What is the Coinbase Extension?
The Coinbase Extension is a browser add-on that acts as a bridge between decentralized websites (dApps) and your Coinbase account or wallet features. It provides conveniences like account management, transaction signing, and interaction with supported web3 applications while keeping some actions isolated inside the browser extension for convenience.
Before you begin
Working with browser extensions that handle financial actions requires extra care. The steps below assume you are on a personal device and not a public or shared computer. If you are using a public device, do not follow the setup here — instead complete these steps on a trusted device that you control.
- Use a personal device that you own and keep physically secure.
- Keep your operating system and browser up to date.
- Never share your recovery phrase, private keys, or passwords with anyone.
- Do not paste sensitive information into chat windows, forms you don’t trust, or search fields.
Step 1 — Install the extension
Open your browser’s official extension/add-on store and search for the Coinbase Extension by name. Install the extension only from the official store page presented by the browser (Chrome Web Store, Firefox Add-ons, etc.). After installation, you should see the extension icon near your browser’s address bar.
- Click the extension icon to open the onboarding popup.
- Choose to create a new wallet or connect an existing Coinbase account (if offered by the extension).
- Read the permissions requested by the extension before granting them — extensions should ask only for necessary permissions.
Step 2 — Create or connect safely
If you choose to create a wallet inside the extension, you will see prompts to generate a recovery phrase. This phrase is the only way to recover funds if you lose access — write it down on paper and store it in a safe place. If you prefer not to use an extension wallet, use the extension to connect to a separate hardware wallet for stronger security.
Step 3 — Protect your recovery phrase and keys
Your recovery phrase is extremely sensitive. Follow these rules:
- Write the phrase on paper — do not store it as plain text on your computer or in cloud storage.
- Keep multiple physical copies in separate secure locations if possible.
- Never type the recovery phrase into a website or a chat. If a site asks you to enter your recovery phrase to "restore" or "verify" your account, treat it as a scam attempt.
Step 4 — Using the extension day-to-day
When interacting with dApps, follow these practical steps to reduce risk:
- Confirm the URL of the site you connect to. Phishing sites often mimic real sites with small typos.
- Review transaction details in the extension before approving them — check amounts, token addresses, and gas fees where visible.
- Limit approvals: when a dApp requests permission to spend tokens on your behalf, consider approving only the exact amount needed rather than infinite approvals.
- Use small test transactions the first time you interact with a new dApp to confirm behavior.
Step 5 — Common troubleshooting
If the extension behaves unexpectedly, try these steps in order:
- Restart your browser and try again.
- Confirm the extension is the official one (check the publisher name and permissions).
- Disable other extensions temporarily to check for conflicts.
- Clear the browser cache and reload the page.
Privacy and permissions
The extension may request permission to read data from websites you visit (to interact with dApps). Only grant permissions that are necessary and uncheck any persistent permissions you are not comfortable granting. Review permission settings for the extension inside your browser's extensions management screen.
Best practices & extra tips
Adopting security-minded habits reduces the chance of costly mistakes:
- Use a separate browser profile for web3 activity to reduce cross-contamination from your normal browsing session.
- Consider using a hardware wallet for large balances; many extensions support hardware wallet connections for signing transactions safely.
- Keep a small "hot" wallet for daily interactions and store the majority of funds in a cold wallet offline.
- Regularly review connected sites and revoke access from dApps you no longer use.
This guide is informational and does not constitute financial, legal, or security advice. The Coinbase Extension's features and behavior can change over time. Always refer to the extension's official documentation and support channels for the most current instructions. This article intentionally omits explicit login or password links — do not share sensitive login credentials with anyone. The author and publisher are not responsible for losses resulting from following this guide.
Wrapping up
Getting started with the Coinbase Extension is straightforward when you follow careful setup and security practices. Install from the official store, protect your recovery phrase, use cautious permissions, and consider hardware options for large balances. These measures help you enjoy the convenience of browser-based wallet interactions while keeping risk under control.
If you want a printable version of this guide, copy the article content into a text or document editor and print from your device. Keep that printed copy stored with your other important records.