Step-by-step: check balance & wallet value (extension + mobile)
Extension (desktop browser)
- Click the MetaMask icon in your browser toolbar. Select the account you want.
- The native balance (ETH on Ethereum mainnet, for example) appears at the top.
- Click the Assets tab to list tokens and their balances. If a token is missing, add it by contract (see add-custom-tokens-to-metamask).
- For fiat value per token, check the small USD (or local currency) label near the balance — refresh the page if values look stale.
Mobile (iOS / Android)
- Open MetaMask app and pick the account.
- The home/portfolio screen shows total wallet value (if enabled) and token breakdowns.
- Tap any token to see transaction history and send/receive options. To add tokens on mobile, see add-tokens-mobile.
A quick tip: if balances look wrong, confirm you're on the correct network (top-left network dropdown) — wrong network = wrong balances. And yes, that mistake has cost me time when I first started testing.
See transactions and detailed tx info
How to see transaction in MetaMask wallet
- Extension: open the account and scroll the Activity list. Click a transaction to expand details; use "View on block explorer" to see full on-chain data (status, confirmations, gas used).
- Mobile: tap the token in the Assets list, then scroll Activity. Tap a transaction to open details and choose "View on block explorer".
What the transaction detail shows (quick primer)
- Status: pending / confirmed / failed.
- Gas used and gas price (for EIP-1559 chains you'll see max fee and priority fee).
- From / To addresses and token transfers in the internal tx log.
Need to cancel or speed a stuck transaction? Use the speed-up/cancel features in MetaMask (read more at cancel-and-speed-up-transactions). If you're not sure how to read gas fields, see gas-fees-eip1559-and-l2 for a practical walkthrough.
How to find / share your MetaMask wallet address
- Extension: click the account name (it usually shows a shortened address like 0xAbc...123). Choose "Account details" and then "Copy to clipboard" or show QR code.
- Mobile: open the account, tap the circular account icon or name, then tap "Account details" to copy or display QR.
How to get a receiving address for a specific network
- Make sure you’re on the correct network before copying an address. Sending ETH to a Polygon address without a bridge will likely result in losses (don’t ask how I learned that). Always double-check the network and copy/paste addresses — avoid typing them manually.
Want to export your private key? That is possible via Account details > Export private key (extension). Only do this on a secure device and never share it. Prefer hardware wallet integration if you hold meaningful funds (integrate-hardware-ledger-trezor).
Portfolio tracking: accuracy, missing tokens, manual adds
MetaMask attempts to present token balances and fiat values, but the accuracy depends on price sources and token metadata availability. If a small token doesn't show up, add it manually by contract address (see add-custom-tokens-to-metamask).
Common causes of incorrect balances
- Wrong network selected (most common).
- Token uses non-standard standards or requires custom RPC to read balances.
- Price feeds for new tokens are unavailable, so fiat value shows as $0 or blank.
Image: 
Quick comparison: Extension vs Mobile
| Feature |
Extension (desktop) |
Mobile (iOS / Android) |
| View native balance |
Yes |
Yes |
| Portfolio total (fiat) |
Often visible per-token; total may vary by version |
Yes — clear total and breakdown |
| Token management (add custom token) |
Yes (add-custom-tokens-to-metamask) |
Yes (add-tokens-mobile) |
| Activity & tx details |
Yes (quick access to block explorer) |
Yes (tap to view) |
| WalletConnect support |
Limited (extension injects provider) |
Full WalletConnect integration |
| Hardware wallet support |
Yes (Ledger/Trezor) |
Ledger support limited via Bluetooth for some devices |
This table helps pick which form-factor fits your daily workflow. If you trade a lot on DEXs I prefer desktop for multiple tabs; for daily checking and WalletConnect interactions, mobile is handier.
Test methodology (how I tested so you can repeat it)
I tried to keep tests reproducible. Here are the exact steps I ran so you can copy them:
- Created two fresh accounts (one on extension, one on mobile) using the same seed phrase to test sync.
- Funded each with small amounts: 0.01 ETH and 2 test tokens on Ethereum; 1 MATIC on Polygon after adding the network with add-polygon-to-metamask.
- Added a custom token by contract address and verified the balance on-chain via the block explorer.
- Executed a small swap using the built-in swap aggregator, recorded the quoted fiat values shown in MetaMask, and compared them to the on-chain execution values.
- Created a pending transaction by setting low priority fee, then tested speed-up and cancel features.
- Tested WalletConnect connections from mobile to a staging dApp and reviewed Connected Sites (see connect-metamask-to-dapps).
What I measured: display delay for balance updates, accuracy of fiat values, whether the Activity list captured contract-level token transfers, and whether manual token adds are reflected immediately.
Security, backups, and common mistakes
- Seed phrase: store it offline. Do not screenshot or store it in cloud drives.
- Lost phone? Restore with your seed phrase on another device — see lost-phone-reset-recovery.
- Revoke dangerous token allowances — large approvals can let contracts drain funds; follow token-approvals-and-revoke.
- Prefer hardware wallets for significant balances; connect a Ledger or Trezor to MetaMask (connect-ledger-to-metamask).
But let me be clear: a hot wallet trades security for convenience. If you hold large amounts, pair MetaMask with a hardware wallet.
Who this wallet is best suited for / Who should look elsewhere
Who MetaMask is well suited for
- Active DeFi users who interact with many dApps and chains and need quick access to account keys and swaps.
- People who want a mix of mobile and desktop workflows and occasional hardware wallet use.
Who should consider other options
- Users who prioritize cold storage above all else (use a purely offline solution or hardware-only approach).
- Those who need built-in advanced portfolio analytics across many wallets (use dedicated portfolio trackers in addition to MetaMask).
FAQ
Is it safe to keep crypto in a hot wallet?
- Hot wallets are convenient but more exposed. For small, active balances they make sense. For long-term large holdings use hardware wallets and keep backups of your seed phrase.
How do I revoke token approvals?
- Check connected dApps and approvals via the token approvals guide (token-approvals-and-revoke). Revoke or reduce allowances to zero for contracts you don't trust.
What happens if I lose my phone?
- If you have your seed phrase you can restore the wallet on another device. If you used cloud backup for the seed phrase, be aware of theft risk. See backup-and-recovery-seed-phrase.
Why does my MetaMask wallet show the wrong balance?
- Usually you're on the wrong network, or the token requires manual addition. Refresh, confirm the RPC, and add the token contract if missing.
Conclusion & next steps
Checking balances, viewing wallet value, and finding your MetaMask address are daily tasks that become second nature once you understand the Account, Assets, and Activity screens. I ran repeatable tests (steps above) so you can verify what your wallet shows against on-chain data. Want deeper how-tos? Read about adding custom tokens (add-custom-tokens-to-metamask), syncing mobile and desktop (sync-mobile-desktop), and safer interactions with dApps (connect-metamask-to-dapps).
If you want a checklist PDF or a short walkthrough based on your phone or desktop setup, check the related guides on this site and follow the step-by-step testing method I described — it's how I keep my wallets honest and predictable.
