What are thirdweb In-App Wallets?

If you’re a developer, you’ll know that traditional wallets, while popular in crypto circles, still present an onboarding challenge for non-crypto natives. And even for those familiar with blockchain logins, the process is still far from seamless using external wallets like Metamask or Ledger.

That’s exactly, why embedded wallets came along. Put simply, embedded wallets work inside apps and ecosystems, removing the complexity of interacting with multiple apps and platforms in order to get started with web3. Today, there are a range of embedded wallets available to web3 apps—in fact, we have several choices for devs even within the thirdweb wallet infrastructure toolkit!

But today, we’ll be diving into thirdweb In-App wallets: our embedded wallets designed specifically to support single apps and games.

Ready to level up your web3 wallet infrastructure? Let’s dive into how thirdweb in-app wallets could benefit your app. It’s easy to get started, whether you’re a seasoned web3 developer or still learning!

<aside> <img src="/icons/bullseye_orange.svg" alt="/icons/bullseye_orange.svg" width="40px" />

If you’re looking for embedded wallets that can provide a single unified identity across multiple apps and platforms—such as for an ecosystem of games—check out thirdweb’s ecosystem wallets instead!

</aside>

What are thirdweb in-app wallets

thirdweb’s in-app wallets are self-contained digital wallets embedded directly into your application. Put simply, they are embedded wallets for single web3 apps, games and experiences, allowing users to create accounts and interact with blockchain features without leaving the platform.

In-app wallets are flexible and make the blockchain ecosystem more accessible. No need to worry about unfamiliar blockchain login methods. Simply enable web3, social or email logins to make web3 onboarding easy. In-app wallets support a long list of compatible web2 logins including email, Passkey, Apple, X, Telegram, Farcaster, Line, Steam, Mobile Number, Facebook, Github, Twitch, Google, Discord and Coinbase.

Not only that, but like all thirdweb wallets, In-app wallets are highly customizable and can be combined with other next-gen features like Pay, Auth and Engine, allowing you to monetize, authorize and scale (respectively) as you grow.

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. So what really makes thirdweb in-app wallets stand out?

What can In-App wallets do?

Customize login flows

thirdweb in-app wallets allow developers to create smooth and familiar login experiences. You can activate custom authentication methods that support everything from email and social logins to passwordless sign-ins and fingerprint scanning. Whether your users prefer traditional web2 logins or blockchain-native solutions, you can tailor authentication to your audience, ensuring frictionless access to your app.

Customize Payment flows

With thirdweb in-app wallets, you have the flexibility to accept various tokens and integrate preferred payment gateways. This ensures that users can transact seamlessly within your platform using cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, or any digital assets you choose to support. Whether you’re selling NFTs, processing microtransactions, or enabling in-game purchases, your wallet can be configured to handle payments exactly how you want.

Improve Brand Experience

thirdweb’s in-app wallets can be fully customized to align with your brand identity. You control the aesthetics and user interface, so your wallet feels like an organic part of your app rather than an external add-on. This creates a more cohesive, immersive experience for your users, helping to reinforce trust and brand loyalty.

Understand User Behavior

With integrated analytics, in-app wallets allow developers to gain insights into user interactions. You can track transaction behaviors, monitor wallet activity, and use the data to enhance your app’s user experience. By leveraging these insights, you can optimize retention strategies and fine-tune features to better meet user needs.

Why thirdweb’s In-App Wallets?

Non-custodial

thirdweb’s In-App wallets are fully non-custodial, meaning users always retain complete control of their private keys and assets. Unlike custodial wallets where users must trust third parties, thirdweb’s infrastructure ensures that security and sovereignty remain in the hands of the users.

By Developers for developers

At thirdweb, we build tools with developers in mind. That’s why our wallet solutions come with robust SDKs, extensive documentation, and out-of-the-box templates to make implementation a breeze. Whether you’re a Web3 veteran or new to blockchain development, thirdweb offers the infrastructure and support to get you up and running quickly.

User-Centric Design

thirdweb in-app wallets eliminate friction and allow users to interact with blockchain features intuitively. No need for users to switch between applications or navigate unfamiliar crypto interfaces—they can complete transactions, store assets, and sign messages all within your app.

