How to add unlisted tokens (custom tokens) in MetaMask

Adding tokens

Normally, MetaMask displays ERC-20 standard tokens (or standard tokens) you own on your account page. However, with the proliferation of tokens on the Ethereum network, MetaMask doesn't keep an authoritative list--but it does allow you to add any ERC-20 compliant token you hold.

There are two different ways to add unlisted tokens to your MetaMask wallet:

First of all, you can enable an advanced feature which automatically detects tokens held by your address, and add them to your wallet. This will use lists of tokens aggregated from various community token lists; MetaMask doesn't keep a proprietary list of 'accepted' or 'valid' tokens. If you choose this option, keep in mind that you should always exercise caution surrounding unfamiliar tokens:

1. Don’t interact with or connect your wallet to any website that you’re not familiar with, you haven’t researched and have no reason to believe to be trustworthy.
2. Always second-guess an airdropped or unfamiliar token and do your due diligence before interacting with it. 
3. When your transaction fails, and the block explorer will display an error written by the scammer directing you to a website, this is likely a phishing site, so DO NOT click this link. 
4. Keep informed about ways that scammers are trying to steal your funds. Realise there aren’t always adequate safeguards in place for the information you’re seeing around the web to be worth trusting.

The second method of adding tokens to your wallet--if you'd rather not use the automatic service, or if you're holding a less common token that hasn't made it onto community lists yet--is manually adding the token.

Advanced automatic token detection

ONLY AVAILABLE ON ETHEREUM MAINNET

Automatic token detection needs to be enabled by the user. It just takes a few steps. First, click on the identicon in the upper right-hand corner, navigate to 'Settings', and then 'Experimental':

Under 'Use Token Detection', toggle the switch to 'On'. You can always turn this off later.

Go back to your asset list, and refresh if necessary--and hopefully, any tokens you weren't seeing before are there now.

Manually adding a token 

In MetaMask Extension

To see your tokens, click on the Assets tab. Your tokens should be listed under this tab.

If your token is not listed automatically, you may add the tokens manually. On your account page, scroll down to find the Add Token button. This will bring you to a search bar, where you can find popular (standard) tokens easily.

How to use the search bar

You may follow these steps:

1. Type in words contained in the token you would like to search. For example, if I would like to look for Chainlink (Symbol: LINK), I just type in "LI” in the bar, and the search bar will return all the suggestions.
2. Select token of interest, and click Next to proceed. (As soon as you select a token, the button's border will be highlighted in blue)
3. Click Add token to proceed. You will be then redirected to your account page. The token you have just added will be listed.

How to hide the token

Once added, you can Hide the token from your token list as well by clicking the three dots icon in the top right corner, and proceeding to Hide (token name).

If the token you search for is not among the most popular tokens, the search bar may not return the token you queried. In this case, you could add a custom token (manually).

How to add a custom token

1. On the Add Token page, click on the Custom Token tab to expand the search window.
2. Enter the token address in the field called Token Address
3. In most cases, the Token Symbol and Decimals of Precision will autofill, otherwise please follow the points below. Note: if these options are not working, you could also look at the token project's documentation for these details
4. Click Next to proceed
5. You will be redirected to confirm adding a token. Click Add Token to confirm

What if I don’t know the token address?

The token's contract address may vary depending on the network they are hosted on. For token projects on the Ethereum mainnet, you can search through block explorers such as Etherscan or Ethplorer. For tokens on an alternative network, please ensure the correct network is currently selected on your MetaMask and use the corresponding block explorer to search for the token.

You may also ask the person who sends you the tokens for the token's contract address.

Please be aware that if someone told you they have sent you tokens, but they are unable to provide you the token address, or the transaction hash (a unique transaction ID), it’s possible that they haven't in fact done so.

Without the token address, you would not have the information required to track those tokens.

How to add a token using etherscan.io

1. Go to etherscan.io
2. Search for your token
3. Click the three dots icon, on the top right of your Etherscan profile summary
4. Click Add token to web3 wallet
5. Metamask will pop up for you to confirm Add Token