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Coinbase Wallet Extension Setup Dapps Connection and Recovery Process Guide

Install the Coinbase Wallet extension directly from the Chrome Web Store or your browser's official add-on marketplace. This step ensures you avoid fraudulent copies. After adding the extension, click its icon in your toolbar and select “Create a new wallet”. The system will generate your unique 12-word recovery phrase.

Write down each word of your recovery phrase in the exact order presented. Use pen and paper, storing it securely offline. This phrase is the only way to restore your wallet and assets. Confirm the phrase by selecting the words when prompted, which finalizes your wallet creation. You can then fund it by transferring crypto from an exchange.

If you need to restore access, open the extension and choose “I already have a wallet”. Enter your 12-word recovery phrase precisely, with spaces between each word. A single typo can lock you out permanently. After successful entry, your wallet will repopulate with all previous addresses and transaction history.

For reconnecting to decentralized applications, visit the DApp's website after restoration. Click the wallet extension icon, usually found in the site's connection interface, and authorize the link. You may need to re-approve token allowances for specific contracts. Always verify the DApp's URL to prevent interacting with phishing sites.

Installing the Coinbase Wallet Extension in Your Browser

Open your Chrome, Brave, or Edge browser and visit the official Chrome Web Store. Search directly for “Coinbase Wallet” to avoid imitation extensions. Confirm the developer is listed as “Coinbase” and check the user rating and review count for legitimacy.

Click the “Add to Chrome” button on the extension's store page. A confirmation dialog will appear; select “Add extension” to begin the installation. The process completes in seconds, and the Coinbase Wallet icon will appear in your browser's toolbar.

Click the new toolbar icon to launch the setup. You will see two clear options: “Create a new wallet” or “I already have a wallet.” Choose “Create a new wallet” if this is your first time. The extension will then generate your unique 12-word recovery phrase.

Write down each word of your recovery phrase in the exact order presented. Use pen and paper, storing it securely offline. This phrase is the only way to restore your assets; never share it or store it digitally. Confirm you have saved it correctly by selecting each word in a verification step.

Finally, set a strong, unique password for your wallet extension. This password encrypts the wallet data on your specific browser and device. After confirmation, your wallet is active and ready to connect to decentralized applications.

Creating a New Self-Custody Wallet from Scratch

Download the Coinbase Wallet extension only from the official Chrome Web Store. Fake extensions are a common method for stealing funds.

After adding the extension to your browser, click its icon and select “Create a new wallet.” The software will generate your unique recovery phrase, which consists of 12 random words.

Write these 12 words down in the exact order they appear. Follow this process without compromise:

Use a pen and durable paper, or a dedicated metal backup tool. Never save the phrase digitally–no screenshots, text files, or cloud notes. Create two copies and store them in separate, secure physical locations.

You will then confirm your phrase by selecting the words in the correct sequence. This step ensures you have a flawless backup. Your wallet is now active, but remains empty until you add crypto assets.

Before connecting to any dapp, take a critical security action: navigate to the extension's settings and establish a strong, unique password. This password encrypts the wallet data stored locally on your device, adding a necessary layer of protection for daily use.

To receive assets, locate your public wallet address. You can find it by clicking “Receive” within the extension. This address, a long string of characters, is safe to share for deposits. Distinguish it clearly from your private recovery phrase, which must never be shared or entered on any website.

Connecting Your Wallet Extension to a DApp

Navigate to your chosen DApp's website and locate its “Connect Wallet” button, typically found in the top right corner of the interface.

Clicking this button opens a connection window. Select “Coinbase Wallet” from the list of provided options. If you don't see it immediately, look for a “WalletConnect” option, which serves as a universal bridge for many extensions.

A pop-up notification from your Coinbase Wallet extension will appear, requesting permission to link. Carefully review the DApp's name and the permissions it asks for, such as viewing your wallet address and sending transaction requests.

Click “Connect” or “Approve” within the extension pop-up to authorize the connection. You will not need to share your private keys or recovery phrase for this process; the connection uses secure cryptographic signatures.

Your wallet address will now appear on the DApp's site, confirming a successful link. You can interact with the DApp's features, but remember, each transaction requires a separate confirmation via your extension.

For security, regularly check your connected applications within the Coinbase Wallet Chrome extension Wallet settings. You can revoke access for any DApp you no longer use from that menu.

Approving Transactions and Managing Permissions

Always inspect the transaction details in the Coinbase Wallet pop-up before you approve. Check the recipient address, the exact token amount, and the network fee (gas). A common scam tactic is to manipulate what you see on a website, but the wallet's own dialog shows the real transaction.

You control what each dapp can access. After connecting, you can review and revoke permissions at any time. Go to your wallet extension, find the “Connected Sites” section, and you'll see a list. From there, you can disconnect any dapp instantly.

Be cautious with token approvals. When a dapp asks for permission to spend your tokens, it often requests an unlimited amount. This is a security risk if the dapp's contract is compromised. Instead, use these steps:

ActionPurposeHow To Do It Set a Spending CapLimits the maximum tokens a dapp can use.Manually adjust the approval amount in the transaction pop-up to only what you need for that session. Revoke Old ApprovalsRemoves access for dapps you no longer use.Visit a permission revoking site like Etherscan's Token Approval Checker, connect your wallet, and revoke unused approvals.

Network fees are required for blockchain transactions. Your wallet will estimate this fee, but you can often adjust the speed. Choosing a lower gas price might save money but will delay the transaction. For urgent actions, a higher fee ensures faster processing.

If a transaction seems stuck, you can speed it up. In your wallet's activity tab, find the pending transaction. The interface usually provides an option to submit it with a higher fee, which helps the network prioritize it.

