WalletConnect is an open-source protocol that lets you securely connect your mobile wallet to decentralized applications (DApps) on a PC or other devices. It is one of the most universal standards for linking wallets and DApps, supported by virtually all major wallets and DApps. This article provides a detailed guide on how to use WalletConnect.
What Is WalletConnect?
WalletConnect is an end-to-end encrypted communication protocol used to establish a secure connection between a wallet and a DApp. Its core function is enabling mobile wallets to connect to desktop DApps without installing a wallet extension on the PC.
Advantages of WalletConnect
- Cross-device connection: Connect a mobile wallet to a PC DApp without exposing your private keys on the PC
- High security: Data is transmitted via end-to-end encryption, preventing man-in-the-middle attacks
- Broad compatibility: Supports hundreds of wallets and thousands of DApps
- No extension required: No need to install MetaMask or other browser extensions on the PC
- Multi-chain support: Works with Ethereum, BSC, Polygon, and many more chains
WalletConnect V2 Improvements
WalletConnect has been upgraded to V2, with major improvements over V1:
- Supports connecting to multiple chains simultaneously
- More stable connections
- More flexible session management
- Significantly improved performance
What Is the Basic Process for Using WalletConnect?
Scenario 1: Connecting a Mobile Wallet to a PC DApp
This is the most common use case. Here are the steps:
On the PC:
- Open a DApp in your browser (e.g., Uniswap, OpenSea)
- Click "Connect Wallet"
- Select "WalletConnect" from the wallet options
- A QR code appears on the page
On your phone: 5. Open your mobile wallet (e.g., Trust Wallet, MetaMask Mobile) 6. Find the "WalletConnect" or "Scan" feature 7. Scan the QR code displayed on the PC 8. A connection request appears in the wallet 9. Confirm the connection
Once connected, the PC DApp will display your wallet address. When you perform actions in the DApp, transaction requests are pushed to your mobile wallet for signature confirmation.
Scenario 2: Connecting via Link
Besides QR codes, WalletConnect also supports connecting via links:
- On the DApp's WalletConnect connection page
- Click "Copy Link"
- Paste the link into the WalletConnect feature of your mobile wallet
- Confirm the connection
Where to Find WalletConnect in Different Wallets?
MetaMask Mobile
- Open the MetaMask app
- Tap the scan icon in the upper right corner
- Scan the WalletConnect QR code
- Confirm the connection request
Trust Wallet
- Open Trust Wallet
- Tap the scan icon in the upper right corner
- Or find "WalletConnect" in settings
- Scan the QR code
- Confirm the connection
Binance Web3 Wallet
- Open the Binance app (Apple users, see the iOS installation guide) and go to the Web3 wallet
- Find the "Connect DApp" or scan feature
- Scan the WalletConnect QR code
- Confirm the connection
OKX Web3 Wallet
- Open the OKX app's Web3 wallet
- Tap scan to connect
- Scan the QR code
- Confirm the connection
How to Sign Transactions After Connecting with WalletConnect?
Once connected, when operating on the PC DApp:
- Initiate a transaction in the DApp (e.g., Swap, NFT purchase)
- The DApp sends the transaction request to your phone via WalletConnect
- Your mobile wallet receives a push notification
- Open the wallet to review the transaction details
- Confirm or reject the transaction
- Once confirmed, the transaction executes on-chain
Throughout this process, your private keys remain on your phone and are never transmitted to the PC.
How to Manage and Disconnect WalletConnect Sessions?
View Active Connections
Most wallets offer WalletConnect connection management:
- Find "WalletConnect" or "Connected DApps" in wallet settings
- View all active WalletConnect connections
- Each connection shows the DApp name and connection time
Disconnect
- Go to the connection management page
- Find the DApp you want to disconnect
- Tap "Disconnect"
- Confirm disconnection
Tip: Disconnect from DApps when you're not using them to reduce potential risks.
What to Do If WalletConnect Connection Fails?
Common issues and solutions:
QR code scan failure:
- Make sure the QR code is complete and clear
- Check your network connection
- Regenerate the QR code
Connection timeout:
- WalletConnect QR codes have an expiration period — regenerate if expired
- Check both phone and PC network connections
- Try switching network environments
Not receiving transaction requests:
- Confirm the wallet app is running in the background and push notifications are enabled
- Check whether the WalletConnect session is still active
- Try disconnecting and reconnecting
Safety Tips
When using WalletConnect, keep these security practices in mind:
- Verify the DApp source: Only use WalletConnect on DApps you trust
- Read signature contents carefully: Carefully review every transaction and signature request on your mobile wallet
- Don't scan unknown QR codes: QR codes from unknown sources may connect to malicious DApps
- Clean up connections regularly: Disconnect sessions you no longer use
- Update your wallet: Use the latest wallet version to ensure WalletConnect V2 compatibility
- Watch for signature types: Distinguish between regular transaction signatures and approval signatures — be extra cautious with approvals
Is WalletConnect Free?
The WalletConnect protocol itself is completely free to use. You only pay on-chain gas fees for transactions, which are unrelated to the connection method.
Do All Wallets Support WalletConnect?
The vast majority of mainstream mobile wallets support WalletConnect, including MetaMask, Trust Wallet, Rainbow, imToken, Binance Web3 Wallet, OKX Web3 Wallet, and more. A few wallets may only support the V1 version.
Is WalletConnect Secure?
WalletConnect uses end-to-end encrypted communication, offering a high level of security. Your private keys never leave your phone during the connection process. The main security risk comes from whether the connected DApp itself is safe, not the WalletConnect protocol.
Can I Use WalletConnect with a Hardware Wallet?
Yes, indirectly. First connect your hardware wallet to a mobile wallet app (e.g., MetaMask Mobile connected to Ledger), then use WalletConnect to link the mobile wallet to a PC DApp.
Can WalletConnect V1 and V2 Be Used Simultaneously?
It depends on the DApp and wallet support. Most DApps and wallets have already migrated to V2. If a DApp only supports V1 but your wallet only supports V2, you may not be able to connect. Using the latest versions of both wallets and DApps is recommended.