How do I check my contract authorizations in MetaMask?

Understanding Contract Authorizations in MetaMask

1. Contract authorizations allow decentralized applications (dApps) to interact with your tokens on your behalf. When you approve a token spend limit for a specific contract, you are granting permission for that smart contract to transfer tokens from your wallet under predefined conditions. This mechanism is widely used in decentralized exchanges, yield farming platforms, and NFT marketplaces.

2. Over time, users may accumulate numerous authorizations without realizing the potential risks. If a malicious or compromised contract has approval access to your tokens, it could drain your balance if vulnerabilities are exploited. Regular audits of these permissions help maintain control over your digital assets.

3. MetaMask does not natively display active token approvals within its interface, so third-party tools are required to view and manage them effectively. These tools connect to the blockchain to retrieve real-time data about which contracts have spending rights over your tokens.

Tools to Review Active Token Approvals

1. One of the most trusted platforms for checking token approvals is revoke.cash. This tool connects directly to your wallet and scans the Ethereum blockchain for all active ERC-20 token allowances linked to your address. It provides a clear list of approved contracts, the token involved, and the approved amount.

2. Another reliable service is DeBank, which offers a broader financial dashboard for DeFi users. In addition to tracking approvals, it displays your asset distribution across various protocols, lending positions, and borrowing activities. Its security section highlights active token authorizations with one-click revocation options.

3. These tools work across multiple EVM-compatible networks such as BSC, Polygon, Arbitrum, and Optimism. You can switch networks within the platform to audit approvals on different blockchains where you’ve interacted with dApps.

4. Before connecting any third-party site, ensure you are visiting the official URL. Phishing sites often mimic legitimate domains to steal private keys or seed phrases. Always verify website authenticity through community channels or official documentation.

Steps to Revoke Unnecessary Permissions

1. Navigate to revoke.cash and click “Connect Wallet” using your MetaMask extension. Confirm the connection request inside MetaMask without signing any messages unless explicitly required by the tool’s functionality.

2. Once connected, the platform will automatically load all token approvals associated with your wallet. Each entry shows the spender contract address, the token symbol, and the allowance amount—sometimes displayed as “unlimited” if no cap was set during approval.

3. Identify unnecessary or unfamiliar contracts. Sorting by allowance amount helps prioritize revoking unlimited approvals first, as they pose higher risk. Clicking “Revoke” initiates a blockchain transaction that resets the allowance to zero.

4. Confirm the revoke transaction in MetaMask. A small gas fee is required since this action writes data to the blockchain. After confirmation, the contract loses its ability to transfer your tokens.

5. Regularly revisiting these tools ensures ongoing protection against dormant threats. Even previously trusted projects can become targets for exploits, making periodic cleanup essential for long-term security.

Best Practices for Managing Smart Contract Access

1. Always review the exact amount being approved when interacting with dApps. Instead of allowing unlimited access, use tools like MyCrypto’s token approval manager to set precise limits matching your intended usage.

2. Be cautious when using token swapping interfaces that pre-approve maximum amounts by default. While convenient, this practice increases exposure if the contract later becomes compromised.

3. Bookmark trusted audit platforms and schedule monthly checks to clean up old permissions. Treating token approvals like app permissions on a smartphone enhances overall digital hygiene.

4. Avoid interacting with unknown dApps on testnets using your main wallet. Some phishing pages mimic faucets or NFT claim portals but silently request token approvals upon connection.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens when I revoke a token approval?Revoking a token approval sets the spending limit of a contract back to zero. The contract can no longer transfer your tokens until you re-approve it. This does not affect funds already deposited into staking or liquidity pools.

Can someone else revoke my token approvals?No, only the token holder can initiate revocation transactions. Third-party tools merely facilitate the process by generating the correct transaction data; final execution requires your wallet signature.

Are NFT approvals also visible through these tools?Most current tools focus on ERC-20 token approvals. For NFTs (ERC-721 or ERC-1155), different platforms like OpenSea’s account settings or specialized dashboards are needed to manage operator-level access.

Does disconnecting a dApp in MetaMask remove contract approvals?No, disconnecting a dApp only breaks the current session. All prior token approvals remain active on-chain because they are recorded permanently until explicitly revoked via a transaction.