01Desktop app or browser extension?
They share the Exodus name and self-custody model, but they are not the same wallet surface. Choose by what you need to do, not by which download appears first.
| Consideration | Desktop app | Browser extension |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Managing a portfolio, sending and receiving, swaps and longer-term storage | Connecting to dApps and Web3 sites from the browser |
| Runs on | Windows, macOS and Linux | Google Chrome and Brave on desktop |
| Asset coverage | The broader desktop wallet | Supported extension networks only |
| Backup | Create a 12-word secret key during setup | Back up the extension wallet separately |
| Main risk | Malware or a compromised computer | Phishing sites and broad browser permissions |
The extension is not a mirror of the app
02Set up Exodus on desktop
The desktop app is the better starting point if you want one place to manage a portfolio. Allow about 15 minutes for the first setup, including the backup.
- 01
Download from the official Exodus site
Open exodus.com/download in a browser and choose the build for Windows, macOS or Linux. Skip search ads, sponsored results and links sent by direct message.
Bookmark the page before you install. A saved official address is easier to check than a result that happens to sit at the top of a search page.
- 02
Install the app and open it
Run the installer, open Exodus, and choose whether to create a new wallet or restore an existing one. A basic desktop wallet does not require an Exodus account.
- 03
Set a strong, unique password
Use a long password you do not reuse anywhere else. The password encrypts the wallet on this computer, so lock the device when you step away.
The password is not a backup. If you forget it, you will need your secret recovery phrase to restore access.
- 04
Write down your 12-word secret key
Write the words in order and keep the copy offline. Do not photograph it, paste it into a website, email it, or store it in a shared note.
Anyone who has the phrase can move the funds. Exodus support will not ask you for it.
- 05
Add an asset and find your receive address
Select the asset you want, choose Receive, and confirm the network before copying the address or QR code. Some assets exist on more than one network.
For a first transfer, send a small test amount and confirm it arrives before sending the rest.
- 06
Send, swap or buy with the quote in view
When you send, check the destination address and network twice. When you swap or buy, read the provider, rate, network fee and total before confirming.
- 07
Keep the app and your computer updated
Install Exodus updates and operating-system security updates promptly. If you hold larger balances, consider a supported hardware wallet for added protection.
What “self-custody” means in practice
03Use the desktop wallet day to day
Most tasks come down to four actions. The habit that matters is reading the network and fee before you confirm.
Receive
Choose the asset first, then copy the address from Receive. Check the network label against the sender's withdrawal screen; a correct address on the wrong network can still lose funds.
Send
Paste the destination, confirm the network and review the network fee. Start with a small amount when the address is new or the asset is expensive to move.
Swap or buy
Exodus routes swaps and fiat purchases through third-party providers. The quote can include a provider fee, a network fee and price impact, so compare the total rather than the headline rate.
Track the portfolio
Use the asset list and transaction history to check balances. Portfolio values are market estimates; they are not a promise of what a sale will return.
Fees are not one number
04Set up the Exodus browser extension
Exodus Web3 Wallet is the browser extension. It is built for connecting to decentralized apps, not for replacing every desktop wallet function. Setup takes about 10 minutes.
- 01
Use a supported desktop browser
Exodus Web3 Wallet is a Chromium-based extension for Google Chrome and Brave. Install it in a desktop browser, not a mobile browser.
- 02
Install the extension from Exodus
Start at exodus.com/download and follow the link to the browser extension. Before approving installation, check that the listing name and publisher match Exodus.
- 03
Create a new wallet or restore one
Choose Create New Wallet for a fresh setup, or I Have a Wallet to restore with a 12-word secret key. For regular dApp use, a separate wallet with a small balance is often the safer choice.
Exodus can restore phrases created by Exodus, Phantom and MetaMask. For Phantom or MetaMask phrases, addresses appear only when they have previous transaction history; otherwise new addresses are created.
- 04
Set the extension password
Use a strong password that is different from your desktop wallet password. The password unlocks the extension on this browser profile.
- 05
Back up the new 12-word secret key
Write the phrase down offline and keep it separate from the device. Do not assume the extension inherited the backup from your desktop app.
- 06
Pin Exodus to the browser toolbar
Open the browser's Extensions menu, find Exodus and pin it. The toolbar icon is the quickest way to check that you are opening the real wallet rather than a lookalike page.
- 07
Fund it with a small test amount
Use Receive to get an address on the correct network, then send a small amount from an exchange or another wallet. Confirm the balance before connecting the extension to any site.
Networks in the extension
Supported networks currently include Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Cardano, Algorand, Arbitrum One, Aurora, Avalanche C-Chain, Base, BNB Smart Chain, Flare, Optimism, Polygon and Rootstock. Aurora, Flare and Rootstock have light support: balances and sends work, but full transaction history belongs on a block explorer. This list can change, so confirm inside the wallet.
Restoring is not the same as syncing
05Use the extension with dApps
A wallet connection is a permission, not a purchase. The safe workflow is the same on every site: verify the address, read the request, then approve the smallest thing you actually need.
Open the site you intend to use
Type the dApp address yourself or use a bookmark. A sponsored search result or a link in a chat can lead to a convincing copy of the real site.
Choose Connect Wallet
Select Exodus from the wallet list. If Exodus is not listed, choose the browser-extension option rather than a mobile QR flow.
Read the connection request
Check which account and network the site is requesting. Connecting usually shares your public address; it should not require your secret phrase or password.
Review every signature
A connection is not a transaction. Read each approval prompt, including the network, contract and amount, before you sign. Reject anything you do not understand.
