Carefully! Lots of text.
MetaMask is an application and browser extension that is a cryptocurrency wallet connected to the Ethereum network. This extension can be downloaded from the official MetaMask website.
To connect to other networks such as Polygon, you need to add basic blockchain data to MetaMask, namely the custom RPC URL, ID, and network name. To add Polygon tokens, you need to import the token address.
Next, we will tell you how to add the Polygon blockchain and other EVM networks, such as Binance Smart Chain, to MetaMask.
Introduction
To work with the Polygon blockchain, you need a compatible crypto wallet, such as MetaMask. Although MetaMask does not have a Polygon network by default, it is very easy to connect in just a few minutes.
Installing and configuring MetaMask
MetaMask can be installed in the Chrome browser and can also be downloaded to iOS and Android devices from the MetaMask website. Be careful and download the MetaMask extension only from the official website.
After downloading and installing the extension, you will be redirected to the MetaMask welcome page where you will need to click the [Get Started] button.
To create a new wallet, click [Create a Wallet]. You can also import your old wallet using the seed phrase by clicking on the [Import wallet] button.
MetaMask will ask you to anonymously share usage data to help improve the extension. Your consent or refusal will not affect the use of MetaMask.
Create a strong password to log into your wallet through your browser. Please note that the password and seed phrase are two different things. The password restricts access to the wallet to unauthorized persons using your device. If you forget your password, you can restore access to your wallet using a seed phrase.
After creating a password, MetaMask will display information about your wallet's seed phrase. Please read it carefully if you have not worked with cryptocurrency wallets before.
To view the seed phrase, click on the lock icon, read 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, as the seed phrase helps restore access to your wallet and its contents. Click [Next] to continue.
You will then need to repeat your seed phrase by selecting the words at the bottom of the screen in the correct order. Once completed, click [Confirm].
Now the MetaMask wallet is ready to use. Click [All Done] to go to your wallet.
To make MetaMask easier to access, click on the puzzle icon and pin it to your toolbar in your Chrome browser. After the initial setup, the wallet will only be connected to the Ethereum network. Next, we will look at how to connect Metamask to Polygon.
Wallet setup
Connecting your wallet to the Polygon network will require you to provide network information. To get started, go to MetaMask and open the drop-down menu.
Click [Add Network] in the pop-up window.
On the page that opens, you will need to enter the following data, and then click the [Save] button:
After this, the connection to the Polygon network will be completed.
Adding Polygon tokens to MetaMask
To display Polygon tokens in addition to MATIC tokens in the wallet interface, you need to add them manually. Please note that your wallet may even receive tokens that were not imported.
First, go to PolygonScan and find the contract of the token you want to add and its details. If PolygonScan does not have the required token, find the contract address on the official project website or on social networks. Beware of 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 of the details. If this does not happen, add them manually. Click [Add Custom Token] to finish.
Select [Import Tokens].
Your wallet will now display the balance of the added tokens.
Summary
By connecting Polygon to MetaMask, you can make transactions, collect NFTs, interact with DeFi and DApps, manage your cryptocurrency, and exchange tokens right within the extension. MetaMask is not just for the Ethereum and Polygon networks—it supports the entire Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) blockchain ecosystem, including the Binance Smart Chain. By following our guide, you can add even more networks to your wallet.