Ethereum wallet illustration

How to create an Ethereum wallet

Get your very own Ethereum wallet address in minutes. With it, you will be able to send, receive, buy, swap and sell crypto-assets on Ethereum and many other chains from your phone.

Clock icon5 minutes|Yann Gerardi|Published 2020-04-17|Updated 2024-06-12

Table of contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Step-by-step tutorial
  3. FAQ

Introduction

An Ethereum wallet is a type of application that allows you to create an Ethereum address, store the seed phrase that controls it, and use it to make Ethereum transactions.

In this tutorial we guide you through the easiest and fastest way to create an Ethereum wallet, which is with a mobile wallet (although there are different types of Ethereum wallets).


Step-by-step tutorial

For this example, we will create a new Ethereum wallet using Bridge Wallet, the free mobile app that we have made to easily get started in the Ethereum ecosystem. It only takes a few minutes!

1. Download the app

Enter your phone number below, and click on the link that you will receive by SMS to install the app, and then launch it.

If you don't receive the SMS, you can also download the app directly from Google Play or from the App Store.

2: Create a password

The first step after launching the app is to create a password to secure the access to the app on your device.

Bridge Wallet create password screen

3: Create a new wallet

Choose here the "Create a new wallet" option. The other option is to access an existing address in case you already have one.

Bridge Wallet create wallet screen

4: Generate a secret phrase

Choose here the "Generate a secret phrase" option. The split secret phrase is an advanced form of secret phrase, if you don't know what it is you can ignore it.

For more information, read our guide on private keys and secret phrases.

Bridge Wallet create new wallet screen

5: Read the safety notice

These few screens introduce you to basic safety practices regarding the management of your secret phrase and wallet.

We strongly advise you to read them, even if it's not the first time you create a crypto wallet. A safety refresher never hurts!

Bridge Wallet safety notice screen

6: Get your secret phrase

This screen displays your secret phrase, which is the only way to access and restore your wallet and all its content.

Never share your secret phrase, make sure you write it down now and store it somewhere safe.

If someone else gets access to your secret phrase, you will lose your wallet's content.

You will also find on our blog a detailed guide that explains you how to store crypto-assets safely.

Bridge Wallet secret phrase screen

7: Secret phrase check

Let's verify here that you have backed up your secret phrase. If you haven't, you can still click "Back" and back it up. It's really important to do it properly now, so you'll be all set from now on.

Bridge Wallet secret phrase check screen

8: Success!

That's it, you're done creating a new Ethereum wallet!

Bridge Wallet wallet creation success screen

9: See your Ethereum address

You can now start using your brand new Ethereum wallet. To see and share your public Ethereum address, go in the "Addresses" tab of the app. Your address is the string of numbers and letters displayed on top of the screen.

You can also share it in the form of a QR code, which is easier.

Bridge Wallet Ethereum addresses screen

FAQ

What is an Ethereum wallet?

An Ethereum wallet is a software that contains a secret phrase in an encrypted way. The wallet gives you an interface to use that secret phrase to make Ethereum transactions (send tokens, receive tokens, etc.).

How to buy Ethereum?

You can buy ETH here by bank transfer or by card on any self-custodial Ethereum wallet. For more information, have a look at our step-by-step tutorial on how to buy ETH.

How to send Ethereum?

Sending and receiving funds on Ethereum is done through wallet applications, such as Bridge Wallet. You will find more info about them in our article on the different types of crypto wallets.

Ethereum wallets have a receiving as well as a sending button. When you click on the "Send" button, the wallet will ask you to provide the recipient address, either by pasting it or by scanning it QR code. It will also ask you the amount to send, and if your balance is sufficient you will be able to send the transaction.

Most wallets will also offer advanced settings, where you can manually modify the price you are willing to pay for the transaction. If you don't know how to choose that amount, don't modify it and keep the wallet's default value.

How to receive Ethereum?

When you click on the "Receive" button of your wallet, it will show you the Ethereum address that you can share with people wanting to send you funds.

You can either share your written address, usually a string of 42 characters long consisting of numbers and letters, or share the address in the form of a QR code.

How to store funds on Ethereum?

You never store a crypto-asset in itself. Instead, you store the private key giving you access and control over a wallet address. That key is stored in a wallet, which provides an interface to use it. To learn more, read our in-depth guide on storing crypto assets.

Is an Ethereum address the same on different chains?

Yes, an Ethereum address is valid and remains the same on any chain that uses the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), which includes Arbitrum, BNB Chain, Polygon, Gnosis Chain, etc.

Are Ethereum addresses case sensitive?

No, Ethereum addresses are not case sensitive. A transaction will work whether you enter an Ethereum address in uppercase, lowercase, or a mix of both.

Can an Ethereum address contain multiple tokens?

Yes, an Ethereum address can contain any type of token that exist on any EVM network (Arbitrum, BNB Chain, Polygon, etc).

Can you reuse an Ethereum address?

Yes, once created an Ethereum address doesn't change and remains valid forever.


Yann Gerardi photo

About the author

Yann Gerardi

Yann is the head of marketing of Mt Pelerin. He fell down the rabbit hole of crypto at the end of 2017, when he joined the assembling team that would give birth to Mt Pelerin.

Have a question?

Check our FAQ

The most common questions that our clients ask us are all answered there. Have a look!

Contact us

We answer all your questions, and we answer them fast! Get in touch by email or through Bridge Wallet's contact form.