How to Connect MetaMask to zkSync? Layer 2 Setup Tutorial

MetaMask Installation and Configuration

1. Visit https://metamask.io/download/ and install the extension for your preferred browser or mobile device.

2. Launch MetaMask and create a new wallet by setting a secure password and securely backing up the 12-word recovery phrase.

3. Confirm wallet creation and ensure the default network is set to Ethereum Mainnet before proceeding.

4. Click the network selector in the top-right corner and choose “Custom RPC” to manually add zkSync Era.

5. Input the following parameters: Network Name: zkSync Era, New RPC URL: https://mainnet.zksync.io, Chain ID: 324, Currency Symbol: ETH, Block Explorer URL: https://explorer.zksync.io.

Adding zkSync Era to MetaMask via Chainlist

1. Navigate to https://chainlist.org/chain/324 using the same browser where MetaMask is installed.

2. Click the “Connect Wallet” button and approve the connection request within MetaMask.

3. Scroll down and locate the “Add to MetaMask” button, then click it.

4. A pop-up will appear inside MetaMask requesting permission to add the network; click “Approve”.

5. Once confirmed, MetaMask will automatically switch to the zkSync Era network and display its name in the network dropdown.

Depositing ETH from Ethereum Mainnet to zkSync

1. Go to https://portal.zksync.io and connect your MetaMask wallet.

2. Select “Deposit” and choose ETH as the token to transfer.

3. Enter an amount — at least 0.02 ETH is recommended to ensure sufficient balance for interactions.

4. Click “Deposit”, then confirm the transaction in MetaMask; this initiates a Layer 1 transaction with gas fees.

5. Wait for the deposit to be finalized on zkSync Era, which usually takes between 5–15 minutes depending on Ethereum congestion.

Performing First zkSync Transactions

1. After deposit confirmation, return to the zkSync portal and click “My Wallet” to view your Layer 2 balance.

2. Click “Transfer”, enter a recipient address, select ETH, and input the desired amount.

3. No gas fee in ETH is required — instead, the system deducts a minimal amount of ETH for computational proof generation.

4. Confirm the transfer in MetaMask; the transaction will appear almost instantly in the “Transactions” tab.

5. Verify success by checking the recipient’s zkSync wallet or viewing the transaction hash on https://explorer.zksync.io.

Withdrawing Funds Back to Ethereum Mainnet

1. From the zkSync portal, navigate to “Withdraw” and select ETH.

2. Input the amount you wish to withdraw — note that withdrawals require a waiting period of approximately 1 hour for proof finalization.

3. Confirm the withdrawal action in MetaMask; this triggers a Layer 2-to-Layer 1 commitment process.

4. After the waiting period ends, go to the “Finalize Withdrawal” section and click “Finalize”.

5. Confirm the second MetaMask transaction to complete the settlement on Ethereum Mainnet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Why does my zkSync wallet show zero balance even after depositing?It may take several minutes for the deposit to reflect. Check the transaction status on https://explorer.zksync.io using the Layer 1 deposit hash.

Q2: Can I use ERC-20 tokens other than ETH on zkSync Era?Yes — any ERC-20 token supported by the zkSync bridge can be deposited, including USDC, DAI, and WBTC, provided they are enabled on the portal.

Q3: Is it possible to interact with zkSync dApps without depositing first?No — all on-chain activity requires native ETH or bridged tokens held directly in your zkSync account; wallet balances on Ethereum Mainnet are not accessible on Layer 2.

Q4: What happens if I send ETH directly to my zkSync wallet address on Ethereum Mainnet?That ETH will be irretrievably lost — funds must always flow through the official zkSync bridge contract to be recognized and credited on Layer 2.