By
Kseniia Klichova
April 18th, 2024
ConsenSys announced the availability of MetaMask Mobile on iOS and Android. The app is different from the desktop version. On mobile, MetaMask as a native cryptocurrency wallet, is enabled to interact with different dApps, both through a list of featured applications, and by entering a dApp’s URL into a built-in browser.
A browser crypto-focused extension Consensys finally launched a mobile app for its digital wallet MetaMask for iOS and Android on Wednesday. Head of Product at MetaMask, Jacob Cantele, explained that the extension is primarily focused on boosting the development of a new era also known as Web 3.0. In the current model, user data such as login frequency, location and searches are tracked across hundreds of sites, collected and sold without consent, Cantele added.
Unlike the desktop version, the mobile app is the company’s original digital wallet, that has integrated support for various decentralized applications (dApps). The mobile version also allows users to buy Ethereum directly in the app via Apple Pay, debit cards, or other payment methods.
MetaMask Mobile App Benefits
However, from the company, they said the users shouldn’t have problems when transferring from desktop to mobile, as it can all be made simply by generating a QR code in desktop MetaMask and scanning it with the phone. That should sync the entire transaction history to the mobile MetaMask.
Even though the user doesn’t have to possess cryptocurrencies in order to install MetaMask, with adding cryptocurrencies in his MetaMask account (such as ETH and ERC-20 or, ERC-721 tokens) he’ll be able to invest, trade, play games, own unique digital items (NFT collectibles), and much more.
Cryptocurrencies can easily be bought with a debit card or Apple Pay directly within MetaMask by clicking “Add funds”. Users can request funds from a friend by sending them a payment request showing your QR code in person or by sharing your public address.
As security is of utter importance, from the company they stated it is required that the user stores his own seed phrase in a safe place. It is the only way to recover your funds should your device crash or your browser reset. The company recommends for a phrase to be written down and stored somewhere safe. The most common method is to write your 12-word phrase on a piece of paper and store it safely in a place where only you have access.
Implementing Tiered Proprietary License
Last month MetaMask announced dates for a potential dapp-breaking code change and stated that it will move away from its open-source approach after problems with free-riders forking its code.
Therefore, MetaMask adopted what it calls a “tiered proprietary license,” leaving behind its previous permissive MIT license.
Jacob Cantele, MetaMask’s head of product stated:
“Nothing changed for users, dapp developers, or community forks. Our new license is still more permissive than other wallets. Projects commercializing a fork just need to create an agreement with us.”
From the company, they said that they plan to go on with providing MetaMask’s code for inspection and auditing, and for both non-profit organizations and developers of apps with fewer than 10,000 monthly commercial users, the story is much the same as before. This move has an impact only on larger players who want to use MetaMask’s code to power their own wallet functionality.
According to lead developer Dan Finlay, it’s unsustainable for MetaMask to continue to allow other companies free reign to use MetaMask’s code for their own purposes.