MetaMask is a popular cryptocurrency wallet and browser extension that allows users to interact with decentralized applications (DApps) on the Ethereum blockchain. With the emergence of layer 2 scaling solutions like Arbitrum, it's essential to manually add the Arbitrum network to MetaMask to access its benefits. This article provides a comprehensive step-by-step guide on adding Arbitrum to MetaMask manually.
Step 1: Open the Network Menu
To begin, open the MetaMask extension in your browser and ensure you are on the Ethereum Mainnet. Click on the network display, usually located in the top center or top right corner of the MetaMask window. A drop-down menu will appear, displaying different networks.
Step 2: Add a Network Manually
In the drop-down menu, scroll to the bottom and click on "Add Network" or "Custom RPC" (Remote Procedure Call) to proceed with adding the Arbitrum network manually.
Step 3: Input Network Details
A new window titled "Add a network manually" or "Custom RPC" will open. Here, you need to provide specific details about the Arbitrum network. Fill in the following information:
- Network Name: Enter "Arbitrum One" or any preferred name for the network.
- New RPC URL: Insert the RPC URL for Arbitrum. The current RPC URL for Arbitrum One is "https://arb1.arbitrum.io/rpc".
- Chain ID: Set the Chain ID to 42161.
- Currency Symbol: Enter the currency symbol for the network, which is usually "ETH" for Ethereum-based networks.
- Block Explorer URL: Provide the URL for the Arbitrum block explorer. The official Arbitrum block explorer URL is "https://arbiscan.io/".
Step 4: Save the Network Details
After inputting the network details, click on the "Save" or "Add" button to save the Arbitrum network configuration. The MetaMask extension will validate the entered information, and once successful, you will see the new network, "Arbitrum One," listed in the network selection drop-down menu.
Step 5: Switch to the Arbitrum Network
To switch to the Arbitrum network, click on the network display again and select "Arbitrum One" from the drop-down menu. MetaMask will switch to the Arbitrum network, and you will be ready to interact with DApps and perform transactions on Arbitrum.
Conclusion:
By manually adding the Arbitrum network to MetaMask, users can seamlessly connect to and utilize the features of the Arbitrum layer 2 scaling solution. With this step-by-step guide, you can confidently add Arbitrum to your MetaMask wallet, enabling you to experience faster and more cost-effective transactions on the Ethereum blockchain. Enjoy the benefits of Arbitrum and explore the exciting world of decentralized applications with MetaMask!