How to Add Any EVM Chain to MetaMask: Your 2-Minute Guide

So, you've just had that "aha!" moment with EVM chains. You understand that your MetaMask wallet is a master key, but right now, it only seems to open one door: the Ethereum network. You're hearing about the low fees on Polygon or the fast speeds on Avalanche, and you want to try them out, but you're stuck. You open MetaMask, and there's no obvious button to switch networks.

Don't worry. This is a frustration every single person in crypto has faced. It feels like you're missing a secret step, but I'm here to show you just how easy it is. Learning this one skill is like giving your crypto wallet superpowers.

Let's get you multi-chain ready. There are two main ways to do this: the automatic way (which is incredibly easy) and the manual way (which is good to understand).

The Super Simple Way: Using Chainlist

The easiest and safest method is to use a fantastic tool called Chainlist.org. Think of Chainlist as a public library for EVM chains. It has all the technical details for hundreds of networks stored and ready to go, so you don't have to find them yourself.

Here’s how you do it in three simple steps:

1. Go to Chainlist.org and Connect Your Wallet: In the top right corner, you'll see a "Connect Wallet" button. Click it, and your MetaMask will pop up asking for permission to connect. Go ahead and approve it.
2. Search for the Network You Want: Let's say you want to add the Polygon network. Simply type "Polygon" into the search bar. You'll see "Polygon Mainnet" appear in the results.
3. Add to MetaMask: Next to the search result, there will be a button that says "Add to MetaMask." Click it. MetaMask will pop up again, this time showing you all the network details (the Network Name, RPC URL, Chain ID). It's asking you to confirm that you want to add this network. Click "Approve," and then it will ask if you want to switch to the network. Click "Switch network."

That's it! You're done. If you open your MetaMask wallet now and click the network dropdown at the top left, you'll see you are now connected to the Polygon network. You can repeat this process for Avalanche, BNB Smart Chain, or almost any other EVM chain in seconds.

The Manual Way: Understanding What's Happening

It's also useful to know how to add a network manually, so you understand what Chainlist is doing for you automatically.

1. Open MetaMask and click the network dropdown at the top left.
2. At the bottom of the list, click "Add network."
3. A new screen will open asking for several pieces of information:
• Network Name: A recognizable name, like "Polygon Mainnet."
• New RPC URL: This is the specific address for a node that connects your wallet to the blockchain.
• Chain ID: A unique number that identifies the network.
• Currency Symbol: The native token symbol, like "MATIC."
• Block Explorer URL (Optional): The website for tracking transactions, like "Polygonscan."

You would then have to search for these details online from a trusted source and copy-paste them into the fields. This is why Chainlist is so great—it does all of that for you, preventing any risk of copy-pasting an incorrect or malicious RPC address.

You Are Now a Multi-Chain User

Congratulations! You've just learned one of the most essential skills in crypto. The feeling of being "stuck" on one network is gone. You now have the freedom to explore the entire EVM ecosystem, jumping from one chain to another to find the best opportunities, lowest fees, and most exciting applications.

Now that your wallet is multi-chain ready, it's time to explore. Discover top tokens from Polygon (MATIC), Avalanche (AVAX), and more on BYDFi. Your adventure into the wider world of crypto starts now.

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