Jerry
What a wallet actually is
A wallet is a pair of keys. The public part is your address, like an account number you can share. The private part proves it is you and must never be shared. Whoever controls the private key controls the wallet, which is why "not your keys, not your coins" is the first rule of crypto.
Option 1: a Smart Wallet with Face ID
Smart Wallets use a passkey, the same technology that lets you log in to websites with Face ID or a fingerprint. There is no app to install and no recovery phrase to write down: your passkey is stored by your phone or computer and synced to your Apple or Google account.
On jerryberry.meme, tap Connect and then Make a wallet. Confirm with Face ID or your fingerprint and you have a Base wallet ready to use.
Option 2: a classic wallet app
Apps like MetaMask, Rabby and the Base App work as a browser extension or a phone app. When you set one up, it shows you a recovery phrase of 12 or 24 words. That phrase is the master key to your wallet.
- Write it on paper and keep it somewhere safe and offline.
- Never type it into a website, a form or a chat.
- Never take a screenshot of it or store it in your notes or email.
- Anyone who asks for it is trying to rob you. No real support team ever needs it.
Which one should you pick?
For a first wallet, a Smart Wallet is the easiest and hardest to lose. If you plan to use lots of different apps and chains, a classic wallet like MetaMask or Rabby gives you more control. Many people use both.
After you have a wallet
- Make sure it is set to the Base network (chain ID 8453).
- Add a little ETH on Base for fees. See How to get ETH on Base.
- Learn how to connect safely. See Connecting your wallet safely.