How to Connect Polygon Network to MetaMask Wallet

MetaMask has always been the go-to wallet for accessing the Ethereum network. In this step-by-step guide, we´ll explain how to connect & set up Polygon Network to Metamask and access decentralized apps and DeFi platforms at a fraction of the cost of Ethereum.

Users are getting increasingly frustrated with the sky-high prices when interacting with the Ethereum network and are now searching for ways to reduce their costs. Polygon Network (formerly known as MATIC) is a layer-2 scaling solution that improves the functionality of the Ethereum blockchain by increasing its network scalability and overall transaction speed. 

How to Add Polygon to MetaMask Wallet?

What is MetaMask Wallet?

MetaMask is a crypto wallet and gateway to blockchain-based apps. The wallet is available as a browser extension for the likes of Chrome, FireFox, and Brave or as a mobile application for the likes of Android or iOS. By default, Metamask is connected to the Ethereum network, however, it can also be set up to connect to the likes of the Binance Smart Chain, Avalanche or Polygon.

If you would like to find out more information, check out our step-by-step MetaMask tutorial here.

What is the Polygon Network?

Polygon is a protocol for building and connecting Ethereum-compatible blockchain networks. The aim is to solve issues that are combined in other blockchains such as high gas fees and slow speeds without sacrificing security. The system is similar to the likes of Polkadot, Cosmos, or Avalanche but is more open and secure. Plus it is able to fully benefit from Ethereum´s network effects.

Polygon’s cheaper transaction costs and faster block time have driven increased adoption by a number of popular Dapps such as Aave, 0x or Sushiswap.

Polygon MATIC Tokens

MATIC is an Ethereum based, ERC-20 token that is used to power the Polygon network. The token can be used to pay fees for transactions on Dapps running on Polygon or for staking to secure the network.

Polygon MATIC tokens can be bought or traded for on popular centralised exchanges such as the likes of Binance, FTX or Crypto.com or decentralised exchanges like UniSwap or SushiSwap.

How to Connect Polygon Network to MetaMask?

Below are the details that you will need to add to connect to your MetaMask to Polygon network. However, before making any major changes in your Metamask wallet, please ensure that you have access to your private keys also known as a secret phrase so that you can back up and restore your wallet in case something goes wrong.

Step 1: Download MetaMask

To start to connect Metamask to Avalanche, make sure that MetaMask is installed on your device. Installing MetaMask will not be discussed in this thread but you can check out our tutorial to see how to set up MetaMask on your selected device.

Step 2: Add Network to MetaMask

Once MetaMask is installed, open your MetaMask wallet. After opening the wallet, click the dropdown beside the name of the connected network (usually set to Ethereum Mainnet). Then select “Add Network“.

Step 3: Add Polygon Network to MetaMask

You will be directed to the “Add Network” page. To proceed, type in (or copy and paste) the below information to the appropriate box. You may view the image below for reference.

• Network Name: Polygon Mainnet
• New RPC URL: https://polygon-rpc.com
• ChainID: 137
• Symbol: MATIC
• Block Explorer URL: https://polygonscan.com/

Step 4: Save

After inputting, click save and your MetaMask wallet is connected to the Polygon Network. Congratulations!

Once you’ve got your Metamask wallet connected to polygon you can then use it with apps such as Aave, 0x or SushiSwap. However, you will need some MATIC tokens to pay for transaction fees. You can also check out Polygon’s Developer site for more information https://rpc-mainnet.matic.quiknode.pro

How to Send MATIC Tokens to MetaMask Wallet?

To use the Polygon Network, you´ll need some MATIC tokens to pay for the gas fees. This is in the same way that you need ETH for Ethereum and BNB for the Binance Smart Chain, If you already hold some MATIC tokens in an Etehereum based wallet (such as Metamask) that you´ve purchased from the likes of the Binance Exchange or Uniswap, you´ll first need to bridge these from Ethereum to the Polygon Network.

To Bridge your MATIC Tokens

Step 1: Navigate to Matic Wallet V2 & Connect

Head across to the Matic Wallet V2 where you’ll be prompted to connect a wallet. “Connect” your Metamask Wallet, “Sign the Transaction” and ensure that Metamask is connected to the Ethereum Mainnet. This where you’re MATIC tokens should currently be to perform the bridge.

Step 2: Select Polygon Bridge & Choose MATIC

From the top of the screen click “Apps” and choose “Polygon Bridge“. Here is where you can swap your tokens from ERC20 tokens to the Polygon network.

Then choose “MATIC” from the dropdown list and enter the “Amount” you’d like to bridge.

Step 5: Transfer

Click on “Transfer“. Where you’ll receive a prompt informing you that moving funds from Ethereum to Polygon takes around 7 to 8 minutes.

Step 6: Continue & Approve.

Click ‘Continue“.  Where it’ll show you a transfer overview including all the estimated fees. “Continue” again, “Confirm” then “Approve the transaction” inside your MetaMask Wallet.

When the bridge has completed its transfer, your MATIC tokens will then appear in your polygon wallet under the list of tokens along with the token balance. Plus they will also be in your MetaMask wallet under the Polygon Network.

Now that you have your MATIC available in your Metamask wallet you can now use Dapps with the polygon network with cheaper and faster transactions.

How to Connect MetaMask to Alternative Networks?

• How to Connect Binance Smart Chain (BSC) to MetaMask Wallet
• Connect Arbitrum Network to MetaMask?
• How to Connect Avalanche Network to MetaMask Wallet