Getting Started With MetaMask on Polygon

Polygon Labs
May 26, 2022
Developers
Image source: Dribbble

MetaMask is the most popular cryptocurrency wallet app and browser extension used to access the Web3 universe. In just a few simple steps, you can unlock this powerful tool and begin exploring the Polygon ecosystem.

There are more than 19,000 decentralized applications (dApps) running on Polygon. That list includes DeFi protocols like Aave and Uniswap V3, NFT marketplaces OpenSea and Mark Cuban’s Lazy.com and Web3 gaming efforts including DraftKings, Animoca Brands’ The Sandbox and Decentral Games. There is a lot to see, so let’s get you set up.

Setting Up

If you don't already have MataMask, setting one up is a breeze:

  1. MetaMask is available for download and installation on a variety of platforms with two main flavors: desktop browser (Chrome, Firefox, Brave, and Microsoft Edge) and mobile (iOS and Android). Get the one that’s right for you from the official website.
  2. After you've downloaded and installed the extension or app, launch it and click 'Get Started.'
  3. If this is your first time creating a MetaMask wallet, click the 'Create a Wallet' button. You can also use a Secret Recovery Phrase to import your existing MetaMask wallet.
  4. In order to improve MetaMask, you have the option of sharing anonymous usage data with MetaMask. This can be turned off at any time by going to Settings and unchecking the box.
  5. Create a password. MetaMask will then share with you your Secret Recovery Phrase, which serves as the master key to our wallet and will let you regain access to your account if you lose the password.
  6. Click 'Next' to see your 12-word seed phrase. Verify it by selecting each word in the correct sequence. Click "Confirm."
  7. We recommend that users keep their seed phrase offline and in a secure location. Sharing it with someone is the same as handing over your wallet.
  8. You've now completed the setup process for your MetaMask wallet. Click 'All Done.'

Connecting to Polygon

MetaMask is set up for use on Ethereum by default. You will need to connect the Polygon network first.

Connect Manually

  1. On mobile, click the hamburger icon in the top left, go to Settings and down to Networks. On the browser, the network selection window is usually in the top right.

On the desktop, simply click the 'Add network' button under the drop-down network menu at the top right corner. Refer to the below screenshot:

  1. Click 'Add network' and fill in the following information:
  1. Click “Save.”
  2. Welcome to Polygon!

Connect Automatically

  1. On polygonscan, go to the bottom of the page and click the "Add Polygon Network" button.
  2. A MetaMask Notification will appear. Click “Approve” to proceed.
  3. In the network dropdown list, you'll be taken straight to Polygon's Mainnet.
  4. Done!

Adding Assets

You will need to manually add Polygon tokens other than MATIC if you want them to appear in the wallet UI. Be aware that tokens that haven't been imported yet can still be sent to your wallet's address:

  1. Whether you are on the browser or mobile app, there is a link to “Import Tokens” on the bottom of the screen.
  1. You can use the search field to find your token and import it.
  2. If you are the hands-on type or the token you are adding is new or exotic, there is the manual way. On the Import Tokens page of the wallet, go to Custom Token.
  3. You will need to find the Token Contract Address. The best way is to follow links from the project’s official site to polygonscan and look at the Contract field. You can also use a reputable price source like CoinMarketCap or CoinGecko to look up your token and change the network to Polygon in the Contract section of the description.
  1. MetaMask should automatically fill in the rest of the information after you've copied the token's contract address into the form. If it doesn’t, give it a name and the number of digits after the decimal point you want to be displayed (“2” to see “$15.99”) and click Add Custom Token.
  2. You should now be able to see the token's balance in your wallet.

Before you set off traipsing through Polygon wonderland, make sure you have some MATIC tokens on hand to pay for gas. In the next tutorial, we'll show you how to use Polygon Bridge to bring tokens from other chains to Polygon.

Tune into our blog for the latest explainers and news from the Polygon ecosystem.

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