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Okay, here's my top tip - before you mess with your real wallet that has actual ETH or tokens sitting in it, grab a fresh browser or incognito window and install MetaMask there. Practice importing a dummy seed phrase you make up. Why? Because if you fat finger one word in your real 12- or 24-word phrase, poof - your funds are locked out forever. In my experience, this saves like 90% of the panic moments newbies have. Sound familiar? Yeah, I've been there.
Now, what's the deal with importing anyway? You're basically telling MetaMask, "Hey, take over this existing wallet from Trust, Exodus, or wherever." It pulls in all your accounts, balances, NFTs - everything. But only if it's EVM compatible like Ethereum, Polygon, or even Solana now. Bitcoin works too via SRP. Cool, right?
Secret Recovery Phrase (that 12/24-word thing) or Private (a long hex string for one account). SRP is easier for full wallets. Private? Faster for single accounts but riskier - anyone with that owns your stuff.
The thing is, if your old wallet was made with Google or Apple login, this might link 'em up across devices. Don't want that? Use a fresh MetaMask install. Honestly, I always do browser extensions first - mobile syncs later.
Head to the Chrome Web Store (or Firefox, Brave - whatever), search MetaMask, hit install. Pin the fox icon. Boom. Opens up asking "Import wallet?" or "Create new?" We're going import, obviously.
But wait - mobile? App Store or Play Store, download, same deal. I usually start on desktop 'cause screens are bigger for typing phrases. Fees? Nah, importing's free - no gas needed. That's the beauty.
Done? Check your balance. Everything there? Great. If not, switch networks - more on that in a sec. In my experience, Solana imports smooth now, but older phrases might need account selection.
Okay, phone time. Open app, tap your current account (or empty if new).
Pro tip: Scan QR if your old wallet supports it - way faster than typing. But watch for clipboard sniffers, those malware jerks. Why does this matter? Mobile's convenient, but fat thumbs screw up phrases bad.
No full phrase? No prob. Say you got a hot address with some USDC.
It pops right into your list. Gas for first tx? Like 0.001 ETH on mainnet, way less on L2s. Test with 0.01 ETH send first. Always.
Got a .json backup from old MyEtherWallet days?
Rare now, but handy. Password wrong? File's toast - no resets.
Look, importing ain't rocket science, but people mess it. Here's the real talk.
Wrong network showing zero balance? Click the network dropdown (Ethereum Mainnet default). Add Polygon, BSC, whatever your tokens live on. How? Settings → Networks → Add Network. RPC URLs online - paste 'em. Boom, funds appear.
Phrase rejected? "Invalid SRP"? Double check order and spelling. Phrases are case sensitive? Nah, but extras like commas kill it. Copy paste from secure note. I use a metal plate for mine - paper burns.
Missing tokens/NFTs? Hit "Import tokens" at bottom. Search USDC, paste contract address if custom. NFTs in their tab - might need manual add.
And hardware wallets? Ledger/Trezor connect via "Add hardware wallet." Snaps right in, no keys exposed.
| Issue | Quick Fix | Why It Happens |
|---|---|---|
| Balance zero | Switch/add network | Tokens on Polygon, not ETH |
| Import fails | Check phrase order | Word 5 wrong |
| One account only | Select multiple in SRP step | Default first derivation |
| Mobile sync issues | Google/Apple link or fresh install | Account linking |
That table? Saved my butt last week importing a friend's old Trust Wallet. Pretty much covers 95% of headaches.
Wallet's in. Now secure it. Change password if reusing old one. Enable notifications for approvals. I turn on "Alerts" in settings - pings if a dApp wants too much gas.
Fund it? Buy ETH direct in app (fiat ramp, ~1-2% fee) or send from Coinbase. Gas now? Mainnet ~5-20 gwei, or hop to Base for 0.0001 ETH txs.
Switch accounts easy - circle dropdown. Add accounts? "Create account" for new ones under same SRP. Multiple wallets? "Add wallet" for separate ones.
Oh, and dark mode? Settings → Appearance. Makes eyes happy at 2 AM trading.
Trust Wallet to MetaMask? Export SRP from Trust (Settings → Wallets → + → Show Secret Phrase). Paste into MetaMask import. Same for Exodus, Rainbow. Balances match instantly.
But Solana? Private only for single accounts, SRP for full. Bitcoin SRP too - wild, right? EVM chains auto detect.
In my experience, cross chain stuff shines here. Got ETH on Arbitrum? Imports, just switch nets.
Now you got 5 accounts? Rename 'em: Click account → Details → Edit. Group by network or purpose - "Gambling ETH," "HODL BTC."
Switch fast: Dropdown or pin favorites. Mobile? Swipe or selector.
Import: 0 fees. First send? Ethereum mainnet: 0.001-0.005 ETH gas (~$3-15 at $3k ETH). L2 like Optimism: 0.0001 ETH. Solana: ~0.000005 SOL per tx. Swaps in app? 0.3% + gas.
Buy crypto? In app ramp: 1.5% fee on $100 buy. Or bridge from CEX - cheaper long term.
What's next? Bridge assets? Use official bridges. Never "free" ones - scams.
Send 0.001 ETH to yourself. Approve a fake dApp (like MetaMask testnet). Swap tiny USDT. If it works, you're golden. Issues? Revoke permissions in Settings → Security → Approvals.
I usually wait 10 mins post import, check Etherscan for your address. Confirms balances real time.
One more: Backup SRP again. Print, metal engrave, split 2-2-2 with fam. Lose it? Wallet gone forever. Harsh truth.
Snapshots? Hardware connect for signing without keys. Multiple profiles? Incognito + different passwords.
Custom tokens: Import → paste contract (e.g. UNI: 0x1f9840a85d5aF5bf1D1762F925BDADdC4201F984). NFTs auto if OpenSea standard.
And multisig? Not native, but Gnosis Safe imports via private. Next level.
Honestly, once imported, MetaMask feels like home. Connect to Uniswap, approve, swap. Gas estimates pop up - always double check.
Stuck still? Fresh install, import again. Worst case, export private keys from old wallet one by one. Tedious, but works.
© 2026 Della Group. All Rights Reserved.