MetaMask built its reputation as the go-to Ethereum wallet, but for years it had one major limitation: it only worked with EVM-compatible blockchains. If you wanted to use Bitcoin, Solana, or Starknet, you needed a separate wallet. MetaMask Snaps changed that. Snaps are third-party plugins that extend MetaMask’s functionality in ways the core team never anticipated — and they’re now a thriving ecosystem.
What Are MetaMask Snaps?
Snaps are JavaScript programs that run inside MetaMask’s sandboxed environment. Developers build Snaps to add features that MetaMask doesn’t natively support. Think of them like browser extensions for your browser extension.
Snaps can:
- Add support for non-EVM blockchains (Bitcoin, Solana, Cosmos, Starknet, etc.)
- Display transaction insights and security warnings
- Add custom notifications
- Implement account abstraction features
- Connect to external APIs for real-time data
- Add hardware wallet compatibility for new devices
Snaps cannot:
- Access your seed phrase or private keys directly
- Make transactions without your explicit approval
- Access data from other Snaps
- Run in the background without your knowledge (they must be explicitly triggered)
How Snaps Extend MetaMask
Non-EVM Chain Support
The most popular use case for Snaps is adding entirely new blockchain ecosystems to MetaMask. Before Snaps, if you wanted to hold BTC and ETH in one interface, you had to use a different wallet. Now you can install the Bitcoin Snap and manage BTC directly from MetaMask.
This works because Snaps have access to MetaMask’s key derivation functions. A Bitcoin Snap can derive your Bitcoin keys from the same seed phrase as your Ethereum keys, giving you one seed phrase to back up for multiple chains.
Transaction Insights
Some Snaps analyze transactions before you sign them. They decode contract interactions and warn you if something looks suspicious — for example, if you’re about to approve token spending to a known scam contract, or if a transaction is structured in an unusual way.
Account Abstraction
Snaps can implement smart account features like social recovery, multi-signature requirements, and session keys. This is particularly relevant for dApps building on ERC-4337.
Custom Notifications
Snaps can push notifications to MetaMask based on on-chain events — price alerts, liquidation warnings for DeFi positions, governance vote reminders, and more.
How to Install a Snap
Installing a Snap is straightforward but requires care. Only install Snaps from the official MetaMask Snaps directory or from trusted dApp sites.
Step 1: Find the Snap
Go to snaps.metamask.io — the official Snap directory. Browse by category or search for a specific chain or feature.
Step 2: Click “Add to MetaMask”
On the Snap’s page, click the install button. This opens a MetaMask popup.
Step 3: Review Permissions
MetaMask displays exactly what permissions the Snap is requesting. Common permissions include:
- Access to certain RPC calls
- The ability to display dialog boxes
- Network access (to fetch data from external APIs)
- Key derivation (for Snaps managing keys for other chains)
Read these carefully. If a Snap is requesting permissions that seem excessive for its stated purpose, don’t install it.
Step 4: Confirm Installation
Click “Approve” to install. The Snap is now active inside MetaMask.
Step 5: Interact with the Snap
Some Snaps add a new tab or section inside MetaMask. Others integrate into the existing transaction flow. Check the Snap’s documentation for usage instructions.
Top MetaMask Snaps in 2026
Bitcoin Snap (by Consensys / MetaMask)
The Bitcoin Snap lets you manage a Bitcoin wallet directly from MetaMask. It derives your BTC address from your MetaMask seed phrase using standard BIP-44 derivation paths, meaning your Bitcoin keys are deterministically derived from the same seed you already have.
Features:
- Send and receive BTC
- View BTC balance and transaction history
- Compatible with native SegWit (bech32) addresses
- No separate seed phrase needed
Limitations: Does not support Lightning Network or advanced Bitcoin scripting. For power users, a dedicated Bitcoin wallet is still recommended.
Solana Snap
The Solana Snap adds full Solana wallet functionality to MetaMask. You can hold SOL and SPL tokens, connect to Solana dApps, and even sign Solana transactions — all from the MetaMask interface.
Features:
- SOL and SPL token management
- Connect to Solana dApps (with compatible dApps that detect the Snap)
- Transaction history
- Devnet/testnet support for developers
Starknet Snap
StarkWare’s Starknet Snap is one of the most feature-complete Snaps available. It provides a full Starknet wallet experience inside MetaMask.
Features:
- Manage STRK and Starknet tokens
- Interact with Starknet DeFi (JediSwap, Ekubo, etc.)
- Account deployment on Starknet
- Transaction history
Tenderly Security Snap
Rather than adding a new chain, the Tenderly Snap adds security intelligence to your transaction flow. Before you sign any transaction, Tenderly simulates it and shows you exactly what will happen — what tokens leave your wallet, what contracts are called, and whether the transaction looks risky.
Features:
- Transaction simulation before signing
- Clear breakdown of token flows
- Risk flags for suspicious contracts
- Works across all EVM chains
Chainalysis Oracles Snap
This Snap integrates Chainalysis’s on-chain intelligence to flag high-risk addresses and contracts before you interact with them. It’s particularly useful for users who interact with many unfamiliar dApps.
