How to Add the Solana Network to Metamask

Adding Solana to Metamask takes four steps and takes about two minutes

Metamask is primarily an Ethereum wallet, but you can add other blockchains to it, including Solana. To add Solana, you open Metamask, click the network selector at the top, choose "Add a network," and enter Solana's network details. Metamask will then show Solana alongside Ethereum and any other networks you have added. Once Solana is added, you can switch between networks by clicking the selector again and choosing Solana.

The process is the same whether you use Metamask on desktop, Chrome, Firefox, or the mobile app. You do not need to create a new wallet or reinstall anything — Metamask simply adds a new network to your existing account.

Key Takeaways

Metamask stores your private keys locally, so adding Solana does not send your information anywhere or require approval from Metamask staff.
Solana's network details (RPC URL, chain ID, currency symbol) are public information that you enter manually or Metamask can fetch automatically.
After adding Solana, your existing Metamask wallet address will not work on Solana — you need a separate Solana address to receive SOL tokens.
Switching between Ethereum and Solana in Metamask is as simple as clicking the network dropdown and selecting the one you want.

Step-by-step: Adding Solana network to Metamask

Open Metamask and look at the top of the window or app. You will see a button showing the current network — usually "Ethereum Mainnet" or similar. Click that button to open the network menu.

At the bottom of the menu, click "Add a network." Metamask will open a form asking for network details. You have two options: let Metamask fetch the details automatically, or enter them yourself.

If you want Metamask to fetch them, type "Solana" in the search field and select the official Solana Mainnet from the list. Metamask will fill in the details for you. If you prefer to enter them manually, use these values: Network Name: Solana, RPC URL: https://api.mainnet-beta.solana.com, Chain ID: 101, Currency Symbol: SOL, Block Explorer URL: https://solscan.io. Click "Save" when done.

Metamask will add Solana to your network list. You can now click the network button at the top and switch to Solana whenever you want to interact with Solana-based applications or tokens.

Why your Metamask address does not work on Solana

Metamask generates addresses based on the blockchain you are using. Your Ethereum address (starting with 0x) is derived from your private key using Ethereum's system. Solana uses a different system and generates addresses that look completely different — they are longer and use a different character set.

When you add Solana to Metamask, your private key stays the same, but Metamask cannot use it to create a valid Solana address. If you try to send SOL tokens to your Ethereum address, they will be lost. You need a separate Solana wallet to receive Solana tokens. You can create one through Phantom (the most common Solana wallet), Solflare, or other Solana-compatible wallets, or you can use a hardware wallet like Ledger that supports both Ethereum and Solana.

Switching between networks in Metamask

Once you have added Solana, switching between it and Ethereum is straightforward. Click the network button at the top of Metamask — it shows whichever network is currently active. A dropdown menu will appear listing Ethereum Mainnet, Solana, and any other networks you have added.

Click the network you want to use. Metamask will switch to that network immediately. Any tokens or balances you see will now be from that network. If you have SOL tokens in a Solana wallet connected to Metamask, they will appear when you switch to Solana. If you switch back to Ethereum, you will see your Ethereum tokens instead.

What happens after you add Solana

Adding Solana does not automatically connect you to any Solana applications or give you SOL tokens. It simply tells Metamask to recognize the Solana network. To actually use Solana, you need SOL tokens in a Solana address, and you need to connect that address to a Solana application (like a decentralized exchange or NFT marketplace).

When you visit a Solana application and click "Connect Wallet," Metamask will ask which account you want to use. If you have only one account, it will connect that account to Solana. Keep in mind that your Metamask account address is still an Ethereum address — it will not work on Solana. You will need to fund a separate Solana address first, then connect that address to Solana applications instead.

Removing Solana from Metamask if you no longer need it

If you decide you do not want Solana in your network list anymore, you can remove it. Click the network button at the top, find Solana in the list, and look for a delete or remove icon (usually three dots or a trash icon next to the network name). Click it and confirm the removal. Solana will disappear from your network list, though your private key and Ethereum account remain unchanged.

Removing a network from Metamask does not delete any tokens or accounts associated with it — it simply hides the network from your view. If you add Solana again later, the network will work the same way.

Using Solana with hardware wallets

If you use a hardware wallet like Ledger or Trezor with Metamask, adding Solana works the same way. However, hardware wallets have their own limitations. Ledger supports Solana natively through the Ledger Live app and also through Phantom wallet, but connecting Ledger to Metamask for Solana transactions may not work the way it does for Ethereum — Metamask was built for Ethereum first, and hardware wallet support for other blockchains varies.

Before adding Solana to a hardware wallet setup, check the wallet manufacturer's documentation to confirm they support Solana through Metamask. In most cases, you will have better results using Phantom or Solflare for Solana, and keeping Metamask for Ethereum.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pay gas fees to add Solana to Metamask?

No. Adding a network to Metamask is a local change — it only modifies your Metamask settings. No transaction happens on any blockchain, so there are no gas fees. You only pay fees when you actually send tokens or interact with applications on Solana.

Will adding Solana affect my Ethereum wallet or tokens?

No. Adding Solana is purely additive. Your Ethereum account, private key, and tokens remain exactly as they are. Switching between networks in Metamask does not move or change anything — it just changes which blockchain Metamask is looking at.

What if I enter the wrong RPC URL for Solana?

If you enter an incorrect RPC URL, Metamask will not be able to connect to the Solana network. You will see an error when you try to use it. Go back to the network settings, click Solana, and correct the RPC URL. Use the official URL (https://api.mainnet-beta.solana.com) or let Metamask fetch it automatically to avoid mistakes.

Can I use the same seed phrase for both Ethereum and Solana wallets?

Your Metamask seed phrase controls your Ethereum account. It does not automatically create a Solana account — Solana uses a different derivation system. If you want to use the same seed phrase for Solana, you need a wallet that supports both, like Phantom or a hardware wallet. Metamask alone cannot do this.

Is it safe to add Solana to Metamask?

Yes. Adding a network to Metamask is safe — you are only entering public information about the network. Your private key stays on your device and is never shared. The risk comes only if you send tokens to the wrong address or connect to a fraudulent application, which are user errors, not problems with adding the network itself.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.