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Getting Started for Users

This path is for trying the Polkadot app as an end user. You will install a client or use the web gateway, create or import a devnet account, get no-value funds, and open your first Product by its .dot name.

This is a devnet

The Polkadot Products Devnet is a preview environment. Devnet tokens have no real value, and flows may change without notice. Never enter a real-value seed phrase, and never share your recovery phrase with anyone.

What you are using

The Polkadot app is self-custodial: your keys are generated and stored on your own device. It brings identity, chat, payments, and app discovery into one client. You can also use the web gateway when you only want to open Devnet apps from a browser.

flowchart TD
  You[You] --> App["Polkadot app<br/>(mobile / desktop)"]
  You --> Web["Web gateway<br/>dev-dot.li"]
  App --> Acct[On-device account]
  App --> Cash["Devnet funds (CASH)"]
  App --> Browse["Discover apps<br/>Browse / .dot links"]
  Web --> Browse

1. Install the Polkadot app

Choose the client for your platform.

Platform Where to get it
Android (Google Play) play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.pcf.polkadotapp
Android (direct APK) get.polkadotcommunity.foundation/android/latest.apk
iOS (TestFlight) testflight.apple.com/join/VvC8SHVE
Desktop (macOS / Windows / Linux) polkadotcommunity.foundation/desktop/

Prefer not to install anything?

You can browse devnet apps from any web browser through the gateway at https://dev-dot.li. For the full experience — an on-device account, payments, and signing — install one of the clients above.

All installed clients keep your keys on-device. The web gateway is useful for quick exploration, but the full account, signing, payment, and messaging experience lives in the app.

2. Create or import an account

When you create an account, the app generates a key pair on your device. Your recovery phrase never leaves the device. If you use cloud backup (Google Drive on Android, iCloud on iOS), treat that backup as sensitive account material.

To create a new account, follow the in-app setup flow and record your recovery phrase somewhere safe.

To import an existing devnet account, choose the import option during setup and enter its recovery phrase.

Keep secrets on the device

Because this is a self-custodial app, only you hold the keys. Anyone with your recovery phrase controls the account. Write it down offline and never paste it into a website or share it in chat.

3. Get devnet funds

The devnet stablecoin is displayed in the app as CASH. There are two ways to obtain it.

In-app top-up

On devnet builds, the app can top up your account directly. Open the CASH card and tap Get CASH. Once the transfer settles, the CASH card updates and you can spend the balance inside the app.

Devnet-only convenience

The Get CASH button is available only on non-production networks. See Money (CASH & funding) for the model behind the balance.

Faucet

You can also request funds from the public faucet at https://faucet.polkadot.io. This is especially useful when you need native devnet funds for fees.

4. Open your first app

Devnet apps are addressed by human-readable .dot names, for example survey.dot. There are two practical ways to open one.

From Browse

Browse is the app directory for the devnet. It lists the apps currently published on-chain and lets you open one with a tap.

When you select an app inside the Polkadot app, it opens in the app host so it can ask for approvals and use platform services. In a plain web browser, the same app opens through the .dot.li gateway.

flowchart LR
  B[Browse directory] --> Pick[Pick an app]
  Pick -->|inside Polkadot app| Host["Opens in the app host"]
  Pick -->|in a web browser| Gateway["Opens via .dot.li gateway"]

If you already know an app's name, you can open it directly:

  • In the Polkadot app, type the .dot name (for example survey.dot) into the browser address bar.
  • In a web browser, use the web gateway, e.g. https://survey.dev-dot.li.

Some reference apps you can try on the devnet:

App Address
Browse (app directory) browse.dev-dot.li
DotNS (naming) UI dotns.dev-dot.li
Simple Survey survey.dev-dot.li
CDM Frontend (contracts) contracts.dev-dot.li

Where to go next

Learn more