Remember, a legitimate dapp will never ask for your secret recovery phrase. Transaction approvals only require your password for the wallet extension itself. Keep your phrase completely offline and separate from all dapp interactions.

Using Your Secret Recovery Phrase to Restore Access

Install the Coinbase Wallet extension again if it's missing from your browser.

Click “I already have a wallet” on the initial setup screen. You will see a field to enter your 12-word secret recovery phrase.

Type each word in the exact order you saved them, with a single space between each word. Double-check for spelling errors–this is a common reason restoration fails.

Never enter your phrase into a website, email, or form outside the official wallet extension. The extension itself is the only valid place for these words.

After entering the phrase, your wallet will rebuild itself. This process may take a moment as it synchronizes with the blockchain.

You should see your correct public address and asset balance once restoration is complete. If balances appear incorrect, ensure you selected the right network (like Ethereum Mainnet) to view your assets.

Successfully regaining access confirms your recovery phrase works. Store it more securely this time, such as on a physical metal backup sheet kept in a safe place.

Reconnect your restored wallet to decentralized applications. Visit a dapp's website and use its “Connect Wallet” feature, selecting Coinbase Wallet from the list.

You may need to re-approve specific token allowances for dapps that interact with your funds, as this permission data is not stored in your recovery phrase.

Recovering and Viewing Your DApp Connections

Your DApp connections automatically restore when you recover your wallet using your Secret Recovery Phrase. After importing your 12-word phrase into a new Coinbase Wallet extension, all previous connection permissions will be visible and active.

To view and manage these connections, follow these steps inside your wallet extension:

Click the settings (gear) icon. Select “Connected sites” from the menu. Review the complete list of DApps your wallet has interacted with.

You will see each DApp's name and the date you first connected. This list helps you audit your wallet's activity. If you find a connection you no longer use, click “Disconnect” next to its name. This action revokes the DApp's permission to initiate transactions but does not cancel any existing contracts or allowances.

For token allowances granted to DApps, you need a different tool. Visit a blockchain explorer like Etherscan and connect your wallet. Use the “Token Approvals” tool there to see and revoke specific spending limits you've set for specific tokens.

Regularly checking your connected sites list is a good habit. It helps you maintain a clean and secure wallet profile, ensuring only the applications you currently trust have access.

Q&A: I installed the Coinbase Wallet extension, but my existing wallet isn't showing up. How do I recover it?

You need to use your Secret Recovery Phrase. Open the extension and click “I already have a wallet.” You'll be prompted to enter your 12-word phrase. Type the words in the exact order, with a single space between each word. Ensure you're on the official Chrome Web Store extension page to avoid phishing sites. After entering the phrase, you can create a new password for the extension. This process does not create a new wallet; it restores full access to your existing one and all its assets.

Is it safe to connect the Coinbase Wallet extension to any decentralized app (dapp)?

You should verify each dapp before connecting. While the connection itself is a standard Web3 function, malicious dapps can request excessive permissions. Before approving a connection, check the dapp's URL to confirm it's the official site. Review the transaction details carefully in your wallet pop-up before signing. The extension will show what permissions the dapp is requesting. You can manage or revoke these connections later in your wallet settings under “Connected Sites.”

What's the difference between the extension password and my Secret Recovery Phrase?

They serve different security purposes. Your Secret Recovery Phrase is the master key to your entire wallet and all funds across any device. You use it only for initial setup or recovery. The extension password is a local lock for that specific browser. It protects quick access but does not help recover funds if the phrase is lost. If you forget the password, you can uninstall and reinstall the extension, then use your 12-word phrase to regain access.

After recovering my wallet, some of my tokens aren't visible. Where did they go?

Your funds are safe on the blockchain. The wallet interface may not automatically show every token. Go to the 'Assets' tab within the extension and click 'Import token.' You'll need the token's contract address for the specific network it's on (like Ethereum or Polygon). Find the correct address from a reliable source like the project's official website or a blockchain explorer. After importing, the token balance will appear. This is just a display update, not a transaction.

Can I use the same Coinbase Wallet on my phone and the browser extension?

Yes, you can use the same wallet on both. Recover the wallet on each device using the same Secret Recovery Phrase. Your assets and transaction history will sync because they are reading the same blockchain addresses. Actions taken on one device, like adding a custom token, will not automatically show on the other, as those are local settings. However, your balance and all on-chain activity will be consistent across both.

I installed the Coinbase Wallet extension but can't connect to a dapp. The “Connect” button does nothing. What should I check?

First, ensure the dapp supports the Ethereum network and browser-based wallets. Then, check these common points: 1) Click the extension icon in your browser toolbar and make sure you are logged into your wallet. 2) Verify that the dapp's website is fully loaded. 3) Check if you have a pop-up blocker active; the connection request often appears in a separate pop-up window. Allow pop-ups for the dapp's site. 4) Try refreshing the dapp page. If the issue continues, a conflict with another browser extension, like a security or ad-blocker, might be the cause. Test in a private browsing window with other extensions disabled.

I lost access to my computer. How do I recover my Coinbase Wallet on a new device using the extension's seed phrase?

Your funds and wallet access are secured by your 12-word recovery phrase, not a single device. On your new computer, install the Coinbase Wallet extension again. During setup, select “I already have a wallet.” You will be asked for your recovery phrase. Enter the 12 words in the exact order you saved them, with a single space between each word. This process creates a new instance of your wallet on the extension. All your assets and transaction history will appear because you restored the same cryptographic keys. Never enter your recovery phrase into any website except the official wallet interface during this restoration process.