Install and manage extensions

You can customize Chrome on your desktop by adding extensions from the Chrome Web Store.

Install an extension

Important: You can't add extensions when you browse in Incognito mode or as a guest.

1. Open the Chrome Web Store.
2. Find and select the extension you want.
3. Select Add to Chrome.
4. Some extensions will let you know if they need certain permissions or data. To approve, select Add extension.
   • Important: Make sure you only approve extensions that you trust.

To use the extension, select the icon to the right of the address bar.

If you’re using a computer through your work or school, your organization might block some extensions.

Install on your phone

Important: Make sure you're signed in to Chrome with your Google Account. Learn how to sign in and sync in Chrome.

1. On your phone, open Chrome .
2. Find the extension you want.
3. Tap Add to Desktop.
4. To confirm, tap Add to Desktop.

Tip: The next time you open Chrome on your computer, you’ll get a message that the extension was installed. If the extension needs some permissions, you'll be asked. To approve, select Enable extension.

Install with a Windows or Mac application

Sometimes, when you install an application on Windows or Mac, it also installs a Chrome extension. The next time you open Chrome:

• To grant permissions and use the extension, select Enable.
• To delete the extension, select Remove.

Install with Enhanced protection

For additional protection when you install a new extension from the Chrome Web Store, you can use Safe Browsing's Enhanced protection. If you enable Enhanced protection in Chrome, it warns you when an extension you want to install isn’t trusted. Extensions are considered trusted when they’re built by a developer who follows the Chrome Web Store Developer Program Policies.

For new developers, it generally takes a few months to become trusted. Eventually, we strive for all developers with compliant extensions to reach this status upon meeting our developer program policies.

Install trusted extensions

When you try to install an extension, a dialog appears.

• If the extension you’re about to install isn’t trusted by Enhanced protection, it says “This extension is not trusted by Enhanced Safe Browsing.”
  • To install the extension anyways, select Continue to install.
  • To abort the installation, select Close.
• If the extension is trusted by Enhanced protection, to complete the installation, select Add extension.

Manage your extensions

1. On your computer, open Chrome.
2. At the top right, select More Extensions Manage extensions.
3. Make your changes:
   • Turn on/off: Turn the extension on or off.
   • Allow incognito: On the extension, select Details. Turn on Allow in incognito.
   • Fix corruptions: Find a corrupted extension and select Repair. Confirm by selecting Repair extension.
   • Allow site access: On the extension, select Details. Next to “Allow this extension to read and change all your data on websites you visit,” change the extension’s site access to On select, On specific sites, or On all sites.

Remove possible malware

If you repaired an extension but it's still corrupted, a suspicious program might be changing this extension's files.

1. On Windows, Mac, or Linux computers, run an antivirus or anti-malware software. Remove any software programs that may be affecting Chrome.
2. On all computers, repair the extension:
   1. On your computer, open Chrome.
   2. At the top right, select More Extensions Manage extensions.
   3. Find a corrupted extension and select Repair. Confirm by selecting Repair.
3. If this doesn't work, visit the Chrome Help Forum and share your situation with us.

Let extensions read and change site data

Some extensions need permission to read and change site data. You can change your extensions’ permissions anytime.

Important: When you grant or cancel these permissions, it will only affect extension sites that match the extension's host permissions. Extensions that change lower-level network access through VPNs or proxy settings aren’t affected by the change in permissions.

1. On your computer, open Chrome.
2. At the top right, select Extensions .
3. Select More point to "This can read and change site data."
4. Decide which permission to give the extension:
   • When you select the extension: This setting only allows the extension to access the current site in the open tab or window when you select the extension. If you close the tab or window, you’ll have to select the extension to turn it on again.
   • On [current site]: Allow the extension to automatically read and change data on the current site.
   • On all sites: Allow the extension to automatically read and change data on all sites.

Add or remove access to a specific site

1. On your computer, open Chrome.
2. At the top right, select More Extensions Manage extensions.
3. On the extension, select Details.
4. Under “Permissions,” add or remove a site:
   • Add: To the right of “Allowed sites,” select Add.
     • If you can't find this option, change “Allow this extension to read and change all your data on websites you visit” to On specific sites.
   • Remove: To the right of the site, select More Remove.

Uninstall an extension

To the right of your address bar, look for the extension's icon. Right-select the icon and select Remove from Chrome.

If you don't find the extension's icon:

1. On your computer, open Chrome.
2. At the top right, select More Extensions Manage extensions.
3. On the extension you want to remove, select Remove.
4. To confirm, select Remove.

Use extensions on any computer

To use your extensions on any computer, sign in to Chrome.

Arrange extensions on your toolbar

To the right of your address bar, find your extensions' icons.

1. On your computer, open Chrome.
2. Drag the extension's icon to its new place.

Hide extensions

• To hide individual extensions:
  1. Right-select the icon.
  2. Select Unpin.
• To find your hidden extensions,select Extensions .

Show extensions

To bring hidden extensions back to your toolbar:

1. Select Extensions .
2. Find the hidden extension.
3. Select Pin .
   • Important: Some extensions don't have this option.

Unsupported extensions

To better protect your privacy and security, Chrome and the Chrome Web Store require extensions to be up-to-date with new requirements. With this, Chrome may disable extensions that don't meet these requirements.

If an extension isn’t supported and is disabled, you can take the following actions.

Find an alternative

1. On your computer, open Chrome.
2. At the top right, select More Extensions Manage Extensions.
3. Find the unsupported extension.
4. Select Details More Find Alternatives .
5. Add an extension from the Chrome Web Store.

Remove the extension

1. On your computer, open Chrome.
2. At the top right, select More Extensions Manage Extensions.
3. Find the unsupported extension.
4. Select Remove.

Temporarily enable the extension

Important: You can only re-enable an extension for a limited period of time after it has been disabled. We recommend you find an alternative extension before it’s permanently disabled.

1. On your computer, open Chrome.
2. At the top right, select More Extensions Manage Extensions.
3. At the bottom right, select the toggle of the unsupported extension you want to enable.

Tip: If your browser is managed, your administrator can re-enable unsupported extensions with Chrome Enterprise Policy.

Learn how to check if your Chrome browser is managed.