If you are a developer or a crypto builder, you may be wondering how to add Rinkeby Testnet to Metamask and get Testnet ETH to test your products.
The Rinkeby Network was a popular test network for Ethereum Developers. It was a fork of the Ethereum Mainnet that worked as a testing environment. Unfortunately, you cannot add Rinkeby Network to Metamask in 2023.
The Rinkeby Test Network was deprecated by the Ethereum Foundation on October 5th, 2022, following the Ethereum Merge and the release of Ethereum 2.0. This includes its associated faucets for obtaining Testnet ETH.
However … NOT ALL is LOST!
There are alternative Testnets that work similarly to Rinkeby (We will explore them all!)
If you want to add a Testnet to Metamask and begin testing your Ethereum dApps and smart contracts before going live, this is the guide for you!
How to Add GOERLI to Metamask?
Goerli has become the primary Testnet after the Ethereum Merge.
Here’s a quick 6-Step guide to add Goerli to Metamask:
STEP 1. Launch Metamask App and Unlock it
STEP 2. Click on the Network Dropdown Box
STEP 3. Then, click on Show/Hide test networks
STEP 4. Show test networks (Toggle button ON)
STEP 5. Select “Goerli Test Network as your Default Network”
STEP 6. Get Goerli Testnet ETH to your Metamask Wallet
Note: If you wish to add Sepolia Network to Metamask instead of Goerli the process is exactly the same. Select “Sepolia Test Network” instead.
Sinple isn’t it?
If you want a DETAILED, step-by-step guide here’s what we’ll cover:
- Can you Add Rinkeby Network to Metamask?
- What can I use instead of Rinkeby?
- How to add Goerli Testnet to Metamask
- How to Get Tesnet ETH to your Metamask?
- Conclusion
- FAQs
1. Can you Add Rinkeby Network to Metamask?
As previously mentioned in the introduction, you cannot add Rinkeby to Metamask crypto wallet. The Rinkeby and other Testnets such as Ropsten and Kiln were deprecated by the Ethereum Foundation after The Merge.
The Ethereum project executed “The Merge” on September 15, 2022, to improve Ethereum’s efficiency. This day marked Ethereum’s transition from Proof-of-Work (PoW) to a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism.
Simply put, Ethereum Testnets are full-featured clones of the Ethereum Mainnet that use valueless dummy tokens to allow developers to test dApps, protocols, and updates before migrating to Mainnet.
These Blockchain Testnets are difficult to maintain. The Ethereum Foundation has opted to focus on just two of them in the long run: Goerli and Sepolia.
2. What Can I Use Instead of Rinkeby?
The two Testnets that will be maintained post-merge are Goerli and Sepolia.
Goerli is a well-established Testnet with a strong community and infrastructure behind it. This is the network closest to Mainnet, which makes it ideal to test smart contracts and network upgrades.
Sepolia, on the other hand, is a relatively new Testnet with fewer applications deployed. Running a node, on the other hand, is faster and uses less disk space.
This guide will focus on the more robust Testnet, The Goerli Testnet.
3. How to Add Goerli to Metamask
Adding Goerli Network is a straightforward 6-Step process. The Goerli Test Network is already installed on your Metamask wallet but hidden by default.
The only thing you have to do is to enable hidden Testnets and select Goerli from the list.
Note: If you wish to add Sepolia to Metamask, follow the same process and select Sepolia instead of Goerli.
Here are my 6 DETAILED Steps:
STEP 1: Launch Metamask App and Unlock it
The first step is to launch your Metamask browser extension or mobile phone app if you are on an Android or iOS device. Then, unlock it with your hacker-proof password.
Note: If you haven’t installed the Metamask browser extension you can do so here for Chrome or iOS and Android devices.
STEP 2: Click on the Network Dropdown Box
By default, you have the Ethereum Mainnet. Otherwise, Metamask will show the last network you have used (For instance, BNB Chain).
Click on Network Dropdown Box to display all available networks.
STEP 3: Then, click on “Show/Hide test networks.”
