How to check whether MetaMask is installed?

Question

How to check from client-side JavaScript whether MetaMask is installed?

Answer 1

Not Metamask specifically, but the below checks if Web3 is being injected.

window.addEventListener('load', function() {

  // Check if Web3 has been injected by the browser (Mist/MetaMask).
  if (typeof web3 !== 'undefined') {
    // Use Mist/MetaMask's provider.
    web3js = new Web3(web3.currentProvider);
  } else {
    // Handle the case where the user doesn't have web3. Probably 
    // show them a message telling them to install Metamask in 
    // order to use the app.
  }

});

Answer 2

The recommended way to check for web3 presence with specific check for Metamask:

window.addEventListener('load', function() {
  if (typeof web3 !== 'undefined') {
    console.log('web3 is enabled')
    if (web3.currentProvider.isMetaMask === true) {
      console.log('MetaMask is active')
    } else {
      console.log('MetaMask is not available')
    }
  } else {
    console.log('web3 is not found')
  }
})

Answer 3

I found this answer on the Metamask github page https://metamask.github.io/metamask-docs/Advanced_Concepts/Provider_API#ethereum.on(eventname%2C-callback)

if (typeof window.ethereum !== 'undefined'
|| (typeof window.web3 !== 'undefined')) {

  // Web3 browser user detected. You can now use the provider.
  const provider = window['ethereum'] || window.web3.currentProvider
}

Then you call window.ethereum.enable() to request user permission