on the extension's store page. Your browser will show a confirmation prompt detailing the permissions the extension requires; review these and confirm the installation. The process takes only a few seconds.
Once installed, the Coinbase Wallet icon will appear in your browser's toolbar. Click this icon to launch the setup. You will choose between creating a new wallet or importing an existing one using a recovery phrase. For a new wallet, the extension will generate a unique 12-word recovery phrase for you.
Write down this phrase on paper and store it securely. The extension will ask you to verify the phrase by selecting the words in the correct order. This step confirms your backup and is mandatory–you cannot skip it.
After verification, set a strong, unique password for your wallet extension. This password encrypts the wallet data on your specific browser and device, adding a local layer of security for your access.
Your wallet is now ready. The extension's main interface shows your public address, which you can copy to receive crypto or connect to decentralized applications. You can pin the extension icon for even quicker access to your assets and dapps.
Creating a New Self-Custody Wallet from Scratch

Download the Coinbase Wallet extension only from the official Chrome Web Store. Click "Add to Chrome" and confirm the installation. Once added, look for the new Coinbase Wallet icon in your browser's toolbar.
Click the icon and select "Create new wallet." The software will generate a unique 12-word secret recovery phrase. This phrase is your wallet; anyone with these words controls your assets. Coinbase Wallet does not store this phrase for you.
Write each word down in the exact order presented on a durable material like metal or paper. Store this physical copy in a secure, offline location. Do not save it digitally–no screenshots, text files, or cloud notes.
You will immediately verify the phrase by selecting the words in the correct sequence. This step ensures you have a proper backup. After verification, establish a strong, unique password for encrypting the wallet's local data on your browser.
Your new wallet is now active. Before transferring significant funds, send a small test transaction to your new wallet address. Confirm you can send it back out. This verifies you fully control the address and have backed up the recovery phrase correctly.
For interacting with decentralized applications, your wallet will request connection approvals. Each transaction requires your explicit confirmation via a pop-up. Always check the details, like the contract address and gas fees, before approving.
Importing an Existing Wallet Using a Secret Recovery Phrase

Prepare your 12 or 24-word recovery phrase before you start. Have it written down and ensure you are in a private space where no one can see your screen.
Open the Coinbase Wallet extension and click "I already have a wallet." Select the option to restore using a recovery phrase. You will see a field to enter your words.
Type each word in the exact order, with a single space between them. Double-check for these common errors:

• Correct spelling of each word.
• No extra spaces at the beginning or end.
• The phrase is in the precise original sequence.

After entering the phrase, you will be prompted to create a new, strong password for your extension access. This password encrypts the wallet on this device; it is different from your recovery phrase but equally necessary for daily use.
Once confirmed, your wallet will load. Verify that the public address displayed matches the one from your original wallet. A quick way to check is by comparing the first and last few characters.
Importing with a recovery phrase does not automatically add custom tokens you previously owned. You must manually re-add the contract addresses for any custom or lesser-known assets in the "Assets" tab to make them visible again.
For security, never store your recovery phrase digitally. After confirming your wallet is restored and fully accessible, securely store your physical backup. The extension is now ready to interact with dapps.
Connecting Your Wallet to a Decentralized Application (DApp)

Open your DApp in a standard web browser like Chrome or Brave, ensuring you are on the correct website to avoid scams.
Locate and click the "Connect Wallet" button, typically found in the top-right corner of the DApp's interface.
A connection pop-up will appear, listing various wallet options. Select "Coinbase Wallet" from this menu.
Your Coinbase Wallet extension will automatically trigger a connection request. Carefully review the permissions the DApp is asking for, such as your public address and network access.
Click "Confirm" or "Connect" within the extension's prompt to authorize the link. The DApp interface will update, now displaying your connected public address and balance.
For initial connections, some DApps may require you to switch networks. Confirm the transaction in your extension if prompted to add the correct network like Arbitrum or Polygon.
You can manage connected sites later by opening your Coinbase Wallet extension, clicking the settings icon, and selecting "Connected Sites" to review or revoke access.
Approving Transactions and Interacting with DApp Functions

Always examine the transaction details in the Coinbase Wallet pop-up before you approve. This screen shows the network fee, the total amount in cryptocurrency, and the recipient's address.
Check the requested permission level if a DApp asks for token access. An "unlimited" approval lets the contract move an indefinite number of your tokens, while a specific amount limits risk. Revoke unnecessary approvals later in your wallet's settings under 'Permissions'.
Confirm you are on the correct blockchain network. A DeFi protocol on Polygon will fail if your wallet is set to Ethereum Mainnet; switch networks directly within the DApp's interface or your wallet extension.
Simulate complex transactions first. Many DApps provide a "preview" or "simulate" button to show expected outcomes without spending gas. Use this to catch errors in swap amounts or liquidity provision details.
Keep a small amount of the network's native currency for fees. Every action requires gas, paid in ETH on Ethereum, MATIC on Polygon, or similar. Running out will cause transactions to stall.
Signing a message is not a transaction. Some DApps request a signature to verify wallet ownership; this action is free and does not broadcast to the blockchain, but only sign messages from trusted sites.
If a transaction seems stuck, you can speed it up. In your wallet's activity tab, find the pending transaction; the interface may offer an option to increase the gas fee for faster processing.
Locating and Securing Your Secret Recovery Phrase

