This guide is part of the wallet series. For the full wallet hub covering setup guides, comparisons, recovery help, and wallet types, start there.

If you want to check terms while you set things up, the Markets Unplugged crypto glossary covers seed phrase, private key, gas fees, and more in plain English.
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Related Phantom guides
↗ Lost phone recovery ↗ Fees explained ↗ Phantom vs Solflare vs MetaMask ↗ Hardware vs software wallet ↗ Bitcoin's January range signal
Quick Answer

Phantom Wallet is a self-custody wallet for Solana and other supported networks including Bitcoin. To download and set up Phantom: visit phantom.app, install the official browser extension or mobile app, create a new wallet, set a password, and back up your 12-word recovery phrase offline. You can also use seedless login with Apple or Google plus a PIN. Never share your recovery phrase and always install from official sources only.

Key points
Phantom is self-custodial. Your keys stay with you, not on an exchange.
Supported networks include Solana, Ethereum, Base, Polygon, Sui, Monad, Bitcoin, and HyperEVM.
Seedless login uses Apple or Google plus a PIN. No seed phrase required.
The extension works on Chrome, Firefox, Brave, and Edge. The app works on iOS and Android.
Most beginner losses come from phishing links, fake apps, and careless approvals, not wallet failures.

What Is Phantom Wallet?

Phantom Wallet is a self-custody crypto wallet originally built for Solana that has expanded to support multiple blockchains. Self-custody means you own your private keys. No exchange or third party holds your funds or can freeze them.

It is available as a browser extension for desktop and as an app for iOS and Android. It supports sending, receiving, swapping, staking, and connecting to DeFi apps and NFT platforms across all supported networks.

Supported networks in 2026: Solana, Ethereum, Base, Polygon, Sui, Monad, Bitcoin, and HyperEVM.

  • Fast and lightweight as a browser extension or mobile app
  • Integrated token swaps with no external exchange needed
  • NFT viewing and management built in
  • SOL staking directly inside the wallet
  • Seedless login option for beginners
  • Hardware wallet compatibility for advanced users

How To Download Phantom Wallet

This is the most important step to get right. Fake Phantom extensions and apps are common and are one of the main ways users lose funds.

The only safe download sources are:
Official website: phantom.app · Chrome Web Store (publisher: Phantom) · Firefox Add-ons · Apple App Store (developer: Phantom Labs) · Google Play Store

Never install Phantom from a link sent in a DM, an email, a Telegram message, or a sponsored ad. Never install from any site other than the official sources listed above.

How To Install the Phantom Wallet Chrome Extension

The Chrome extension is the most widely used version of Phantom for desktop users.

1
Open the Chrome Web Store

Open Chrome and go to the Chrome Web Store. Search for "Phantom Wallet".

2
Verify the publisher

Click on the Phantom result and verify the publisher shows as "Phantom" before installing. Check the review count and rating to confirm it is the genuine listing.

3
Add to Chrome

Click "Add to Chrome" and confirm the installation prompt.

4
Pin the extension

Click the puzzle piece icon in your Chrome toolbar and pin the Phantom extension for easy access.

5
Open and begin setup

Click the Phantom icon to open it and begin setup. Phantom also supports Firefox, Brave, and Edge through each browser's official extension store.

How To Set Up Phantom Wallet on Desktop

Once installed, the setup process takes about 3 minutes.

1
Open Phantom

Click the Phantom icon in your browser toolbar. On first open you will see two options: create a new wallet or import an existing one. If this is your first Phantom wallet, select "Create a new wallet".

2
Set a password

Choose a strong password. This password protects your wallet on this specific device. It is not your recovery method. If you forget it and need to restore on a new device, you need your seed phrase, not this password.

3
Back up your recovery phrase

Phantom will show you a 12-word recovery phrase. Write all 12 words on paper in the correct order. Store it somewhere private and secure. Do not screenshot it. Do not type it into any app, note, or cloud document. Do not share it with anyone.

4
Confirm your recovery phrase

Phantom will ask you to confirm the phrase by selecting words in order. This confirms you have written it down correctly.

5
Your wallet is ready

Your wallet address is now active and ready to receive funds. Before depositing any significant amount, copy your wallet address and confirm it appears correctly in the wallet interface.

Critical: If you lose your recovery phrase and lose access to your device, your funds cannot be recovered by anyone including Phantom. There is no reset option.
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How To Set Up Phantom Wallet on Mobile

1
Download the official app

Download the Phantom app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Search "Phantom" and verify the developer is Phantom Labs before installing.

2
Create a new wallet

Open the app and tap "Create a new wallet".

