Adding a custom network to your hot wallet lets you interact with protocols and tokens that live outside Ethereum mainnet. Short answer: lower gas fees and faster transactions on many EVM-compatible chains. Longer answer: you can connect to Polygon to save on fees, to BSC (Smart Chain) to access BEP20 tokens, or to Avalanche C-Chain for DApps that run there — all without leaving your wallet. I've been using multiple networks daily for months, and the practical difference in cost and speed is real.
Why would you do this? Two quick reasons. First, cost: some networks have tiny gas fees compared with Ethereum mainnet. Second, access: many DeFi apps and bridges only operate on specific chains.
Prepare the following before you add a network:
And yes, that RPC URL matters. Always copy settings from an official source (project docs or a block explorer). If you're unsure, check the chain's official docs or the detailed page on this site (for example Add Polygon, Add BSC Network, or Add Avalanche).
But don’t paste your seed phrase into any site that promises one-click configuration. Ever.
This only takes a minute. On desktop I usually add networks before connecting to a dApp so I can confirm chain and token balances immediately.
![add-network-screenshot-placeholder]
Mobile screens are smaller, so double-check each field before saving. I once mistyped a chain ID; the wallet accepted it but transactions failed until I corrected the number — frustrating, but an easy fix.
Below are common example entries used by many users. Verify before pasting.
| Network | RPC URL (example) | Chain ID | Currency | Block explorer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polygon (Matic) Mainnet | https://polygon-rpc.com | 137 | MATIC | https://polygonscan.com |
| BSC (Smart Chain) Mainnet | https://bsc-dataseed.binance.org/ | 56 | BNB | https://bscscan.com |
| Avalanche (C-Chain) Mainnet | https://api.avax.network/ext/bc/C/rpc | 43114 | AVAX | https://snowtrace.io |
Note: these are example public RPCs. You can use alternative or private RPC providers for better reliability or privacy.
If you're searching for "polygon connect metamask" or "polygon matic connect to metamask," these are the exact kinds of values you'll paste. For BSC, follow the steps labeled "setup metamask to connect to bsc mainnet" and use the Smart Chain RPC and Chain ID. Yes, MetaMask supports BSC and will display BEP20 tokens when connected to that network, because BSC is an EVM-compatible chain.
Switching networks is like changing tabs in a browser — balances and dApp availability change immediately. Your token list is network-specific. ERC-20 tokens on Ethereum won't appear while you're on Polygon, and BEP20 tokens are only visible when connected to Smart Chain. MetaMask supports EVM-compatible networks only, so non-EVM chains (Solana, for example) won't work here — see Solana limitations if you need those.
Gas fees are paid in the native token of the active chain (MATIC, BNB, AVAX). Fees and fee mechanics can differ: some networks implement EIP-1559-style fields, others have priority fee models; that affects how you set gas or priority fees (see Gas fees & EIP-1559).
dApp connections: many decentralized applications will prompt your wallet to switch networks when you connect. WalletConnect can be a helpful bridge between mobile and desktop dApps — read WalletConnect guide for details.
A personal note: I once approved an allowance without checking the contract thoroughly and had to revoke it after spotting suspicious behavior. That taught me to audit approvals regularly.
Who this is best for:
Who should look elsewhere or take precautions:
If you want a step-by-step on account creation, check Install & setup and Create & restore wallet.
Q: Is it safe to keep crypto in a hot wallet? A: Hot wallets are convenient for daily use but carry higher risk than cold storage. For large holdings, consider hardware wallets (see Hardware wallets overview).
Q: How do I revoke token approvals? A: Use the revoke tools linked in your wallet or third-party revocation sites, and confirm actions in your wallet. See Token approvals & revoke for steps.
Q: What happens if I lose my phone? A: Restore from your seed phrase on a new device. If you didn't back up your seed phrase, recovery may be impossible. See Lost phone recovery and Backup & recovery: seed.
Q: Can MetaMask handle BEP20 tokens? A: Yes—when you're connected to the Smart Chain (BSC) network, MetaMask will show BEP20 tokens because BSC is EVM-compatible.
Adding Polygon, BSC, or Avalanche to your software wallet opens lower-fee DeFi and new dApp ecosystems. The process is straightforward on both desktop and mobile, but accuracy matters: double-check RPC, Chain ID, and explorer URLs before saving. In my experience, spending five minutes to verify settings saves far more time and frustration later.
Ready to add a specific chain? Use these focused guides to complete the setup: Add Polygon, Add BSC Network, Add Avalanche. For help with dApp connections after adding a network, see Connect dApps and WalletConnect guide.
If you're unsure about security settings or backup options, check Security best practices and Backup & recovery: seed before making transfers.