The launch of Aptos mainnet marked a major milestone for the network. After months of development activity across devnet and testnet environments, the mainnet officially went live, allowing users to interact with the live blockchain infrastructure.
Although early users initially saw limited information regarding token availability and exchange listings, many wanted to connect their wallets directly to the Aptos Mainnet for exploration, transactions, and ecosystem participation. If your wallet does not automatically display the Mainnet option, you can manually add it using a custom RPC.
This detailed guide explains what a custom RPC is, why you might need it, and how to add Aptos Mainnet RPC to your wallet step by step.
Understanding What an RPC Is
RPC stands for Remote Procedure Call. In simple terms, an RPC endpoint allows your wallet to communicate with a blockchain network.
When you:
- Send transactions
- View balances
- Interact with smart contracts
- Check NFTs
Your wallet connects to a full node via an RPC URL. Without the correct RPC, your wallet cannot read or write data to the blockchain.
Most Aptos wallets include Devnet and Testnet by default. However, Mainnet may not always appear automatically, especially in earlier versions of wallets.
That is where manually adding a custom RPC becomes necessary.
Why Add Aptos Mainnet Manually?
There are several reasons users may want to manually configure Mainnet:
- The wallet only shows Devnet and Testnet.
- You want direct connection to the official full node.
- You are troubleshooting connection issues.
- You want to ensure you are interacting with the live blockchain environment.
Adding a custom RPC allows your wallet to communicate directly with the official Aptos Mainnet node.
Official Aptos Mainnet RPC Details
To connect your wallet to Aptos Mainnet, use the following information:
Network Name: Mainnet
RPC URL: https://fullnode.mainnet.aptoslabs.com/
This RPC endpoint connects directly to the Aptos Labs full node.
Always double-check RPC URLs from official sources to avoid connecting to malicious nodes.
Step-by-Step: Adding Aptos Mainnet Custom RPC
The exact process varies slightly depending on your wallet, but the general workflow remains the same.
Step 1: Open Your Aptos Wallet
Popular Aptos wallets include:
- Petra Wallet
- Martian Wallet
- Pontem Wallet
- Rise Wallet
Open your wallet extension in your browser.
Step 2: Navigate to Network Settings
Most Aptos wallets have a network switcher at the top of the interface.
You will usually see options like:
- Devnet
- Testnet
Click on the network dropdown menu.
Look for an option labeled:
- Settings
- Add Custom Node
- Add Custom Network
- Manage Networks
The wording may differ slightly depending on the wallet.
Step 3: Add a Custom Node
Once inside network settings:
- Click “Add Custom Network” or “Add Custom Node.”
- Enter the following details:
Name: Mainnet
RPC URL: https://fullnode.mainnet.aptoslabs.com/
- Save or confirm the new network.
Your wallet should now display “Mainnet” as a selectable option.
Step 4: Switch to Mainnet
After adding the custom RPC:
- Return to the network switcher.
- Select “Mainnet.”
- Confirm the change.
Your wallet is now connected to the live Aptos blockchain.
Example: Adding Custom RPC in Rise Wallet
If using Rise Wallet:
- Click the settings icon.
- Navigate to network management.
- Choose “Add Custom Node.”
- Enter the Mainnet RPC details.
- Save and switch.
Other wallets follow similar logic, though the interface may differ slightly.
How to Confirm You Are on Aptos Mainnet
After switching networks, you can confirm your connection by:
- Checking if your wallet address shows mainnet balances.
- Viewing transactions on an Aptos Mainnet explorer.
- Sending a small test transaction.
If balances do not appear, ensure:
- You are using the correct wallet address.
- The RPC URL was entered correctly.
- You saved the network properly.
Common Issues and Troubleshooting
1. RPC Not Connecting
If your wallet cannot connect:
- Double-check the RPC URL for typos.
- Refresh your browser.
- Disable and re-enable the wallet extension.
- Restart your browser.
2. Network Option Not Appearing
Some older wallet versions may not support manual RPC configuration. Updating the wallet extension may resolve the issue.
3. Transactions Not Showing
If transactions do not appear:
- Confirm you are on Mainnet, not Testnet.
- Verify the transaction using a block explorer.
- Reconnect the wallet.
Security Best Practices When Adding Custom RPC
Whenever adding a custom RPC:
- Only use official URLs from trusted sources.
- Avoid random RPC links shared on social media.
- Never share your private key or seed phrase.
- Ensure you are on the official wallet website before installing extensions.
Malicious RPC endpoints can attempt to manipulate data shown in your wallet, so verification is critical.
About Aptos Mainnet Launch
When announcing mainnet, the Aptos team emphasized scalability, safety, and long-term infrastructure goals. The network was built by engineers with experience operating large-scale systems used by millions globally.
Aptos aims to support:
- Scalable sharding models
- Parallel transaction execution
- Improved key recovery systems
- User-friendly Web3 experiences
The goal is to create a blockchain capable of handling billions of users while maintaining high performance and low fees.
Connecting your wallet to Mainnet allows you to explore decentralized applications, NFTs, DeFi protocols, and ecosystem developments in real time.
Adding a custom RPC is often the simplest way to gain access if your wallet does not automatically display the Mainnet option. Once configured properly, you can interact with the Aptos live environment confidently and securely.
