This guide shows practical steps for viewing, sending, and hiding NFTs in MetaMask — with hands-on tips I use daily. It answers common searches like "how to add nft to metamask wallet", "how to see nfts in metamask chrome", and "how to move nft from coinbase wallet to metamask".
I ran the same flows on both mobile and the Chrome extension, so you get step-by-step instructions and troubleshooting notes you can repeat yourself. And I include safety checks because NFTs are often linked to smart-contract approvals and phishing attempts.
MetaMask is a hot wallet that stores private keys locally on your device. For NFTs (ERC-721 and ERC-1155 on EVM-compatible chains) the wallet displays metadata pulled from the tokenURI (which can be hosted on IPFS or HTTP). If metadata is missing, images may be blank. Why does that happen? Often the tokenURI is off-chain, broken, or uses a gateway blocked by a browser (CORS).
A quick checklist for why an NFT may not show:
(If you want background on token standards, see token-standards-explained.)
Notes: Mobile tends to auto-detect many NFTs. If metadata doesn't load, try the contract's tokenURI in a fetcher (or view on a marketplace) to confirm the data is reachable.
MetaMask extension UIs vary by release. If you see an "NFTs/Collectibles" tab in the extension, the steps mirror mobile: open the extension, pick the account, go to NFTs, and add contract + token ID. If the extension doesn’t list NFTs, use MetaMask mobile or connect the extension to a marketplace (see troubleshooting below).
For installation-related help, try install-metamask-chrome.
Why can’t I see my NFTs in the Chrome extension? Short answer: sometimes the extension doesn't surface collectibles. Longer answer: check these items:
If the extension still doesn't show NFTs, open MetaMask mobile and confirm they’re visible there. Many people use the mobile app as their primary NFT viewer.
There are two common approaches: send the NFT on-chain, or import the Coinbase Wallet keys into MetaMask.
Method A — On-chain transfer (recommended if you want separate wallets):
Method B — Import wallet (one-key approach):
Warning: Exporting a seed phrase is sensitive. If you import, both wallets are the same account. I once imported keys on a shared machine and regretted it (lesson learned).
To custody NFTs with a Ledger device, you either transfer the token to an address derived from Ledger, or connect Ledger to MetaMask and perform the send from the Ledger-managed account.
Steps (connect Ledger):
If you prefer to move by simple transfer: copy the Ledger address and send the NFT from your software MetaMask account to that address. But always test with a low-cost NFT or on a testnet first.
Spam NFTs are a nuisance. They shouldn't affect token balances, but they clutter your UI and can be used for social-engineering scams.
Options:
But never approve transactions to "clean up" spam. Approvals are powerful. If an NFT dApp asks for approval, treat it like a token allowance request and verify the contract on an explorer.
| Action | MetaMask Extension (Chrome) | MetaMask Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic NFT detection | Varies by release | Common, more reliable |
| Add custom NFT (contract + ID) | May be available | Usually available |
| Hide spam NFT | Sometimes limited | Often available |
| Send/receive NFTs | Full support (if UI present) | Full support |
I repeated each flow on Chrome (extension) and on iOS/Android MetaMask mobile. For transfers I used small-value NFTs and a testnet account where possible. To reproduce:
This approach keeps gas costs low and lets you practice without risk.
Q: Is it safe to keep NFTs in a hot wallet like MetaMask? A: Hot wallets are convenient but less secure than hardware wallets. For valuable NFTs, consider Ledger + MetaMask.
Q: How do I revoke token approvals for NFT marketplaces? A: Use a revoke tool or follow token-approvals-and-revoke. Revoke marketplace approvals after listing or minting.
Q: What happens if I lose my phone? A: Restore with your seed phrase on a new install (see lost-phone-reset-recovery and backup-and-recovery-seed-phrase).
Q: Can I move NFTs across different networks? A: NFTs are native to their chain. To move across networks you must use a bridge that supports the asset (rare and risky). See cross-chain-bridges-and-risks.
If you only need to view NFTs, try MetaMask mobile first. If you plan to custody valuable NFTs, connect a Ledger through MetaMask and test a send with a low-value item. But always verify contract addresses, back up your seed phrase, and revoke approvals you no longer need.
Ready to set up? See install-metamask-mobile or install-metamask-chrome, and check nfts-and-collections for more detail.