How to add a custom network RPC

Contents:

• Adding via Chainlist
• Adding popular networks quickly
• Adding networks manually

MetaMask can access many more networks than just Ethereum mainnet: you can add any EVM-compatible network. The initialism RPC stands for remote procedure call, a set of protocols that allow a client (such as MetaMask) to interact with a blockchain. Without introducing a significant technical tangent, adding network details using the process below allows MetaMask to use an RPC that enables  you to interact with that network.

Adding via Chainlist

For an easy way of adding networks to MetaMask, go to chainlist.wtf, where you can connect MetaMask and add networks with only a few clicks. See our guide for more information. 

Also, please note that adding a network on one device does not mean it will appear on another device when accessing the same account. If you add it on Extension, it will not automatically be added to your MetaMask Mobile app, and vice versa.

Custom networks will also need to re-added if you uninstall the browser extension or mobile app (after which you'd need to restore your wallet using your Secret Recovery Phrase).

Why am I seeing a question mark icon next to the network name after I add it?

When you add a custom network to MetaMask — i.e. any network other than Ethereum mainnet — you'll see a question mark icon next to it in the network selector. It looks like this:

Don't be concerned! This doesn't mean it's not legitimate or not safe to use. It is intended behaviour and is how any network you add will appear in MetaMask.

Adding popular networks

On both Mobile and Extension, you can easily add several prominent networks with just a tap. These include:

• BNB Chain/BSC
• Polygon
• Avalanche
• Arbitrum
• Optimism
• Palm 
• Fantom 
• Harmony
• Aurora.

You can find this menu using the following steps:

Extension Mobile

From the homepage of your wallet, click on the network selector at the top of the screen, and then on 'Add network':

From here, you should see a list of popular networks ready to add (unless you've added the network already). Tap 'Add' to start the process, and follow the prompts.

1. Tap the hamburger icon in the top-left of the screen.
2. Go to 'Settings', and then to 'Networks'.

3. Here you'll see a list of networks that you've already added. Tap the 'Add Network' button at the bottom of the screen. 

   

4. You should now see a list of networks you can add under the 'Popular' tab, as shown below.

   

5. When you choose to add one of them, you'll be prompted to confirm:

   

   And then you'll get the option to switch immediately to that network. All done!

   

Adding a network manually

The following are instructions for establishing these connections manually:

Extension Mobile

1. Click on the network selector button. This will display a list of networks to which you're already connected:

   

2. Click 'Add network':

   

3. A new browser tab will open, displaying various fields to fill out:

   

   Complete the fields and click save to add the network. 

   The details for the above fields can be found in our network profiles or, alternatively, docs (i.e. developer documentation) or how-to guides for each network. For example:

   • Binance Smart Chain (BSC)
   • Polygon
   • Avalanche. 

   After performing the above steps, you will be able to see the custom network the next time you access the network selector.

1. Tap on the hamburger icon in the top-left:

   

2. Select Settings:

   

3. Select Networks:

   

4. Tap on 'Add Network':

   

5. Fill in the Custom RPC Network details:

   

   The details for the above fields can be found in our network profiles or, alternatively, docs (i.e. developer documentation) or how-to guides for each network. For example:

   • Binance Smart Chain (BSC)
   • Polygon
   • Avalanche. 

   After performing the above steps, you will be able to see the custom network in the networks selector.