Auto Redirect To MetaMask On Mobile With RainbowKit & Wagmi

Aug 9, 2025 by Henrik Larsen 60 views

Auto Redirect to MetaMask for Transaction Confirmation on Mobile with WalletConnect (RainbowKit & Wagmi)

Hey guys! Ever run into that pesky situation where you're building a killer dApp, everything works like a charm on desktop, but when you switch to mobile, users have to manually jump into MetaMask to confirm transactions? It's a common hurdle when using WalletConnect with RainbowKit and Wagmi, but don't sweat it! This guide will walk you through the ins and outs of setting up auto-redirect for transaction confirmation on mobile, ensuring a smoother user experience.

Understanding the Problem: Mobile vs. Desktop WalletConnect

Before we dive into the solution, let's quickly break down why this issue pops up in the first place. On desktop, when you initiate a transaction through WalletConnect, MetaMask usually pops up automatically, prompting the user to confirm. This seamless experience is thanks to the browser extensions and the way they interact with web pages. However, on mobile, things get a bit trickier.

Mobile wallets like MetaMask operate as separate apps. When a dApp initiates a transaction via WalletConnect, it sends a request to the wallet app. The challenge lies in automatically redirecting the user from the dApp in their mobile browser to the MetaMask app to approve the transaction. Without the proper setup, users have to manually switch to MetaMask, which can be confusing and lead to drop-offs. We want to avoid that friction and make the process as intuitive as possible.

Why Manual Redirection Hurts User Experience

Imagine you're a user, excited to try out a new dApp. You connect your wallet, initiate a transaction, and then… nothing. You're left staring at the dApp, wondering if something went wrong. You might even think the transaction failed. Then, you realize you need to manually open MetaMask, find the request, and confirm it. This extra step is not only confusing but also time-consuming. It breaks the flow and can lead to frustration, potentially causing users to abandon the dApp altogether. In the fast-paced world of web3, a smooth user experience is paramount. We need to make it as easy as possible for users to interact with our dApps, and that includes seamless transaction confirmation. By implementing auto-redirect, we eliminate a major pain point and create a more polished and user-friendly experience.

The Role of Deep Linking

So, how do we achieve this magical auto-redirection? The answer lies in deep linking. Deep linking is a technique that allows you to create links that open directly within a specific app, rather than just opening a web page. Think of it like a shortcut that takes you straight to the right place. In our case, we need a deep link that opens the MetaMask app and directs the user to the transaction confirmation screen. WalletConnect provides mechanisms for generating these deep links, and we'll explore how to leverage them with RainbowKit and Wagmi.

By using deep linking, we can bridge the gap between the dApp in the mobile browser and the MetaMask app, creating a seamless handover for transaction confirmation. This means users can simply initiate a transaction in the dApp, and they'll be automatically whisked away to MetaMask to approve it, then returned to the dApp once the transaction is confirmed. It's a game-changer for mobile dApp usability.

Setting Up Auto-Redirect with RainbowKit and Wagmi

Alright, let's get into the nitty-gritty of setting up auto-redirect. We'll be focusing on using RainbowKit and Wagmi, two popular tools for building web3 applications. RainbowKit provides a beautiful and easy-to-use UI for connecting wallets, while Wagmi is a powerful React Hooks library for interacting with Ethereum. Together, they make building dApps a breeze, and with a few tweaks, we can get that auto-redirect working perfectly.

Prerequisites

Before we start, make sure you have the following in place:

A React project set up with RainbowKit and Wagmi.
WalletConnect configured as a connector in RainbowKit.
MetaMask installed on your mobile device (for testing).

If you're not already using RainbowKit and Wagmi, you can find plenty of resources and tutorials online to get you started. The official documentation for both libraries is excellent and will guide you through the setup process.

Leveraging WalletConnect's URI

The key to auto-redirect lies in the WalletConnect URI. This URI is a special link that contains all the information needed to establish a connection between the dApp and the wallet. When a user connects their wallet via WalletConnect, a URI is generated. We need to grab this URI and use it to create a deep link that will open MetaMask.

RainbowKit provides a hook called useConnectModal that gives us access to the connector object. This connector object, in turn, has a uri property that holds the WalletConnect URI. We can use this URI to construct our deep link.

Here's a snippet of code that demonstrates how to access the URI:

import { useConnectModal } from '@rainbow-me/rainbowkit';
import { useEffect } from 'react';

function MyComponent() {
  const { openConnectModal, connectors } = useConnectModal();
  
  useEffect(() => {
    if (openConnectModal) {
      const walletConnectConnector = connectors.find(
        (connector) => connector.id === 'walletconnect',
      );
      if (walletConnectConnector && walletConnectConnector.uri) {
        const uri = walletConnectConnector.uri;
        console.log('WalletConnect URI:', uri);
        // We'll use this URI to create the deep link
      }
    }
  }, [connectors, openConnectModal]);

  return (
    <button onClick={() => openConnectModal()}>Connect Wallet</button>
  );
}

In this code, we're using the useConnectModal hook to get the openConnectModal function and the connectors array. We then use a useEffect hook to listen for changes in the connectors array. When the user opens the connect modal, the connectors array will be populated. We then find the WalletConnect connector and access its uri property. This URI is our golden ticket to auto-redirection.