Cosmos / IBC Snap
For Cosmos ecosystem users, there are Snaps that add support for ATOM, OSMO, and other Cosmos SDK chains. These allow IBC transfers and staking within MetaMask.
Security Considerations for Snaps
Snaps are powerful, which means they carry risk. The MetaMask team reviews Snaps before listing them in the official directory, but that review is not a guarantee of safety.
Sandboxing
Snaps run in an isolated JavaScript environment called a SES (Secure ECMAScript) sandbox. This prevents Snaps from:
- Accessing your seed phrase or private keys directly
- Reading data from other Snaps
- Making arbitrary network requests (they must declare network access in their permissions manifest)
- Accessing browser APIs like localStorage
The sandbox is a meaningful security boundary, but it is not perfect. A malicious Snap with legitimate-sounding permissions could still mislead you into signing a harmful transaction.
Permission Model
Every Snap must declare its permissions in a manifest file. MetaMask shows you these permissions during installation. The key permissions to scrutinize:
| Permission | Risk Level | Legitimate Uses |
|---|---|---|
snap_getBip32Entropy |
High | Key derivation for non-EVM chains |
snap_getBip44Entropy |
High | Key derivation (standard) |
endowment:network-access |
Medium | Fetching data from APIs |
endowment:transaction-insight |
Low | Transaction analysis |
snap_notify |
Low | User notifications |
snap_dialog |
Low | Showing information to users |
Be especially careful with Snaps requesting key derivation permissions. A malicious Snap with these permissions could theoretically trick you into revealing key material.
Best Practices
Enabling and Disabling Snaps
You can manage your installed Snaps at any time:
- Open MetaMask
- Click the three dots menu (⋮) in the top right
- You’ll see a list of all installed Snaps
- Toggle a Snap off to disable it without uninstalling
- Click the trash icon to fully uninstall
Disabling a Snap does not affect your keys or funds. If you had a Bitcoin Snap managing a BTC balance, disabling the Snap doesn’t lose your BTC — your keys are always derivable from your seed phrase.
Snaps and Account Abstraction
One of the most exciting frontiers for Snaps is account abstraction (ERC-4337). Traditional Ethereum accounts (EOAs) have limitations: you need ETH to pay for gas, you can’t set spending limits, and losing your private key means losing everything.
Smart contract accounts solve these problems, but they historically required a separate wallet interface. Snaps can implement smart account functionality directly inside MetaMask, enabling:
Several Snaps in 2026 are building toward this vision, particularly in the gaming and social application space where seamless UX is critical.
The Future of MetaMask Snaps
The Snaps ecosystem has matured significantly. Key developments to watch:
Cross-Snap communication: The MetaMask team is working on allowing Snaps to communicate with each other in controlled ways, enabling complex composed functionality.
Snap monetization: Developers can now charge subscription fees for premium Snaps, creating a sustainable business model for Snap development.
Hardware wallet Snaps: New hardware wallets can now add MetaMask support via a Snap rather than waiting for MetaMask core integration.
Mobile Snap support: The MetaMask mobile app has expanded Snap support, though the full library is still more accessible on desktop.
Governance integration: Several protocols are building Snaps that surface governance votes directly in MetaMask and allow one-click voting.
FAQ
Are MetaMask Snaps safe to use?
Snaps that appear in the official MetaMask Snaps directory (snaps.metamask.io) have been reviewed by the MetaMask team. They run in a sandboxed environment that limits what they can access. That said, no software is risk-free. Read permissions carefully and only install Snaps you actually need from developers you trust.
Can a Snap steal my private keys?
Snaps do not have direct access to your seed phrase or private keys. The MetaMask Snaps API allows Snaps to derive keys for specific chains using controlled cryptographic functions, but the raw key material is never exposed to Snap code. A malicious Snap could, however, try to trick you into signing something harmful through the UI it controls.
Do Snaps work on MetaMask Mobile?
As of 2026, Snaps support on mobile is expanding but remains more limited than on desktop. Some Snaps, particularly those requiring complex UI rendering, may not work on mobile. Check each Snap’s documentation for mobile compatibility.
Will a Snap have access to my Ethereum funds?
A Snap cannot directly move your Ethereum funds. Any transaction still requires your explicit approval through MetaMask’s normal signing flow. A Snap can initiate a transaction request (which MetaMask will show you for approval), but it cannot bypass the approval step.
How do I update a Snap?
Snap updates happen automatically when MetaMask detects a new approved version. You may occasionally see a prompt to approve new or changed permissions for an updated Snap. Always review permission changes before approving an update.
Can I use Snaps with MetaMask hardware wallet accounts?
Some functionality varies when using hardware wallet accounts (Ledger/Trezor). Transaction insight Snaps work fine, but Snaps that require key derivation (like Bitcoin or Solana Snaps) work independently of your hardware wallet — they use MetaMask’s software key derivation, not your hardware device.
What happens to my Snap-managed funds if I uninstall MetaMask?
Your funds are always recoverable using your seed phrase. Uninstalling a Snap or MetaMask itself doesn’t destroy your keys. Reinstall MetaMask, restore your seed phrase, reinstall the relevant Snap, and your Snap-managed wallets will be fully restored.
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