How to Connect Your Wallet to OpenSea
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OpenSea is the largest NFT (Non-Fungible Token, a unique digital asset stored on a blockchain) marketplace, and connecting your self-custody wallet takes under a minute. Once connected, you can browse, buy, and list Ethereum, Polygon, and Solana NFTs directly from your own wallet with no centralized account required.
What You Need Before You Start
- A self-custody wallet: MetaMask for Ethereum and Polygon (a faster, cheaper blockchain that OpenSea supports) NFTs; Phantom for Solana NFTs; Trust Wallet or Coinbase Wallet via WalletConnect (an open protocol for connecting mobile wallets to websites). If you do not have one yet, set up Phantom or set up Trust Wallet.
- Crypto for fees: ETH for Ethereum transactions, POL for Polygon, and SOL for Solana. Browsing is free; fees only apply when buying, making an offer, or listing.
- The official URL bookmarked: confirm you are on opensea.io before connecting to avoid phishing sites.
How to Connect on Desktop
- Open opensea.io in your browser using your safe bookmark.
- Click the wallet icon in the top right corner of the homepage.
- Select your wallet from the list (MetaMask, Coinbase Wallet, or WalletConnect for all others).
- Approve the connection popup in your wallet. This only grants OpenSea permission to view your address and NFT balances; it does NOT give OpenSea the ability to move your funds or NFTs.
- Your wallet address appears in the top right corner. You can now browse your collection and the full marketplace.
How to Connect on Mobile
- In-app DApp browser: MetaMask Mobile, Trust Wallet, and Coinbase Wallet have a built-in browser. Navigate to opensea.io from inside the wallet app and the connection is handled automatically.
- WalletConnect QR code: Open opensea.io on desktop, select WalletConnect, and scan the QR code with your mobile wallet.
- Phantom on Solana: Connect the same way on desktop or use the Phantom mobile browser. Once connected, your Solana NFTs appear in your OpenSea profile.
What Connecting Actually Does
Connecting is read-only. You can browse for free without risking your assets. Buying requires a separate wallet transaction you sign individually. Listing requires a signature (usually free) and sometimes a one-time approval for the OpenSea Seaport (an open-source smart contract that processes trades) contract.
Making an offer on an Ethereum NFT requires WETH (Wrapped ETH, the same value as ETH but formatted for offer systems). OpenSea guides you through the conversion. Because approvals persist after your session ends, make it a habit to revoke active approvals regularly.
Troubleshooting
- Wallet not appearing: Confirm the browser extension is installed and unlocked. Confirm you are on opensea.io and not a copycat domain, then refresh the page.
- NFTs not showing after connecting: Switch to the Collected tab in your profile. If they are still missing, confirm you are on the correct network in your wallet. See our guide on tokens not showing in wallet.
- Gas fees high on Ethereum: Polygon NFTs cost a fraction of Ethereum fees. For lower-value purchases, Polygon is the more practical choice. See our guide on gas fees.
- Connection dropped: Disconnect and reconnect. Try incognito mode if other browser extensions are causing conflicts.
You Are Connected: What Is Next
With your wallet connected you can browse, buy, and list NFTs without a centralized account. After any session where you listed or bought, revoke active approvals for maximum security. If you plan to hold valuable NFTs, read our guide on how to store your NFTs safely.
The same wallet connects to Uniswap the same way if you want to explore DeFi (DeFi, or Decentralized Finance, refers to financial services that run without a central authority). To find a wallet that fits your NFT workflow, compare wallet features or read full wallet reviews at RateMyWallets.