Write down your 12-word recovery phrase the instant Coinbase Wallet generates it. The extension shows this phrase only once during setup.
Find this phrase later by opening the extension, clicking the Settings icon, and selecting Show Secret Recovery Phrase. You must re-enter your password to view it.
Use a physical medium for recording. A metal backup plate resists fire and water damage far better than paper. Store this backup in a locked, private location like a safe.
Never store your phrase digitally. Avoid saving it in text files, note-taking apps, email, or screenshots. These methods are vulnerable to malware and online breaches.
Treat the phrase as your actual wallet, not just a password. Anyone who sees these words can take your assets without needing your password or the extension.
Keep your phrase completely offline. This isolation from internet-connected devices provides the strongest defense against remote attacks.
Verify the accuracy of your written phrase. One incorrect or out-of-order word will lock you out of your wallet and any funds inside it.
Consider splitting your phrase for added security. Divide the 12 words between two secure physical locations, ensuring you need both parts to reconstruct the full phrase.
Inform a trusted family member about the backup location. Without sharing the phrase itself, provide enough guidance so they can access it if you are unavailable.
Your recovery phrase is the only way to restore access if you lose your device or forget your password. Its security determines the safety of your digital assets.
Restoring Wallet Access on a New Device or After Uninstall

Locate your 12-word Secret Recovery Phrase immediately; this is the only way to restore your wallet. You wrote it down during the initial Coinbase Wallet setup and stored it securely offline.
Install the Coinbase Wallet extension on your new browser or device. Open the welcome screen and select "I already have a wallet." You will be prompted to enter your Secret Recovery Phrase.
Type each word in the exact order, with a single space between them. Double-check for spelling errors before proceeding. The system is case-insensitive, so lowercase is fine.
DoDo Not
Enter words in the precise sequence.Share the phrase with anyone or input it on websites.
Store the phrase on paper or a metal backup.Store it digitally, like in a screenshot or text file.
Verify the wallet address matches your old one after recovery.Assume assets are lost if you see a zero balance; check for the correct network.
After entering the phrase, you can set a new password for the extension. This password only encrypts the extension on this specific device; your Recovery Phrase remains the master key.
Once restored, your wallet will automatically connect to previously used dApps when you visit their sites. You may need to manually reconnect or re-approve connections on some platforms. Your transaction history and address book contacts will repopulate as you use the wallet.
If you cannot find your Recovery Phrase, access is permanently lost. Coinbase cannot retrieve it for you. For future security, consider using a hardware wallet as a companion to your restored software wallet for signing transactions.
Q&A:

I installed the Coinbase Wallet extension but can't connect to a dapp. What are the most common fixes?

First, ensure the dapp supports the Ethereum network and wallet connections. Then, check these points in your browser: 1) Confirm the extension is active and unlocked. 2) Click the extension icon and see if you're on the correct network (many dapps require Ethereum Mainnet). 3) Try refreshing the dapp's page. 4) Clear your browser cache for that site. If it fails, a common solution is to revoke the dapp's connection. Open your wallet extension, go to Settings > Connected Sites, find the dapp, and disconnect it. Return to the dapp and try connecting again, which usually triggers a fresh connection prompt.
How do I properly back up my Coinbase Wallet extension before using it with dapps?

Backing up is a one-time critical step. After creating your wallet, the extension will show a 12-word secret recovery phrase. Write these words down in the exact order on paper. Do not save it digitally—no screenshots, emails, or text files. Store the paper securely. This phrase is the only way to restore your wallet and all assets within it, including those held in dapps, if your computer fails or the extension is removed. Confirm you've saved it correctly by logging out and using the phrase to restore your wallet immediately as a test.
My computer crashed. How do I get my wallet and dapp assets back on a new device?

You need your 12-word recovery phrase. Install the Coinbase Wallet extension on the new browser. Instead of creating a new wallet, select "I already have a wallet." You will be asked for your recovery phrase. Enter the words in the correct sequence. The extension will rebuild your entire wallet, including your Ethereum address, all crypto balances, and your transaction history. Your dapp connections themselves are not stored in the wallet; you will need to revisit each dapp and reconnect your wallet using the restored address.
Is my recovery phrase the same as my wallet password?

No, they serve completely different functions. Your password only locks and unlocks the Coinbase Wallet extension on that specific browser and device. It protects local access. The 12-word recovery phrase is the master key to your entire wallet on the blockchain. It generates all your addresses and private keys. If you forget your password, you can uninstall and reinstall the extension and use your recovery phrase to regain access. If you lose your recovery phrase, you cannot recover your funds if the local extension data is lost, even if you know the password.
I connected my wallet to a dapp and now I'm worried about security. What should I monitor?

Regularly check your connected sites and token allowances. In the wallet extension, go to Settings > Connected Sites to see a list. Disconnect any you no longer use. For deeper checks, use a blockchain explorer like Etherscan. Paste your wallet address into the site and look at the "Token Approvals" section. This shows which smart contracts have spending permissions for your tokens. If you see an approval you don't recognize or no longer need from an old dapp, you can revoke it using a dedicated revocation site, which requires a small gas fee. This limits a dapp's ability to move your assets.