3
Enable biometric authentication

Enable Face ID or fingerprint authentication when prompted. This adds a device-level security layer.

4
Back up your recovery phrase

Write it down offline. No screenshots, no cloud storage, no sharing. Same rules apply as desktop.

5
Confirm the phrase and finish

Confirm the phrase and your wallet is ready.

Seedless Login: How To Set Up Phantom Without a Seed Phrase

Seedless login is designed for beginners who find seed phrases intimidating. Instead of a 12-word phrase, you sign up using Apple, Google, or email plus a 4-digit PIN.

How to set up seedless login

Select the seedless option during wallet creation. Choose your sign-in method: Apple ID, Google account, or email. Set a 4-digit PIN. Your wallet is created and linked to that sign-in method and PIN combination.

What to know before choosing seedless: Recovery depends on your sign-in method and PIN both remaining accessible. If you lose your device, forget your PIN, and no longer have access to your original Apple or Google account, recovery is not possible. For anything holding significant value, a seed phrase wallet gives you more direct control over recovery.

How To Open and Use Phantom Wallet

Once set up, the main actions in Phantom are straightforward.

Depositing funds

Open Phantom and click or tap "Deposit". Select the blockchain you want to receive on (Solana, Ethereum, Base, Bitcoin, etc.). Copy your wallet address or scan the QR code and share it with the sender or use it to withdraw from an exchange.

Always confirm you are copying the correct address for the correct network. Sending Ethereum to your Solana address will result in lost funds.

Sending crypto

Click or tap "Send". Paste the recipient address. Select the token and amount. Review the network fee shown before confirming. Send a small test amount first when sending to a new address for the first time.

Swapping tokens

Phantom has integrated swaps. Click "Swap", select the tokens you want to swap from and to, review the fee and rate shown, and confirm. Phantom charges a 0.85% fee on select swap pairs. See the Phantom fees guide for a full breakdown.

Connecting to apps

When a DeFi app or NFT platform asks to connect your wallet, Phantom will show a connection request. Review what permissions the site is requesting before accepting. Only connect to sites you trust and have accessed via their official URL.

Phantom Wallet Desktop vs Mobile

Feature Desktop Extension Mobile App
Chrome support✓—
Firefox support✓—
Brave support✓—
iOS support—✓
Android support—✓
Biometric login—✓
Gasless swaps (Solana)—✓
DeFi app accessFullFull
NFT management✓✓

Is Phantom Wallet Safe?

Phantom is a reputable, widely used self-custody wallet. Your keys are held by you, not by Phantom. The wallet itself does not hold your funds.

Safety in practice depends almost entirely on how you use it. The most common causes of loss are:

  • Installing fake Phantom extensions from unofficial sources
  • Entering a seed phrase on a phishing site disguised as Phantom
  • Approving malicious transactions without reading them carefully
  • Storing seed phrases digitally where they can be accessed or leaked
Core safety rules: Install only from official sources. Never share your seed phrase. Never enter it on any website. Read every transaction approval before confirming. Test with small amounts when using a new app for the first time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Go to phantom.app and install the official browser extension or download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Never install from third-party links, ads, or DMs.
Install the official Phantom extension or app, select "Create a new wallet", set a password, write down your 12-word recovery phrase on paper and store it offline, confirm the phrase, and your wallet is ready.
Yes. Phantom has an official Chrome extension available in the Chrome Web Store. It also supports Firefox, Brave, and Edge. Verify the publisher is Phantom before installing.
Phantom does not have a standalone desktop application. On desktop it works as a browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, Brave, and Edge, covering all major operating systems including Windows and Mac.
Click the Phantom extension icon and enter your password to unlock it. For seedless login, select your sign-in method and enter your PIN. If you are restoring on a new device, use your seed phrase or seedless credentials. See the Phantom recovery guide for the full process.
Yes. You can restore your Phantom wallet on any device using your seed phrase. For seedless wallets, restore using your original Apple, Google, or email account plus your PIN. Your wallet and funds are not tied to a specific device.
Yes. Phantom Wallet is free to download and use. You pay standard network gas fees when sending transactions and a 0.85% fee on in-app swaps on select pairs. Phantom does not charge subscription fees.
Check that the extension is installed and enabled in your browser. If it has been removed, reinstall from the Chrome Web Store and restore using your seed phrase. On mobile, check the app is up to date and restart it. If the issue persists, check Phantom's official status page for any known outages.
The IPA file is the iOS app package format. The correct way to install Phantom on iPhone is through the official Apple App Store, not through an IPA file. Installing via unofficial IPA files is a security risk and may result in a compromised wallet.

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