If you wish to create NFTs on OpenSea or use decentralized finance (DeFi) applications, such as Uniswap, you may require to use a bridge to connect the platforms. MetaMask is one of the important bridges to decentralized applications (dapps). It is a gateway which allows you access without a centralized authority.
Here we present a simple, step-by-step process on how to add different tokens into a MetaMask wallet. As we already mentioned MetaMask is a bridge to decentralized applications, therefore you need a vehicle to cross the bridge to get access to your digital assets. MetaMask, as the vehicle, requires fuel, for example, Ethereum and other ERC20 tokens, to launch you into the world of decentralization.
Adding Tokens to MetaMask
Ether (ETH) is already added to your MetaMask by default and you do not need to go through this process to start depositing and withdrawing ETH. However, it seems different for other ERC20 tokens; you need to add them to your MetaMask asset tab.
There is a standard protocol for smart contracts on Ethereum called ERC20 tokens. You may already know some of these like Uniswap, VeChain, Chainlink, and several others. Here we learn how to add them to our Assets tab to purchase them later.
First thing first, you have to set up your MetaMask. Let’s see how.
There are very simple steps to install MetaMask: just open the Chrome web store and surf for MetaMask Chrome extension. Find the icon, and click Install. Then click Add Extiontion.
Then, you see a welcome message on your screen. Now you may create your MetaMask wallet. Just click on Get Started and continue to Create a Wallet.
Now that you are all set up, you can add tokens to your MetaMask account. Just go to the main MetaMask account page and click on the assets tab. Here you can choose Add Token at the bottom.
Now click Add token, and search for the type of the token you wish for. Use the search engine to type the words just like any search for words on a search engine. When you find the token you want, you can click on it and add it by choosing Next and add the token. Also, you may search for and add multiple tokens at once.
Now you are able to see the list of your tokens on the Asset tab.
Having your list of tokens, you have the option to swap your choice of token for ETH or other ERC20 tokens on the blockchain. Just click on your token on the assets tab.
Remember that there is a classic way to add tokens. Go to the Custom Token and manually add an address. Here, you have to find the Token Contract Address and paste that onto the Custom Token tab on MetaMask.
The Token Contract Address represents the location of the token contact that is responsible for the logic of the tokens. If it is not easily to find the desired token, take the following steps to add your token to the Assets tab in your MetaMask. Use a block explorer like Etherscan. Type in the web address etherscan.io/tokens and you will have a list where you can search for the specific contract address you are looking for.
You may either scroll down to find the token you look for or go to the top right search bar and find your token to click on.
When you find the page of your chosen token, you will find a series of letters and numbers near the word Contract. Copy the address and go to the add tokens page in your MetaMask extension and click Custom Token.
Click Next, and you add the token to your MetaMask and see it on your assets page again.
Notice that the process is exactly the same for PC or cell phone. Though, you might find it a bit more difficult to copy and paste the Contract Token Address if you are using the mobile app.
NFTs and MetaMask
MetaMask displays NFTs under Collectibles. The process of adding NFTs to MetaMask is quiet the same as other tokens. However, if you are using cell phones, you should notice that some NFTs do not show up on the mobile app under Collectibles, or may not show up correctly. If the application does not show your NFT automatically, try the following to make it appear:
- Find the NFT’s address. For example, go to OpenSea, on the NFT’s page under Details, you find a blue hyperlinked value labelled “Contract Address”. Click on it and it takes you to the contract’s address on Etherscan; at the top-left of that page, there should be an icon labelled “Contract”, and to the right, a long string of letters and numbers. This is the address of the contract that created your NFT. Click on the “copy” icon to the right of the address, and you’ll have it on your clipboard.
- If you have MetaMask on your cell phone, tap on the ‘NFTs’ tab, scroll down and tap on the “+ ADD NFTs” link. Paste the NFT’s address from your clipboard into the “Address” box. Find the NFT’s ID. A collectible’s ID is a unique identifier because no two NFTs are alike. Again, on OpenSea, for example, you can find this number under “Details”. Make a note of it, or copy it onto your clipboard. Now, paste the ID into the box marked “ID” in MetaMask Mobile, choose the “ADD” button, and now you see your NFTs appeared under the NFTs tab.
Finally, you know how to add your tokens to your MetaMask and you are a step closer to take the advantages of the decentralized ecosystem.
