How to revoke token approvals in Trust Wallet?

Understanding Token Approvals in Trust Wallet

1. Token approvals in Trust Wallet allow smart contracts or decentralized applications (dApps) to access specific amounts of your tokens. When you interact with a DeFi platform or NFT marketplace, you often grant permission for the platform to spend your tokens on your behalf. This approval is recorded on the blockchain and remains active until manually revoked.

2. Leaving unnecessary approvals active poses a security risk. If a dApp you've approved gets compromised, malicious actors could potentially drain your approved tokens. Revoking unused approvals minimizes exposure and enhances wallet security.

3. Trust Wallet itself does not offer a direct interface to revoke approvals. Instead, users must interact with the Ethereum or compatible blockchain network directly using tools that support contract interaction. This process requires connecting your Trust Wallet to a third-party revocation service.

4. The approval mechanism operates through the ERC-20 standard on Ethereum and similar implementations on BNB Chain and other EVM-compatible networks. Each approval is a transaction that sets an allowance for a specific contract address to transfer tokens from your wallet address.

5. Users should regularly audit their active approvals, especially after using new dApps or participating in token swaps. Monitoring these permissions helps maintain control over digital assets and prevents unauthorized access.

Steps to Revoke Approvals Using Third-Party Tools

1. Open Trust Wallet and navigate to the browser feature. Use it to visit a trusted token approval revocation platform such as Revoke.cash or Blockaid.io. These tools are designed to help users manage and cancel token allowances securely.

2. Connect your Trust Wallet to the revocation website by selecting the wallet connect option or injecting your wallet through the in-app browser. Ensure the website URL is correct and the connection is secure before proceeding.

3. Once connected, the tool will scan your wallet’s transaction history and display a list of active token approvals. Each entry shows the token name, the contract address with spending rights, and the approved amount.

4. Review the list carefully. Identify approvals for dApps you no longer use or don’t recognize. Select the approvals you wish to revoke. The tool will prepare a blockchain transaction to reset the allowance to zero.

5. Confirm the revoke transaction in Trust Wallet. A small gas fee will be charged in the native network token (e.g., ETH, BNB). After confirmation, the smart contract will no longer have permission to access the specified tokens.

Best Practices for Managing Token Permissions

1. Always revoke approvals after completing a transaction on a DeFi platform or NFT marketplace. Treat approvals like temporary access passes that should be canceled once their purpose is fulfilled.

2. Use revocation tools periodically to audit your wallet. Regular audits reduce the attack surface and protect your holdings from dormant threats. Automated scanners can detect high-risk contracts linked to known exploits.

3. Avoid granting unlimited allowances. When possible, approve only the exact amount needed for a transaction. Some dApps allow manual input of allowance values, giving you greater control over exposure.

4. Be cautious when connecting your wallet to unfamiliar dApps. Phishing sites can mimic legitimate platforms and trick users into granting approvals. Double-check URLs and verify contract addresses before confirming any transaction.

5. Never share your seed phrase or private key with any service, including revocation tools. These platforms interact with your wallet without requiring sensitive credentials. Legitimate tools only request transaction signing, not account access.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I revoke approvals without paying gas fees?

No, revoking token approvals requires a blockchain transaction, which incurs a gas fee. The fee is paid to miners or validators for processing the transaction that resets the allowance. Some platforms offer batch revocation to minimize the number of transactions and reduce overall costs.

Does revoking an approval affect my token balance?

No, revoking an approval does not alter your token balance. It only removes the spending permission granted to a specific contract. Your tokens remain in your wallet, and you retain full control over them.

Can I undo a revoked approval?

Yes, if you need to interact with a dApp again after revoking its approval, you can re-approve the token when prompted. The dApp will initiate a new approval request, which you must sign to restore spending permissions.

Are token approvals only relevant on Ethereum?

No, token approvals exist on all EVM-compatible blockchains such as BNB Chain, Polygon, and Avalanche. The process for revoking them is similar across networks, though you may need to use network-specific tools or switch networks within the revocation platform.