How to Add zkSync Era to MetaMask

Adding zkSync Era to MetaMask

1. Visit Chainlist and connect your MetaMask wallet
2. Search "zkSync" and confirm network details (Chain ID 324)
3. Add to MetaMask and approve request to add network. 

Key Takeaways

• zkSync is a Layer 2 Ethereum network that leverages the zero-knowledge protocol and rollup technology to speed up transaction processing time and save cost while maintaining the security standards on the main network.

• You can connect to zkSync Era, zkSync’s public network, via the MetaMask wallet and explore the available dApps. 

• MetaMask wallet connects to EVM networks using the network’s endpoints. It is used by over 10 million cryptocurrency investors.

Adding zkSync Era to MetaMask

To access zkSync Era, you will need to add the network to your MetaMask wallet. You can follow this guide to install and get started with MetaMask.

To manually add the network, follow the following steps:

1. Log into your MetaMask, click on the network bar in the top left corner, and select Add network from the pop up. 

2. In the next window, scroll to the bottom of the page and click Add a network manually.

3. In the form that pops up, fill in the following RPC details:

• Network Name: zkSync Era Mainnet
• RPC URL: https://mainnet.era.zksync.io
• Chain ID: 324
• Currency Symbol: ETH
• Block Explorer URL: https://explorer.zksync.io/

4. Click Save and the zkSync network can now be accessed via your MetaMask wallet.

5. Now, simply click the drop-down menu beside the network name at the top left corner of your wallet and select zkSync network when you are switching from another network.

Adding zkSync Era to Your MetaMask Wallet Through Chainlist

Another way to add the zkSync Era to your MetaMask wallet is via the ChainList application. Chainlist pools together a comprehensive list of EVM networks and allows users to add them to their wallets through a few simple steps.

You can follow this guide to get started:

1. Visit the ChainList platform and connect your MetaMask Wallet.

2. Search “zkSync” in the search bar at the top of the page.

3. Tap Add to MetaMask and the verified zkSync Era information will be automatically added to your extension.

You can now connect to zkSync network dApps from the MetaMask extension. You may visit the dApp’s website from your Chrome browser to connect to the zkSync network. Meanwhile, MetaMask mobile app users can access the zkSync network via the dApp browser by clicking the menu at the top left corner and selecting “Browser” from the drop-down. 

Details of your  zkSync wallet will be shown once you make the switch. The native token of the zkSync network is ETH at the time of writing, and this is indicated alongside other zkSync assets in your wallet if any. You can also add custom tokens to your wallet.

Adding Custom Tokens to MetaMask

One way to add custom tokens on the zkSync Era mainnet to your zkSync Era wallet is by bridging them to zkSync and obtaining the asset’s parameters from the zkSync Explorer.

First, bridge the assets from the main network to  zkSync Era through zkSync’s bridge and ensure that the asset is supported on both networks.

When you switch to the zkSync network, MetaMask automatically detects and registers some custom assets. If this is not available for your asset, you can proceed to add them manually.

View your wallet on the zkSync Explorer. The asset’s contract address can be obtained from the wallet balance section of the address page.

You can also add custom tokens without visiting your address page on the explorer, and to do this, we will need to obtain the asset’s contract address from the zkSync explorer.

First, navigate to the asset profile from the network’s explorer. We will use USDC, a popular stablecoin, as an example. 

Step 1a: Locate the USDC Token on the Explorer

Visit the zkSync Explorer and click on the caret beside Block Explorer from the landing page, and select Token List from the drop-down menu. 

The Token list page shows the asset name, contract address, and other details that will be needed to register the token in your MetaMask wallet. Copy the contract address for USDC.

USDC's token contract address on zkSync Era is: 0x3355df6d4c9c3035724fd0e3914de96a5a83aaf4

Step 1b: Visit CoinGecko and Retrieve Token Details

Alternatively, you can search for the token you want to add on CoinGecko, and copy the token contract details.

Step 2: Add USDC to Your Wallet

Go to your MetaMask wallet home page and scroll down to the bottom of the asset list and click Import tokens.

Step 3: Import Token to MetaMask

Paste the contract address for USDC in the designated input box, and the other details will load automatically, although you can also enter them manually. Once done, click Add custom token.

This opens up a confirmation window, and select Import tokens to add USDC to MetaMask.

Step 4: Proceed to Transact USDC From Your MetaMask Wallet

Your balances for the added token can be seen in your MetaMask wallet. You can also send and receive the asset as usual. Do note that these transactions will take place on the Layer 2 network.

To use your token on the mainnet, you will need to bridge them via the zkSync bridge. When bridging, ensure that you have enough ETH on your source wallet to pay for the bridging fee.

Adding zkSync Era to MetaMask Mobile Wallet

As briefly mentioned above, you can also access the MetaMask wallet from mobile devices, and the application is available on the Google Play Store and the Apple Store.

The wallet setup procedure is similar to that described for the desktop browser extensions, with some minor modifications.

Step 1: Wallet Creation

Follow the procedure described for the browser extensions to create new MetaMask wallet accounts or import your existing wallet to the mobile wallet. As mentioned above, do read the security tips that follow and store your wallet’s seed phrases offline and in a secure location, using crypto steel if possible.

Step 2: Adding the zkSync Era Network to Your Mobile Wallet

To add the zkSync network, click on the network menu at the top of your wallet homepage, then select Add Network.

Click “Add a network” from the menu that pops up, and navigate to “Custom network” before adding the zkSync network details provided above. Click “Add” to add the network.

Now you can access the zkSync network from your mobile wallet.

Step 3: Other Controls

On the top left of the screen, there are additional options available from the breadcrumb menu bar. These include features like tracking your previous activity, sharing your public address, and viewing your wallet address history on the explorer. There is also an option to lock your wallet, which essentially logs you out and requires you to enter your password to unlock it. 

The MetaMask dApp Browser

MetaMask mobile wallet has an in-built dApp browser that enables you to explore decentralized applications from your mobile device. Switch to zkSync and select “Browser” from the bottom of the screen.

Enter the link to the platform on the search bar to visit the dApp and you'll be able to connect your MetaMask wallet to the dApp. Do keep track of what applications you've connected your wallet to, and what permissions you've granted them. 

Final Thoughts

Now that you have the zkSync network added to your MetaMask wallet, you're now able to explore the zkSync ecosystem and the application running on the blockchain, hold your zkSync Era network tokens, and transact with your peers on the network. However, always consider other factors that might cause breaches and maintain your account security. Also, always verify the authenticity of provided links before accessing them from your dApp browser.

Also, be wary of the signed smart contracts and how they interact with your wallet. As a standard, apply caution while interacting with high-level computing protocols and make your own research before investing in any cryptocurrency. Note that this article is only informative and not financial advice.