Solana is quickly catching up to Ethereum, especially when you compare the number of transactions on each network; they’re now almost neck and neck. As crypto adoption continues to rise and new blockchains appear every quarter, users often find themselves switching between different wallets to manage their assets.

MetaMask, which first experimented with Solana through Snaps, now offers native support, making Solana the first non-EVM chain available directly within the MetaMask wallet. In this guide, we’ll show you how to use MetaMask to manage your SPL tokens, including how to add and create a Solana account on MetaMask.

Can We Add Solana to MetaMask?

Actually, you can’t add the Solana network to MetaMask the same way you would with other EVM-compatible networks using RPC details. Instead, MetaMask now lets you either create a new Solana account or import an existing one using a private key. This Solana account runs natively alongside your Ethereum accounts, all within the same interface. You can send, receive, swap, bridge, and buy Solana-based tokens, and also interact with Solana dApps; without needing a separate wallet.

Creating a New Solana Account in MetaMask

Solana requires a separate account on MetaMask, so keep in mind that the custom network feature used for adding EVM-compatible networks won’t work here. Instead, this process is similar to creating a new MetaMask account, with a different set of private keys. The key difference is that this account is based on the Solana network, allowing you to hold and trade SPL tokens. Here’s how to create a Solana account on MetaMask:

Step 1: First, access your MetaMask extension and make sure you’re logged into your wallet using your password.

Step 2: Next, click on the “Account” drop-down menu located at the top center of your MetaMask extension.

Step 3: In the Account drop-down, you will see all the accounts created under your current MetaMask wallet. Click on “Add account or hardware wallet” to create a new account.

Step 4: You’ll be given a list of options; New Account, Import, or Connect. Simply click on the “Solana account” option under the “Create a new account” section.

Step 5: Now give your Solana account on MetaMask a name so that it’s easy to distinguish from the rest of your accounts, and then click on “Add account”.

Step 6: Once the account is created, you can now connect your MetaMask wallet to dApps on the Solana network, such as Raydium, or use the wallet address to send or receive SPL tokens using the Solana network.

Importing an Existing Solana Account

Similar to how you could previously import an existing Ethereum wallet using private keys, MetaMask now allows you to import your Solana wallet in the same way. This means you can easily import accounts from wallets like Phantom or Solflare into MetaMask, giving you access to all your networks in one interface, making asset management much more convenient.

Let’s take a look at how you can import an existing Solana account to MetaMask. As an example, we’ll be importing a Phantom wallet account into MetaMask:

Step 1: Start off by opening your MetaMask extension, and then click on the “Accounts” drop-down to access account options.

Step 2: Proceed by clicking on the “Add account or hardware wallet” button.

Step 3: This time, we’ll be using the “Private Key” option under the “Import a wallet or account” section.

Step 4: To get your Solana account private key, head over to your Phantom wallet and copy the Solana account private key.

Step 5: With the private key copied, paste it into the field and click on the “Import” button.

Step 6: Your Solana account will now be added to your MetaMask wallet, and you’ll have access to all the SPL tokens currently stored in that account, directly through MetaMask.

Key Features Available for Solana in MetaMask

MetaMask’s Solana account is not a compromise; meaning, you’re not missing out on any major features by using MetaMask instead of a dedicated Solana wallet like Solflare or Phantom. You still get access to all key features such as:

• Buy & Sell:

Using the Buy and Sell feature, you can directly purchase Solana tokens from within the MetaMask platform. Alternatively, you can buy Solana from a centralized exchange (CEX) and transfer $SOL to your MetaMask wallet using your Solana account address on the Solana network.

• Swap:

The Swap feature allows you to easily swap your SPL tokens, all within the MetaMask interface.

• Bridge:

You can bridge tokens from Solana to other networks, or from other networks to Solana, either using MetaMask’s native bridge or other third-party options.

• DApps:

Yes, you can connect your MetaMask wallet to various dApps on the Solana ecosystem. You might need to click on the “More Wallets” option to find MetaMask, but connecting to dApps like Raydium or DEX platforms like BullX.io is not an issue.

Bottom Line

Having a single wallet to manage multiple networks saves you the hassle of juggling different wallets; keeping Ethereum assets in one, Solana in another, and networks like Cardano requiring separate wallets altogether. While support for all networks under one wallet isn’t available yet, having just Ethereum and Solana (two of the largest ecosystems) in one interface brings major convenience.

However, this also increases the security risk: If that one wallet gets compromised, everything is at risk. There’s no separation, meaning one breach could expose all your assets across multiple networks.

That said, MetaMask’s integration of Solana is a major step forward in simplifying multi-chain access. It’s ideal for users looking to streamline their experience without constantly switching between extensions. Just make sure you take extra precautions; use a strong password, enable biometric or hardware wallet protection, and avoid sharing your private keys.

FAQs

1. Can I connect MetaMask to Solana dApps?

Yes, you can. With MetaMask’s native support for Solana, you can now connect directly to Solana-based dApps such as Raydium, Jupiter, or BullX. In some cases, you may need to click on a “More Wallets” option to find MetaMask listed as a supported wallet.

2. Is it safe to import my Phantom private key into MetaMask?

Technically, yes, but it comes with risks. Importing your Phantom private key into MetaMask gives the wallet full access to your Solana funds. If MetaMask is ever compromised, that account is also at risk. It’s important to store your private key securely, avoid sharing it, and use additional security features like hardware wallets when possible.

3. Can I still use Phantom after importing the key to MetaMask?

Yes. Importing a private key into MetaMask doesn’t remove it from Phantom or affect your ability to use Phantom. Both wallets will have access to the same Solana account, so changes made in one wallet (like sending or receiving tokens) will reflect in the other.

4. Does MetaMask support Solana NFTs?

As of now, MetaMask allows you to view and manage SPL tokens, but support for Solana NFTs is still limited. You may not see your Solana NFTs within the MetaMask interface. For a better NFT experience, you can still use Phantom or other Solana-focused wallets alongside MetaMask.

5. Can I stake SOL directly through MetaMask?

No, MetaMask doesn’t offer native staking features for Solana. To stake SOL, you’ll need to connect your imported Solana account in MetaMask to a Solana staking platform or validator via a dApp (for example, Marinade or Lido on Solana). Once connected, you can delegate your SOL to a chosen validator and earn rewards; MetaMask simply serves as the interface holding your keys.