Coinbase wallet extension setup dapps recovery guide

Coinbase Wallet recovery phrase Wallet Extension Setup Dapps Access and Account Recovery Steps

Install the Coinbase Wallet extension directly from the Chrome Web Store or your browser’s official add-on marketplace. This step ensures you get the legitimate software, protecting your assets from counterfeit extensions designed to steal recovery phrases.

Once installed, click the extension icon and select “Create new wallet.” The wallet will generate a unique 12-word recovery phrase. Write these words down in exact order on paper and store them offline. This phrase is the only way to restore your wallet; losing it means losing access to your funds permanently. The extension will ask you to confirm these words immediately to verify your backup.

With your wallet active, you can connect to decentralized applications. Visit a DApp’s website, like Uniswap or OpenSea, and look for a “Connect Wallet” button. Click it, choose Coinbase Wallet from the list, and approve the connection request in the extension pop-up. This grants the DApp permission to interact with your public address for transactions, without ever handing over your private keys or recovery phrase.

If you need to recover your wallet on a new device, open the extension and choose “I already have a wallet.” Enter your 12-word recovery phrase precisely. A single typo or incorrect word order will fail. After entering the phrase, you can set a new password for the local extension, regaining full access to your assets and transaction history on the blockchain.

Installing the Coinbase Wallet Browser Extension

Visit the official Chrome Web Store or Firefox Add-ons website directly from your browser. Search for “Coinbase Wallet” and confirm the developer is listed as “Coinbase, Inc.” to avoid fraudulent copies.

Click the Add to Chrome or Add to Firefox button. The browser will prompt you to confirm the installation; approve this request to begin adding the extension to your toolbar.

Once installed, locate the new Coinbase Wallet icon near your browser’s address bar and click it. You will see two clear options: Create a new wallet or Import an existing wallet. Choose the path that fits your situation.

If you are setting up a new wallet, the extension will generate a unique 12-word secret recovery phrase. Write these words down in the exact order on paper and store them securely. This phrase is the only way to restore your assets if you lose access.

You will then confirm several of these words to verify you recorded them correctly. After this, create a strong, unique password for your wallet extension. This password protects access on this specific device.

The extension is now ready. Pin it to your toolbar for easy access by clicking the puzzle icon and selecting the pin next to Coinbase Wallet. You can now connect to decentralized applications and manage your crypto assets directly from your browser.

Creating a New Wallet or Importing an Existing One

Open the Coinbase Wallet extension and click “Create new wallet” if this is your first time. You will immediately see a 12-word recovery phrase. Write these words down in the exact order on paper and store them securely; this phrase is the only way to restore your funds if you lose access.

Never share your recovery phrase with anyone. Coinbase will never ask for it. After confirming you’ve saved the phrase, you’ll verify it by selecting the words in the correct sequence. This step ensures you have a proper backup.

To import an existing wallet, select “I already have a wallet” and choose “Recovery phrase.” Carefully enter your 12-word phrase. Double-check each word for spelling errors and the correct order. A single mistake will prevent access.

For wallets from other services, the import process is identical: use the 12 or 24-word seed phrase from your previous wallet. This action grants you full control over those assets within the Coinbase Wallet interface. Once imported, your existing balances and transaction history will become visible.

After setup, whether new or imported, immediately assign a strong, unique password to lock your extension. This password protects access on your current device, while your recovery phrase secures your assets everywhere.

Connecting the Extension to a Decentralized Application

Open the decentralized application you want to use in your browser. Look for a “Connect Wallet” button, typically in the top right corner of the application’s interface.

Clicking “Connect Wallet” will bring up a selection menu of different wallet providers. Choose “Coinbase Wallet” from this list. The browser will then trigger a connection request to your Coinbase Wallet extension.

Check for a notification pop-up from the Coinbase Wallet extension. This pop-up will show the details of the connection request, including the specific DApp’s name and the network it operates on.

Review the permissions requested by the DApp. A standard connection request asks to view your wallet address, but some applications may request additional access. Confirm the details are correct and click “Connect” within the extension pop-up to approve.

After approval, you will see your public wallet address displayed on the DApp’s site, confirming a successful link. The DApp can now read your address to show balances or prepare transactions, but it cannot move your funds without your explicit signature for each action.

Action on DApp
Your Required Step

Connecting your account
Approve the one-time connection request in the extension pop-up.

Signing a message or login
Verify and sign the message in the extension; this does not spend crypto.

Sending a transaction (e.g., swap, mint)
Review all transaction details (amount, gas fee, recipient) in the extension pop-up and click “Confirm”.

If a transaction pop-up does not appear, click the extension icon in your browser’s toolbar. Pending actions often queue there for your review. Always validate transaction details in this secure pop-up, not on the DApp’s website, to avoid malicious interfaces.

