Add custom tokens and hide spam tokens

Table of contents

• Quick overview
• Who this guide is for
• Step-by-step: How to add token (by contract)
  • Example: EVM-compatible token (ERC-20 style)
• Manage and hide spam tokens
• Common token types — how to add
• Troubleshooting: token not showing
• Security best practices (verify before you add or interact)
• Advanced tips & dApp integration
• FAQ
• Further reading and next steps

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Quick overview

Adding a custom token in Trust Wallet is usually a two-minute job: you paste a token contract address, confirm the network, and the wallet pulls the token symbol and decimals. But not everything is that neat. Some tokens are on non-EVM chains, some projects reuse symbols, and scam tokens try to trick users with lookalike names (yes, that happened to me once). This guide shows how to add custom tokens and how to hide or remove spam tokens so your asset list stays useful.

Who this guide is for

• You want to add a newly launched token to your Trust Wallet (add custom token trust wallet).
• You received a token that doesn't appear automatically and need to add it by contract (trust wallet add token by contract).
• Your asset list is cluttered with airdrop spam and you want to hide or remove it (hide spam tokens trust wallet).

If you prefer working on desktop dApps, see how mobile-first design affects daily use and check dApp browser & WalletConnect for alternatives.

Step-by-step: How to add token (by contract)

The steps below apply to both iOS and Android. App UI changes from time to time; names like “Manage” or a plus icon (+) are common entry points.

1. Open the wallet and go to the main Wallet tab.
2. Tap the "Manage" or "+" icon (usually top-right) to see the token list.
3. Select the right network first. Why? A token contract address is valid only on its chain. If you paste an Ethereum contract into the BSC list, nothing will match.
4. Tap "Add Custom Token" (or "Add Token") and paste the token contract address copied from a trusted source (block explorer or the project's website).
5. Wait for auto-fill. The app should fetch Token Name, Symbol, and Decimals. If not, enter them manually — decimals matter for correct balances.
6. Save. The token will appear in your wallet (you may need to toggle "Show zero balance tokens").

Example short checklist: copy contract → open Manage → choose network → paste contract → verify symbol/decimals → Save.

Example: EVM-compatible token (ERC-20 style)

If you want a token on an EVM-compatible network (BSC, Polygon, Avalanche C‑Chain, etc.), make sure you're on the matching network view inside the wallet before pasting the contract. I once added a token on the wrong chain and then panicked when the balance didn’t show up (easy fix: switch network). And yes, always double-check the explorer (Etherscan, BscScan, Polygonscan) for the official contract address.

Manage and hide spam tokens

Hiding spam tokens doesn't remove them from the blockchain — it only keeps your wallet UI clean.

• Use the Manage screen toggles to hide tokens you don't want to see. This is the fastest method.
• Toggle off “Show zero balance tokens” if you prefer to see only assets that hold funds.
• For persistent custom tokens you no longer want, edit or remove them from the custom token list (if your app version supports removal). If you can’t remove it, hiding is the safe option.

But remember: hiding a token only affects display. If an app has a transfer approval for that token, the approval remains until revoked. See revoke approvals and allowances to clean up permissions.

Common token types — how to add

Token standard	How to add inside Trust Wallet	Quick notes
ERC-20 / BEP-20 / other EVM-compatible	Paste the token contract on the correct network view and save	Check Etherscan/BscScan for the official address and decimals
SPL (Solana)	Use the token address on Solana or let the wallet auto-detect when receiving	Solana tokens don’t use EVM contracts — use Solscan to verify
Native coins (BTC, BNB native, etc.)	Already supported — no contract to add	These are network-native and don’t appear under custom tokens

(Placeholder image: token-types-table)

For a deeper primer on token standards and bridging, see token standards and bridges and supported chains and tokens.

Troubleshooting: token not showing

Why doesn’t the token appear after adding it? Try these checks:

• Did you pick the right network? (Most problems are this.)
• Is the contract address copied exactly? A single wrong character equals a different contract.
• Does the token use unusual decimals (not 18)? Check the explorer.
• Try toggling "Show zero balance tokens." The token might be hidden when balances are zero.
• If you added via a dApp, disconnect and re-open the wallet, or re-add manually from Manage.

If problems persist, see troubleshooting — token not showing for step-by-step remediation.

Security best practices (verify before you add or interact)

Adding a token to your wallet is read-only — the contract itself can’t take your other funds simply by being present. So what's the risk? Malicious dApps or approvals. If you approve a contract to move tokens, that contract can transfer whatever allowance you granted.

• Always verify contract addresses with a reliable block explorer. Don’t copy addresses from random social posts.
• Check token contract source / audit links on explorers when available.
• Limit approvals where possible (avoid unlimited allowances). If you accidentally approve a malicious contract, revoke the allowance (see revoke-approvals-and-allowances).
• Keep your seed phrase offline and never paste it into a website. For recovery steps see seed phrase backup and backup & recovery.

In my experience, a moment of caution when adding a token prevents a lot of headaches later.

Advanced tips & dApp integration

• If a dApp sends you a token, the wallet may show a curveball named airdrop or test tokens. Hide or remove these as described above.
• For desktop dApp interaction, use WalletConnect to link your mobile Trust Wallet. That keeps the mobile-first convenience while letting you use desktop interfaces. See WalletConnect guide for more.
• Want proof of the token metadata? Open the contract on the explorer and check the read-only fields (name, symbol, decimals) — these are what the wallet reads when auto-filling.

FAQ

Q: Is it free to add a token to Trust Wallet? A: Yes — adding a token is free. Sending, swapping, or interacting with it on-chain requires gas fees.

Q: How do I find a token contract address? A: Use official sources: the project website, GitHub, or block explorers (Etherscan, BscScan, Solscan). Cross-check at least two reliable sources.

Q: Is it safe to keep crypto in a hot wallet? A: Hot wallets are convenient for daily use, but they carry higher risk than hardware wallets. For large holdings, consider a hardware wallet and use a hot wallet for active DeFi work. See security features for trade-offs.

Q: What happens if I lose my phone? A: Your funds are safe if you have your seed phrase backed up. Restore on another device with restore/import wallet steps.

Further reading and next steps

If you want to manage tokens as a portfolio, check token management & portfolio. For NFT-specific tips see NFT guide. And if you interact with DeFi, make checking approvals part of your routine (see revoke approvals and allowances).

Conclusion

Adding custom tokens and hiding spam in Trust Wallet is straightforward, but small mistakes (wrong network, incorrect contract, unchecked approvals) can cost time or funds. I recommend verifying contract addresses, keeping a minimal approval footprint, and using the Manage toggles to keep your wallet tidy. Ready to try it? Start by finding the contract address on a block explorer and follow the steps above. If you run into trouble, our troubleshooting guide is a good next stop: troubleshooting — token not showing.