In this guide, we explain how to connect Polygon Network to MetaMask, so you can access decentralized apps and DeFi platforms at a fraction of the cost of Ethereum.
MetaMask has always been the go-to wallet for accessing the Ethereum network. However, users are becoming increasingly frustrated with the sky-high GAS fees when interacting with the Ethereum network. Users are now searching for ways to reduce their costs and Polygon Network (formerly known as MATIC) is a potential solution.
So, let’s dive in and find out how to add Polygon Network to Metamask and access Dapps at a fraction of the cost.
How to Add Polygon to MetaMask Wallet
Time needed: 15 minutes.
In this guide, we will provide you with the details that you will need to add to connect Polygon Network to a MetaMask wallet. 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 you can back up and restore your wallet in case something goes wrong.
- Download MetaMask
- Create a MetaMask Wallet
- Add Network to MetaMask
- Add Polygon Network to MetaMask
- Save Polygon Network to your MetaMask Wallet
- Deposit MATIC Tokens to Pay for the GAS Fees
Step 1: Download MetaMask
To start connecting 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
- Chain ID: 137
- Symbol: MATIC
- Block Explorer URL: https://polygonscan.com/
Step 4: Save Polygon Network to your MetaMask Wallet
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
Step 5: Deposit Tokens to Pay for GAS Fees
You will need to add MATIC tokens to your Metamask wallet to pay for the GAS fees. Please make sure you sent the MATIC tokens on the correct network.
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 Ethereum 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.
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.
Check out our beginner’s guide to MetaMask for more information.
What is the Polygon Network?
Polygon is a layer-2 scaling solution that improves the functionality of the Ethereum blockchain by increasing its network scalability and overall transaction speed. 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 on popular centralised exchanges such as the likes of Binance, FTX or Crypto.com or on decentralised exchanges like UniSwap or SushiSwap.
6 Responses
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The “Chain ID” is giving an error if using “137”, the error message is “Could not fetch chain ID. Is your RPC URL correct?”.
Any advice?
Hi Sam, thank you for pointing this out and sorry for the late reply. It looks like something had changed. I have now updated the Polygon config details, but you can also check with the Polygon Developers site to be 100%. https://docs.polygon.technology/docs/develop/metamask/config-polygon-on-metamask/
I did this and apparently overwrote an ethereum account with a small bit of ETH in it because that no longer appears.
Trying to figure out how to get that back. Can see correct amount of ETH on etherscan.io
Add the Ethereum network on MetaMask again and the ETH should be there