How to Set Up Rabby
Step-by-step Rabby setup for 2026: install, generate seed phrase, secure backups, and complete a test deposit. With common errors and fixes.
What you'll need (prerequisites)
- Up-to-date browser (Chrome, Brave, Firefox) or smartphone
- Pen and paper for seed backup
- 15 minutes of uninterrupted time
Recommended for this tutorial
Tools and accounts referenced in the steps below:
Step-by-step
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Step 1: Download Rabby from the official source
Browser extensions: only from chrome.google.com or addons.mozilla.org with the verified publisher badge. Mobile: only from the App Store / Play Store under the verified developer. Phishing copycats are everywhere — check publisher details before installing.
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Step 2: Create a new wallet
Choose "Create new wallet". Set a strong password — this encrypts the wallet on this device only. The password is not the seed; losing the password just means re-importing from seed.
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Step 3: Back up your seed phrase
Rabby shows you a 12 or 24-word seed phrase. Write it on paper, never digitally. Anyone with this phrase has full control of your funds. Never type it into a website, email, or screenshot it.
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Step 4: Verify the seed phrase
Rabby asks you to re-enter the phrase to confirm you have it. Triple-check spelling.
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Step 5: Pin the extension and set up auto-lock
Pin the extension to your toolbar so phishing fakes are obvious. Set auto-lock to 5-10 minutes so the wallet is encrypted when you walk away.
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Step 6: Test with a small deposit
Send a small test amount before moving large balances. Confirm the receive address matches what you copied — clipboard malware swaps addresses.
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Step 7: (Optional) Connect a hardware wallet
For balances over a few thousand dollars, link a Ledger or Trezor inside Rabby. The hot wallet acts as the UI; the hardware device signs.
Common errors and fixes
- Lost the seed phrase. If still logged in, immediately move funds to a new wallet whose seed you backed up properly. If logged out and no seed, the funds are permanently inaccessible — there is no recovery.
- Suspect a fake / phishing wallet. Move funds to a freshly installed wallet on a clean device. Disconnect the suspect wallet from every dapp via Etherscan token-approval revoker.
- Hardware device not recognised. Try a different USB cable (data, not charge-only), different port, or USB-A↔USB-C adapter. Reinstall the bridge software.
- Forgot password (software wallet). Re-install the wallet and import using your seed phrase. The password is local; the seed is the only true backup.
- Sent to wrong network. If both networks share the same address format (e.g. ERC-20 to BSC), funds may be recoverable by importing the same seed on the other chain. If not, funds are usually lost.
FAQ
Is Rabby safe in 2026?
Rabby is one of the most widely used and audited software wallets. Safety depends on the user: never type the seed phrase into any computer, never store it digitally, and verify every transaction prompt on the device before approving.
What if I lose my Rabby?
As long as you have your 12/24-word seed phrase, you can re-install Rabby on a new device and restore your wallet. The seed is the only thing that matters.
Can Rabby be hacked?
Rabby itself runs in your browser/phone — the security boundary is your device. Malware, phishing extensions, or fake websites can drain a hot wallet. Use a hardware wallet for large balances.
What chains does Rabby support?
Rabby supports Ethereum and most EVM L2s (Arbitrum, Base, Optimism, Polygon, Avalanche). Multi-chain support varies — check the official docs.
Do I need to back up the seed if I use Rabby with a hardware wallet?
If you create a new account inside the software wallet, you create a new software-controlled key with its own seed — back that up. If you connect a hardware wallet as the signer, the hardware seed is your only backup; the software wallet is just the UI.