Crafting the Deep Link

Now that we have the WalletConnect URI, we need to craft a deep link that will open MetaMask on mobile. The exact format of the deep link depends on the wallet app, but for MetaMask, it typically looks like this:

metamask://wc?uri=<YOUR_WALLETCONNECT_URI>

Replace <YOUR_WALLETCONNECT_URI> with the actual URI we obtained in the previous step. This deep link tells the operating system to open the MetaMask app and pass the WalletConnect URI to it. MetaMask will then handle the connection and prompt the user to confirm the transaction.

Implementing the Redirect

To implement the redirect, we can use the window.location.href property to navigate to the deep link. Here's how we can modify our code to include the redirect:

import { useConnectModal } from '@rainbow-me/rainbowkit';
import { useEffect } from 'react';

function MyComponent() {
  const { openConnectModal, connectors } = useConnectModal();
  
  useEffect(() => {
    if (openConnectModal) {
      const walletConnectConnector = connectors.find(
        (connector) => connector.id === 'walletconnect',
      );
      if (walletConnectConnector && walletConnectConnector.uri) {
        const uri = walletConnectConnector.uri;
        const deepLink = `metamask://wc?uri=${uri}`;
        
        // Check if we're on a mobile device
        if (/iPhone|iPad|iPod|Android/i.test(navigator.userAgent)) {
          window.location.href = deepLink;
        } else {
          console.log('Deep Link:', deepLink);
          // Optionally display a QR code for desktop users
        }
      }
    }
  }, [connectors, openConnectModal]);

  return (
    <button onClick={() => openConnectModal()}>Connect Wallet</button>
  );
}

In this updated code, we're constructing the deep link using the WalletConnect URI. We're also adding a check to see if we're on a mobile device using the navigator.userAgent property. If we're on mobile, we redirect the user to the deep link using window.location.href. Otherwise, we log the deep link to the console (for debugging purposes) and can optionally display a QR code for desktop users to scan with their mobile wallets.

Handling the Return to the DApp

One crucial aspect of this process is ensuring the user is returned to the dApp after confirming the transaction in MetaMask. WalletConnect handles this automatically by including a callback URL in the URI. After the user approves the transaction, MetaMask will redirect them back to the dApp.

However, it's essential to handle this callback correctly in your dApp. You'll need to set up a route or a handler that can receive the callback and update the UI accordingly. This might involve displaying a confirmation message, updating the user's balance, or navigating them to the next step in your dApp's workflow.

RainbowKit and Wagmi provide tools and utilities to help you manage this callback process. You can consult their documentation for specific guidance on handling WalletConnect callbacks and updating your dApp's state.

Best Practices and Considerations

Now that we've covered the technical implementation, let's discuss some best practices and considerations to ensure a smooth and secure user experience.

User Experience Tips

Provide Clear Instructions: It's always a good idea to provide clear instructions to users, especially if they're new to WalletConnect. Explain that they'll be redirected to MetaMask to confirm the transaction and that they'll be returned to the dApp afterward.
Handle Errors Gracefully: Things don't always go according to plan. The user might not have MetaMask installed, or they might cancel the transaction. Make sure to handle these scenarios gracefully and provide informative error messages.
Consider a Fallback: If auto-redirect fails for any reason, provide a fallback mechanism, such as displaying a QR code that users can scan with their mobile wallets.

Security Considerations

Validate the URI: Always validate the WalletConnect URI to ensure it's from a trusted source. This helps prevent phishing attacks and other security vulnerabilities.
Use HTTPS: Make sure your dApp is served over HTTPS to protect the privacy and security of your users' data.
Stay Updated: Keep your RainbowKit, Wagmi, and WalletConnect libraries up to date to benefit from the latest security patches and improvements.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with the best setup, you might encounter some issues along the way. Here are a few common problems and how to troubleshoot them:

Auto-redirect not working: Double-check the deep link format and ensure it matches the requirements of the user's wallet. Also, verify that the WalletConnect URI is being generated correctly.
User not being redirected back to the dApp: Make sure you're handling the WalletConnect callback correctly in your dApp. Check your routing and state management logic.
MetaMask not opening: Ensure that MetaMask is installed on the user's mobile device. If it is, try clearing MetaMask's cache and restarting the app.

If you're still stuck, don't hesitate to consult the RainbowKit, Wagmi, and WalletConnect documentation or seek help from the community. There are plenty of experienced developers who can offer guidance and support.

Conclusion

Auto-redirecting users to MetaMask for transaction confirmation on mobile is a crucial step in creating a seamless and user-friendly dApp experience. By leveraging WalletConnect's URI and crafting deep links, we can bridge the gap between the dApp in the mobile browser and the MetaMask app. With RainbowKit and Wagmi, this process becomes even easier, allowing you to focus on building amazing web3 applications.

Remember to always prioritize user experience and security. Provide clear instructions, handle errors gracefully, and stay updated with the latest best practices. By following these guidelines, you can create dApps that are not only powerful but also enjoyable to use. So go ahead, implement auto-redirect in your dApp, and watch your user engagement soar! Happy coding!