To disconnect, visit the DApp’s website and find the connected account section. Click “Disconnect” there, or use your wallet extension’s “Connected Sites” settings to manually revoke access for that specific application.

Approving Transactions and Managing DApp Permissions

Always read the transaction details on the confirmation pop-up before you approve. This screen shows the exact amount, network fee, and recipient address. A mismatch here is the primary sign of a malicious request.

Treat DApp connection requests with similar caution. When a site asks to connect your wallet, the extension displays the permission level. “View only” access is safe, but “can spend any asset” requires your trust in that application.

Regularly review and revoke unnecessary permissions. Visit the ‘Connected Apps’ section within your Coinbase Wallet settings. You will see a list of all authorized DApps and can sever any connection with one click. Do this monthly for accounts you no longer use.

Set spending caps for specific contracts when possible. Some DeFi applications allow you to limit the amount a smart contract can spend from your wallet. Use this feature to minimize potential losses if a protocol has a vulnerability.

Verify the website URL every time. Phishing sites mimic legitimate DApp addresses. Bookmark trusted sites and never follow links from unsolicited messages or social media posts to interact with your wallet.

For high-value transactions, conduct a small test send first. Transfer a minimal amount to confirm the address and network behavior are correct, then proceed with the full amount. This practice adds a layer of security against address spoofing.

Using a Secret Recovery Phrase to Restore Access

Install the Coinbase Wallet extension again if it’s missing. Select “I already have a wallet” when prompted to begin the restoration process.

You will see a field to enter your Secret Recovery Phrase. Type or paste all 12 words in the exact order you saved them. Pay close attention to:

Correct spelling for each word.

A single space between words–no commas or extra spaces.

The precise sequence; the phrase is useless if words are out of order.

After entering the phrase, you will be asked to create a new password for your extension. This password encrypts the wallet data on this specific device. While the recovery phrase restores your assets, this new password is needed for daily access from this browser.

The wallet will then reconnect to the blockchain. Your entire asset balance, transaction history, and custom token list will reappear. This process can take a moment.

Finally, you must manually reconnect to any decentralized applications. Visit the dapp’s website and look for the “Connect Wallet” button. Choose Coinbase Wallet from the list and approve the connection request in the extension pop-up. You will need to repeat this step for each dapp you use.

Store your recovery phrase more securely after this restoration. Consider a metal backup plate stored separately from your primary digital copy to protect against both digital failure and physical damage.

Q&A:

I installed the Coinbase Wallet extension but it’s not connecting to a dapp. What should I check first?

First, ensure the dapp supports the Coinbase Wallet. Then, check that the extension is unlocked and on the correct network. Many dapps operate on the Ethereum Mainnet. If your wallet shows a different network like Polygon or Arbitrum, the connection will fail. Click the extension icon, verify the network displayed at the top, and switch it if needed. Also, confirm your browser hasn’t blocked the pop-up window that requests the connection.

How do I recover my wallet into the extension using my seed phrase?

Open the extension and click “I already have a wallet.” You will be asked for your 12-word recovery phrase. Enter the words in the exact order, with a single space between each word. Double-check for typos. This process creates a new digital access point to your existing wallet and funds. Your assets are not stored in the extension; they are on the blockchain. The phrase grants access, so never share it and only enter it on the official Coinbase Wallet site.

Is my recovery phrase stored by the Coinbase extension or browser?

No. The Coinbase Wallet extension does not store your recovery phrase on its servers or in your browser’s plain data. It is encrypted and stored locally on your device. This means you are solely responsible for its security. If you clear your browser data or use a different computer, you will need the phrase to regain access. Write it down on paper and keep it safe. Digital copies are vulnerable to hacking.

Can I use the same recovery phrase on the mobile app and the browser extension?

Yes. Your 12-word recovery phrase works across compatible wallets. You can use it to access the same wallet account from the Coinbase Wallet mobile app and the browser extension simultaneously. This syncs your assets and transaction history across devices because both point to the same blockchain address. Adding the extension is like adding another door to the same vault.

After recovery, my wallet shows zero balance. Are my funds gone?

Your funds are likely safe. This usually means the extension is connected to the wrong blockchain network. For example, if your assets are on the Ethereum network but the wallet is set to view the Polygon network, it will show a zero balance. Click the extension icon, check the network listed, and switch to the one where you hold assets. Also, verify you recovered the correct wallet address by comparing it with a previous record.

I installed the Coinbase Wallet extension but I can’t see my existing wallet. How do I recover or import it?

You need to use the “Import an existing wallet” feature during setup. Do not choose “Create a new wallet.” You will be asked for your Secret Recovery Phrase (a 12-word list). Enter all words in the exact order, with a single space between each word. This phrase restores your wallet, including all assets and connected DApp histories. Never enter this phrase on any website, only directly into the official extension’s recovery field.