Tip: If a transaction gets stuck you can use Replace (speed up) or Cancel from the pending transaction menu.
How do I send ETH from my MetaMask wallet? — Mobile steps
This answers "how do I send ETH from my MetaMask wallet" for mobile users. Mobile flows prioritize quick actions and often include a QR scanner.
- Open the MetaMask mobile app and unlock.
- Tap the account, then tap Send.
- Either scan a recipient QR code or paste the address.
- Select ETH (or the native token for the selected network), enter the amount.
- Adjust gas fee if necessary (tap Advanced fees).
- Review and Confirm.
In my experience the mobile app makes small, everyday transfers faster, especially when you're scanning a QR code at a meetup or moving funds between your own accounts. And yes, I've accidentally sent ETH to the wrong network—here's what happened: I selected a different network and the transaction failed (or the funds were locked depending on the destination). Always double-check the network.
See the differences between desktop and mobile at metamask-mobile-vs-desktop and the full mobile setup at metamask-mobile-guide.
Sending tokens (send token MetaMask) — approvals and custom tokens
Sending ERC-20 tokens is similar to sending ETH, but there are two extra considerations:
- The account must have enough ETH to pay gas even when sending a token. Yes — gas is almost always paid in the chain's native coin.
- If the token isn't visible you may need to add it as a custom token (see add-custom-token).
Token allowance (token approval) comes into play when interacting with dApps: granting permission to spend tokens is separate from sending tokens. If you want to revoke or audit allowances before sending or interacting, check revoke-approvals.
Gas fees and EIP-1559 — set priority and save where possible
MetaMask exposes EIP-1559 style fee controls: you typically set a Max Fee and a Priority Fee (tip). The network determines the base fee component (which is burned). Want to save money? Use L2s or wait for lower congestion. (See layer2-and-transfers for guidance.)
Short tip: if a transaction is urgent, increase the priority fee; if it can wait, choose a lower priority and monitor pending status.
Safety checks before you hit Confirm
A practical pre-send checklist — do these every time:
- Confirm the first/last characters of the address. Use ENS when available.
- Confirm the network (EVM-compatible chains look similar).
- Check the total cost (amount + gas fees).
- For large transfers, send a small test amount first.
- Avoid copying addresses from chat apps or unknown webpages.
- Use the address book for frequent recipients.
What I've found: a tiny test (like $1 worth) catches most mistakes. But if you already approved a dApp, check allowances and revoke when necessary (revoke-approvals).
If you want a deeper check, simulate the transaction (see transaction-simulation) before sending.
Common sending errors and how to fix them
| Problem |
Likely cause |
Quick fix |
| "Insufficient funds for gas" |
No native token to pay gas |
Send a small amount of native token first (receive-crypto) |
| Transaction stuck |
Low priority fee or pending nonce |
Speed up or replace the tx from the pending menu |
| Wrong network / chain mismatch |
Sending token on wrong network |
Double-check network, and use a bridge if you meant cross-chain (see bridging-overview) |
| Token not showing |
Custom token not added |
Add via add-custom-token |
Who MetaMask sending works best for (and who should look elsewhere)
Who this fits:
- Active DeFi users and dApp explorers who need a flexible, non-custodial software wallet.
- Mobile-first users who move funds frequently and want an in-app dApp browser.
Who should look elsewhere or add hardware for large balances:
- People holding large sums long-term should combine MetaMask with a hardware wallet (see hardware-wallet-integration).
- Institutions or users requiring custodial recovery and insurance should use a custodial solution instead of a hot wallet.
FAQ
Q: Is it safe to keep crypto in a hot wallet?
A: Hot wallets are convenient for daily activity but carry more risk than cold storage. I keep spending money in a hot wallet and the majority of funds in an offline solution. Balance convenience and self-custody based on how much you hold.
Q: How do I revoke token approvals?
A: Use an allowance/revoke tool (or MetaMask permissions page) to see current approvals, then revoke any unlimited or unused allowances. See revoke-approvals for step-by-step guidance.
Q: What happens if I lose my phone?
A: If you've safely stored your seed phrase, you can restore your account on a new device. If not, funds are likely unrecoverable. See lost-phone and seed-phrase-backup-and-recovery.
Conclusion and next steps
Sending crypto with MetaMask is straightforward once you get the checks right: confirm network, verify address, and watch gas fees. Test with small transfers if you're unsure, and consider hardware wallet integration for large balances. In my experience, those three habits prevent most common mistakes.
Ready to learn more? Check guides on transactions and gas, how to swap, or bridge-on-mobile next.
But remember: double-check before you confirm. Safe sending!