Future-Proofed

thirdweb’s in-app wallets support multiple EVM-compatible blockchains, ensuring that your application remains flexible and adaptable as the blockchain ecosystem evolves. This cross-chain compatibility future-proofs your app, allowing it to scale and integrate with new technologies effortlessly.

In-app wallets: which kind of apps would benefit most?

Gaming

In-app wallets revolutionize the gaming industry by allowing players to earn, store, and trade in-game assets seamlessly. From NFT-based skins to tokenized economies, blockchain gaming is more immersive with wallets embedded directly into the game environment.

E-Commerce

For e-commerce platforms, integrating in-app wallets enables fiat and crypto payments, streamlining transactions and opening up new revenue streams. This makes it easier for users to purchase goods, subscriptions, or digital content without the need to connect to external wallets or applications.

Social Platforms

Social applications can integrate in-app wallets to facilitate tipping, gated content, and peer-to-peer transactions. By embedding blockchain-based monetization tools directly into the app, creators and communities can engage in seamless value exchanges.

DeFi & Finance

In the DeFi and finance sectors, in-app wallets enable users to stake tokens, borrow assets, earn yield manage investments and interact with dapps without the need for external tools, providing a streamlined and secure user experience.

How do in-app wallets work?

To understand thirdweb In-app wallets, let’s first dive into what in-app wallets are: a type of embedded wallet.

Understanding embedded wallets

Embedded wallets are non-custodial web3 wallets that users can create and interact with using a single app or platform. Typically they are designed specifically for an app or ecosystem, as opposed to external wallets such as Metamask or Phantom which are designed for more broad or general use.

Since they are targeted at more focused communities, embedded wallets can be tailored to offer specific functionalities, such as accepting specific tokens or displaying a more brand-aligned design.

How thirdweb In-App wallets work

thirdweb’s In-App wallets are a specific type of embedded wallet for single games or standalone platforms.

They function by creating a non-custodial wallet for each user upon authentication. Users can sign in using various methods, including email, social accounts, or custom authentication systems. Once authenticated, the In-App wallet is generated and linked to the user's credentials. This allows for secure and straightforward blockchain interactions—without ever leaving the app.

How to Implement thirdweb’s In-App Wallets

Ready to innovate? Here’s your roadmap:

1. Get Your Client ID

   Sign up via the Thirdweb Dashboard to generate a unique ID for your app.

2. Configure Authentication

   Use inAppWallet() to enable logins via email, Google, Facebook, or custom auth (like WebAuthn).

3. Integrate with Ease

   Leverage Thirdweb’s SDKs for React, React Native, Unity, or JavaScript. Add wallet features in minutes, not weeks.

💻 Pro Tip: Check out Thirdweb’s documentation for code snippets and tutorials tailored to your stack.

In-app wallets vs ecosystem wallets: choosing the correct tool

Choosing between in-app wallets and ecosystem wallets depends on your application's specific needs.

In-app wallets are perfect for apps needing self-contained wallets, such as a game with its own economy or a standalone dApp. They ensure users have an integrated, seamless experience without external distractions.

On the other hand, ecosystem wallets are ideal for cross-app experiences, allowing users to maintain a single identity across multiple applications, such as a network of games or a suite of decentralized tools.

Both wallet types are non-custodial, meaning users retain full ownership and control over their private keys. Your choice ultimately depends on whether your application is a standalone platform or part of a broader ecosystem.

thirdweb In-app wallets: more than a wallet-as-a-service

If you're building an app or game that requires a seamless user experience, secure transactions, and customized branding, thirdweb’s in-app wallets offer the perfect solution. Unlike traditional wallet-as-a-service offerings, thirdweb provides not just a wallet but an entire suite of tools to enhance authentication, payments, and blockchain interactions—all designed with developers in mind.

The next generation of the internet demands apps that are seamless, secure, and empowering. With thirdweb’s in-app wallets, you’re not just integrating blockchain—you’re inviting users into a world where decentralized technology feels effortless.

Start Building: Explore Thirdweb’s In-App Wallets