Below the selected network, there is a link labeled Show/hide test networks. Simply click on it!
STEP 4: Show test networks (Toggle button ON)
If you select Show/hide test networks, you will be taken to the Metamask settings page. There is a section that says “Show Test Networks” and a toggle button that is off by default.
To enable all testing networks, just toggle the button ON
STEP 5: Select Goerli as your Default Network
The next step is to get back to the Network Dropdown screen, scroll down and select Goerli Test Network from the list. Set it as your default network and you are good to go!
4. How to Get Goerli ETH to your Metamask?
The Final step (or step 6) is to get Goerli ETH (Testnet ETH). This is an ETH test token with no real value. You don’t need to spend any fiat or crypto to acquire them.
Testnet ETH serves to pay fees on the Testnet Networks and can be easily obtained for free via Goerli Faucets like Alchemy’s Goerli Faucet.
To get Testnet ETH from Alchemy’s Goerli Faucet follow these steps:
1. Sign up for a Free Alchemy Account.
Go to https://goerlifaucet.com/ and click on Please Signup or Log in with Alchemy to request ETH. It’s free!
Input your First Name, Last Name, Email, and create a password. Then click on “Sign up.”
An email has been sent to your email address. Click the link in the email to complete signup.
Complete the small questionnaire, select your chain (Ethereum), choose the Free Plan, and hit Let’s Build!
2. Input your Metamask Wallet Address
Following the successful creation of an Alchemy account copy and paste your Metamask wallet address into the box.
3. Click Send Me ETH
When you click Send Me ETH, a transaction hash should appear in the “Your Transactions” table. By clicking on the Transaction Hash, you can view transaction details like how much Goerli Faucet you received and at what gas price.
Note: Goerli has a testnet explorer to browse all transactions on the network.
Connect to the Goerli Testnet and begin testing your smart contracts!
5. Conclusion
How to add Rinkeby Testnet to Metamask? Unfortunately, the Rinkeby Network cannot be added to Metamask. Rinkeby Testnet and other testing networks were deprecated after the Ethereum merge.
However, the Ethereum Foundation decided to focus its efforts and maintain two Testnets: Goerli and Sepolia.
This guide has shown you how to add Goerli to Metamask. The primary Ethereum Testnet after the merge. However, If you want to add Sepolia to Metamask, the process is exactly the same.
To add Goerli to Metamask follow these steps:
- Step 1: Launch Metamask App and Unlock it
- Step 2: Click on the Network Dropdown Box
- Step 3: Then, click on Show/Hide test networks
- Step 4: Show test networks (Toggle button ON)
- Step 5: Select “Goerli Test Network as your Default Network”
- Step 6: Get Goerli Testnet ETH to your Metamask Wallet
Also, we have learned how to get Goerli ETH through Alchemy’s Goerli Faucet. Sign up for a free account, input your Metamask wallet and click send me ETH!
We hope you enjoyed this guide! Check our FAQs if you would like to know more!
6. FAQs
What is Rinkeby Testnet?
Rinkeby Tesnet was an Ethereum Testnet that used a proof-of-authority (POA) blockchain. It was used by developers to test their smart contracts and dApps in a safe, low-stakes environment.
It was deprecated on October 5th, 2022, after the Ethereum Merge.
How do I connect Rinkeby Testnet to MetaMask?
The Rinkeby Testnet was deprecated on October 5th, 2022, and is no longer supported by Ethereum or Metamask. You can no longer connect Rinkeby Testnet to Metamask.
Can I still use Rinkeby?
No. Rinkeby has been deprecated and is no longer supported by Ethereum, Metamask, and Alchemy. All requests to Rinkeby will return HTPP 410 errors.
The Rinkeby Testnet will become read-only until it is permanently shut down in the Summer of 2023.
How do I add Ethereum Testnet to Metamask?
The Testnet networks are already installed on your Metamask Wallet, but they are hidden by default. Go to settings, advanced, and toggle the button ON under show test networks.
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