Brief content

MetaMask is a crypto wallet app and browser extension that is connected to the Ethereum network by default. You can find the extension on the official MetaMask website, which will direct you to the right place to download it.

To connect to other networks like Polygon, you need to add basic blockchain information to MetaMask. This includes the configured RPC URL, circuit ID, and network name. To add Polygon tokens, you need to import the token address.

Learning how to add a new blockchain to MetaMask is a skill that can be used to add other EVM networks, such as the Binance Smart Chain.

Introduction

A compatible crypto wallet such as MetaMask is required to interact with the Polygon blockchain. However, Polygon is not added as a network by default in MetaMask. Setting up your browser wallet to connect to Polygon is simple and can be done in just a few minutes.

Installing and configuring MetaMask

MetaMask can be downloaded and installed on Chrome, iOS, or Android via the MetaMask website. Always check if you are using the official website to ensure that you are downloading the genuine MetaMask extension.

After downloading and installing the extension, you will see the MetaMask welcome page. Click [Get Started] to get started.

If you are creating a new wallet, click [Create a Wallet]. You can also import an old wallet using its seed phrase via the [Import wallet] option.

MetaMask will ask you if you want to share anonymous usage data to help improve the extension. Acceptance or rejection will not affect your use of MetaMask.

Choose a secure password to login to your wallet from your browser. Note that this is not your seed phrase. A password is a security measure that prevents unauthorized persons using your device from accessing your wallet. If you forget your password, you can always access your cryptocurrency using your seed phrase.

After choosing a password, MetaMask will provide you with information about your wallet's seed phrase. Be sure to read it if you are not familiar with how a crypto wallet works.

You will now be presented with your seed phrase. Click on the lock to view the words and remember them in the correct order. Keep the phrase in a safe place (preferably offline) and do not share it with anyone. This string of numbers is the final backup of your wallet and its contents. Click [Next] to continue.

You will now need to repeat the seed phrase by selecting the words at the bottom of the screen in the correct order. Click [Confirm] when it's done.

Your MetaMask wallet should now be ready to use. Click [All Done] to view your wallet.

To make MetaMask easier to access, you can pin it to your Chrome browser by clicking the puzzle icon and pinning MetaMask to your toolbar. After the initial setup, MetaMask will only connect to Ethereum. Next, we'll look at how to connect Metamask to Polygon.

Wallet settings

Adding Polygon support to your wallet involves adding some network information to the extension. First, open MetaMask and click on the dropdown menu.

Now click [Add Network] in the pop-up window.

You will need to add the following details on the [Add a network] page. Click [Save] when finished.

You are now successfully connected to the Polygon network.

Adding Polygon tokens to MetaMask

For Polygon tokens other than MATIC to appear in the wallet interface, you will need to add them manually. Please note that your wallet may still receive tokens that were not imported.

First, go to PolygonScan and find the token contract and details of the token you want to add. If the token is not available on PolygonScan, be sure to get the contract address on the project's official website or on social networks. Be careful with fake contracts created by scammers.

Return to MetaMask and click [Import tokens].

Copy the token contract address and MetaMask will automatically fill in the rest. If not, add them manually. Click [Add Custom Token] to finish.

Click [Import Tokens].

Your wallet will now successfully reflect the balance of the added token.

Final thoughts

With Polygon set up in MetaMask, you can start transacting, collecting NFTs, interacting with DeFi DApps, and managing your cryptocurrencies. You can even exchange tokens without leaving the extension. MetaMask is not only for the Ethereum and Polygon network; it actually supports the entire Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) blockchain ecosystem, including the Binance Smart Chain. Following our guide, you're now ready to add even more chains and start using them.