Disconnect unused sites
Open the extension's Connections or Web3 settings and remove apps you no longer use. A long list of forgotten permissions is unnecessary risk.
No dApp needs your secret phrase
06The security checklist
Most wallet losses start before a transaction: a fake download, a shared phrase or a permission approved too quickly. These eight checks cover the common failure points.
Verify the address before you download
Use exodus.com and a bookmark you created. Search ads, direct messages and unsolicited “support” links are common phishing routes.
Keep the 12 words offline
Paper or a metal backup is better than a photo, cloud note or chat draft. Never enter the phrase into a website that asks you to “validate” or “sync” a wallet.
Treat the password as local encryption
A password protects the wallet on a device. It cannot restore funds after a lost device; only the secret phrase can do that.
Separate browsing from long-term storage
Use a dedicated extension wallet with a small balance for dApps, and keep larger holdings in the desktop wallet or a supported hardware wallet.
Check the network and address together
The same token can exist on several chains. Confirm both the address and the network before approving a transfer.
Audit connections and extensions
Remove unused browser extensions and revoke dApp connections you no longer need. Keep Chrome or Brave, Exodus and your operating system updated.
Slow down at the approval screen
Phishing relies on urgency. Read the contract, amount and permission; close the tab if the request does not match what you intended to do.
Know what support can and cannot do
No legitimate support agent needs your secret phrase. If someone asks for it, the conversation is an attack, even if the profile looks official.
If the 12 words are exposed, the wallet is exposed
Anyone with the phrase can move the funds. A password, antivirus scan or support conversation cannot reverse that. Move remaining assets to a new wallet immediately and create a new backup.
07Common problems
Start with the simplest explanation: the wrong browser, an unsupported network or an address that never had history. Do not reinstall or resubmit a transaction until you know which one it is.
The extension icon disappeared
Open the browser's Extensions menu and pin Exodus again. If it is not listed, check that you are in Chrome or Brave, confirm the extension is still enabled, and reinstall only from the official Exodus download page.
A restored wallet shows no assets
The extension supports a narrower set of networks than the desktop app. Confirm the asset is supported and that the address has history on that network. Assets on unsupported networks may still appear in Exodus Desktop or Mobile.
I forgot the wallet password
Use the 12-word secret key to restore the wallet and set a new password. Without the secret key, the password cannot be reset and the funds cannot be recovered by Exodus support.
A dApp will not connect
Unlock the extension, refresh the dApp, and confirm the site is on a supported network. Check whether another wallet is set as the browser default, then try Connect Wallet again and approve the request in Exodus.
A transaction is still pending
Look up the transaction on the relevant block explorer. Network congestion or a low fee can delay confirmation. Do not resubmit the same transfer repeatedly; confirm the first transaction's status before taking another step.
The download page looks different
Stop and check the address bar. The official domain is exodus.com. Close the tab, reopen your bookmark, and download from the official page rather than continuing through a page reached from an ad or message.
08Exodus Wallet FAQ
Short answers to the questions that come up most often after the first download.
Is Exodus Wallet free to download?
The Exodus desktop and browser wallet software is free to download. Network fees still apply to blockchain transactions, and third-party services for buying, selling or swapping crypto can charge their own fees. Review the full quote before confirming.
Do I need an Exodus account to use the wallet?
No. A basic self-custody wallet can be created without an Exodus account or sign-in. Some third-party services, such as certain fiat purchases, may require identity verification with that provider.
Does the browser extension sync with the desktop app?
Do not assume it does. The browser extension is a separate wallet surface. You can restore the same secret phrase in both, but the extension only shows assets on its supported networks. Creating a separate, smaller wallet for dApps is often the safer setup.
Which browsers support the Exodus browser extension?
Exodus Web3 Wallet is a Chrome-based extension designed for Google Chrome and Brave. Install it in a desktop version of one of those browsers. Check the official Exodus download page for the current supported list before installing.
Should I use the same 12-word phrase on desktop and in the browser?
You can restore the same wallet, but it is not always the best choice. A browser extension has a different attack surface from a desktop app. Many people keep long-term holdings in the desktop wallet and use a separate extension wallet with a small balance for dApps.
Is the browser extension safe for large balances?
No single browser setup is risk-free. The extension runs inside a browser that also loads websites, other extensions and potentially malicious content. For larger holdings, use the desktop app, a separate hardware wallet where supported, and a recovery phrase stored offline.
What happens if I lose my computer or phone?
Restore the wallet with your 12-word secret key on a new device. Without that backup, a lost device means lost access. The password alone is not enough because it only unlocks the local installation.
Can I use Exodus on an iPhone or Android phone?
Yes. Exodus has mobile apps in addition to the desktop app and browser extension. This guide focuses on desktop and browser use, but the core safety rules are the same: verify the source, protect the secret phrase and test transfers.
Can I swap, stake or use NFTs in the extension?
The extension supports swaps, NFTs and dApp connections on its supported networks. Staking availability varies by network and product surface, so check the option inside the wallet before moving assets specifically for staking.
Is this an official Exodus website?
No. Wallet Field Guide is an independent educational site and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Exodus Movement, Inc. For account-specific help, use the official Exodus support channels linked on this page.
09How this guide was checked
Product steps were checked against Exodus' public download page and Knowledge Base on October 30, 2026, including the “Getting started with Exodus Web3 Wallet” article. Wallet interfaces and supported networks change; use the official sources for the current version.
Wallet Field Guide is independent and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Exodus Movement, Inc. This article is educational, not financial, tax or legal advice. Crypto assets can lose value, and blockchain transactions are usually irreversible.