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How to Add a Custom Token to MetaMask Manually: Guide

How to Add a Custom Token to MetaMask Manually: Guide

Crypto Regulation & Policy Press Release Expert

Published 2026-05-13

Updated 2026-05-13

How to Add a Custom Token to MetaMask Manually: Guide

After participating in a presale or IDO, your tokens are in your wallet — but MetaMask may not display them automatically. This happens because MetaMask only shows tokens it recognises from its default token list. Any new presale or IDO token needs to be added manually using its contract address. Here is the exact process, taking under 2 minutes.

Step-by-Step: Adding a Token to MetaMask

Find the token contract address. Source it from: the launchpad's official website, the project's official Telegram announcement, or the block explorer (Etherscan, BSCScan, Polygonscan) by searching the token name. Never use a contract address from Telegram DMs — scammers distribute fake contract addresses.
Switch to the correct network in MetaMask. If the token is on Polygon, switch to Polygon Mainnet. If on BNB Chain, switch to BNB Smart Chain. Token will only be visible on the chain it was issued.
In MetaMask, scroll to bottom of the Assets tab and click "Import tokens".
Paste the contract address into the "Token contract address" field. MetaMask auto-populates the symbol and decimals.
Verify the symbol matches what you expect. If the token name looks wrong, you may have the wrong contract address — stop and re-verify.
Click "Add custom token" then "Import tokens". Your balance now appears on the Assets tab.

Where to Find the Contract Address

Launchpad official page: Most launchpads publish the contract address in the project detail page
Project's official Telegram announcement channel (not group — only announcement channels)
Block explorer search: Go to Etherscan/BSCScan → search the token name → verify it's the correct token by checking holders and transaction volume
CoinGecko/CoinMarketCap: Once listed, the contract address appears on the token's page

Token Still Not Showing After Adding?

Verify you're on the correct network — token on Polygon won't show on Ethereum
Verify the claim transaction succeeded (check block explorer with your address)
Wait — some launchpads have delayed distribution; your wallet may not have received the tokens yet
Check if there's a separate claiming step required on the launchpad's website

For how the token claiming process works after an IDO, see our IDO token claiming guide. For wallet setup including MetaMask configuration, see our crypto wallet types guide. For the Polygon network setup guide if your tokens are on Polygon, see our add Polygon to MetaMask guide.

Glossary

Contract Address: The unique blockchain identifier for a specific token — like a postal address for the smart contract that manages the token's supply and transfers.
Token List: MetaMask's curated database of recognised tokens that display automatically — new or obscure tokens not on this list require manual import.
Token Decimals: The divisibility setting of a token (usually 18 for ERC-20) — MetaMask auto-detects this from the contract, but incorrect decimals cause incorrect balance display.

Disclaimer

Important: Always verify contract addresses from official sources. Fake tokens with similar names can appear in searches. This guide is educational only. CryptoPresaleNews.com is not a licensed financial advisor.

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Yara Fernandez Crypto Regulation & Policy Press Release Expert

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Yara Fernandez dives into NFT drops, Latin American crypto art, and GameFi projects that bridge culture and blockchain. As a respected name in crypto journalism, she delivers valuable insights on NFT and Web3 topics from around the world. Her work blends deep research with simplicity, making it easy for readers to understand the fast-moving world of crypto. She focuses on topics related to NFT and Web3 reporting and regularly covers emerging trends, technology updates, and community stories.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions? We have answers!

How do I add a token to MetaMask manually?

6 steps: (1) find the token's contract address from the launchpad's official page or block explorer — never from Telegram DMs, (2) switch MetaMask to the correct network (Polygon, BNB Chain, Arbitrum, etc.), (3) scroll to bottom of Assets tab and click 'Import tokens', (4) paste the contract address — symbol and decimals auto-populate, (5) verify the symbol matches what you expect, (6) click 'Add custom token' → 'Import tokens'. Done in under 2 minutes.

Why don't my presale tokens appear in MetaMask?

Two reasons: (1) the token is not on MetaMask's default token list — requires manual import using the contract address, (2) you haven't received the tokens yet — if a claim step is required on the launchpad, complete it first. Verify receipt by searching your wallet address on the chain's block explorer (Etherscan, BSCScan, Polygonscan) — if the token appears there, it's in your wallet and just needs adding to MetaMask's display.

Where do I find a token's contract address?

Safe contract address sources: (1) launchpad's official project page, (2) project's official Telegram announcement channel (not group), (3) block explorer search — go to Etherscan/BSCScan/Polygonscan, search the token name, verify by checking holder count and transaction history, (4) CoinGecko or CoinMarketCap once listed. Never use contract addresses from: Telegram DMs, Twitter replies, Discord DMs, or unofficial channels — these are scam vectors.

What network should I switch to before adding a token?

Switch to the network where the token was issued: Ethereum token → Ethereum Mainnet, BNB Chain token → BNB Smart Chain (56), Polygon token → Polygon Mainnet (137), Arbitrum token → Arbitrum One, Base token → Base, Solana token → Solana (use Phantom, not MetaMask). The same contract address on different networks is a different token — verify both the address AND the network are correct.

Can I add tokens to MetaMask on mobile?

Yes — MetaMask mobile (iOS and Android) has the same import tokens function. In MetaMask mobile: go to Tokens tab → scroll down → tap 'Import tokens' → paste contract address → verify and import. The process is identical to desktop. Same rules apply: verify contract address from official sources, ensure you're on the correct network, verify symbol after auto-populate.

What if the symbol that auto-populates is wrong?

If the auto-populated symbol doesn't match the expected token: stop immediately. You may have: (1) the wrong contract address — go back and re-verify from official sources, (2) a scam token deployed with a similar name — scammers create fake tokens with similar names to legitimate presale tokens. Never proceed if the symbol doesn't match exactly what you expect.

How do I verify my token balance is correct?

Balance verification: after adding the token, compare the displayed balance against: (1) your launchpad allocation confirmation (what you should have received), (2) block explorer — search your address on Etherscan/BSCScan, find the token transfer in transactions, confirm the amount transferred matches MetaMask display. Decimal errors (balance showing 1000000× too large or small) indicate a token decimals mismatch — contact the launchpad support.

How do I add a token on BNB Chain (BSC)?

BNB Chain token import: (1) ensure MetaMask is on BNB Smart Chain network (Chain ID 56 — add via chainlist.org if not), (2) find the BEP-20 token contract address from the project's official source, (3) verify on BSCScan.com, (4) MetaMask → Import tokens → paste address → verify symbol → add. Process identical to Ethereum — only difference is the network selection. BEP-20 tokens on BSC cannot be added on Ethereum network (wrong chain).

Can I add tokens to Rabby Wallet the same way?

Yes — Rabby Wallet (an alternative to MetaMask) has identical token import functionality. Connect Rabby → find the token in the Assets section → if not showing, use 'Add token' → paste contract address → verify and add. Rabby's additional feature: its transaction simulation warns if a token has suspicious behaviour before you sign any transactions involving it.

What is the risk of adding wrong tokens?

Adding a wrong token contract: you'll see a fake balance (tokens you don't actually own). The risk escalates if you try to trade the fake token — you may approve malicious contracts that can drain your real tokens. Prevention: always source contract addresses from official channels, always verify the symbol auto-populates correctly, and use Etherscan's 'Token Tracker' section to verify the token has legitimate transaction history before adding.

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