Where to find Chrome extensions

Chrome extensions live in the Chrome Web Store, which is Google's official marketplace for add-ons. You reach it by opening Chrome, clicking the three vertical dots in the top right corner, then selecting "Extensions" and "Manage extensions." At the top left of that page, you'll see a blue button labeled "Search the Chrome Web Store." Click it, and you're in the store where thousands of extensions are organized by category.

You can also go directly to the Chrome Web Store by typing chrome.google.com/webstore into your address bar. Either way lands you in the same place. The store shows you what's popular, what's new, and lets you search by name if you already know what you want.

Key Takeaways

  • The Chrome Web Store is the only safe place to get Chrome extensions, and you reach it through the three-dot menu or by typing the web store address directly.
  • When you find an extension you want, click the blue "Add to Chrome" button, then confirm the permission request that appears.
  • After installation, the extension icon appears in your toolbar at the top right of Chrome, and you can pin it there so it's always visible.
  • You manage all your installed extensions from the Extensions menu, where you can turn them on or off, remove them, or change their settings.

Installing an extension step by step

Once you've found an extension in the Chrome Web Store, installation takes two clicks. Click the blue button that says "Add to Chrome." A popup window appears asking you to confirm — it will list what the extension can do, like "read and change all your data on websites you visit." This is normal. Click "Add extension" to confirm, and Chrome installs it when ready.

The extension is now active. You'll usually see its icon appear in your toolbar at the top right of the browser window, next to the address bar. Some extensions show up right away; others ask you to set them up first. Either way, the extension is ready to use.

Finding your installed extensions

To see all the extensions you've installed, click the three vertical dots in Chrome's top right corner and select "Extensions." This shows you a list of every extension currently in Chrome. From here you can turn extensions on or off by toggling the switch next to each one, or remove an extension entirely by clicking "Remove."

You can also reach this menu by clicking the puzzle-piece icon in your toolbar — that's the extensions shortcut. If you don't see a puzzle-piece icon, it means you haven't installed any extensions yet, or they're all hidden. Once you install your first extension, that icon appears.

Pinning extensions to your toolbar

By default, most extension icons hide behind the puzzle-piece menu. If you use an extension often, you can pin it to your toolbar so its icon is always visible. Click the puzzle-piece icon, then look for the extension you want to pin. Next to its name, you'll see a pin icon. Click the pin, and that extension's icon moves to your main toolbar.

You can pin as many extensions as you want, but your toolbar will get crowded if you pin too many. Pin only the ones you use regularly. You can always unpin an extension later by clicking the puzzle-piece icon again and clicking the pin icon next to the extension's name.

Changing extension settings and permissions

Some extensions need you to configure them before they work properly. To access an extension's settings, click the three vertical dots in Chrome's top right, select "Extensions," then find the extension you want to adjust. Click "Details" or the extension's name, and you'll see its settings page. What appears here depends on the extension — some have many options, others have none.

You can also change what websites an extension can access. On the extension's details page, look for "Site permissions" or "Permissions." By default, most extensions can access all websites. You can restrict an extension to specific sites or require it to ask permission each time it wants to access a site. This is useful if you want an extension active only on certain pages.

Removing extensions you no longer use

To remove an extension, open the Extensions menu (three dots, then "Extensions"), find the extension you want to delete, and click "Remove." Chrome asks you to confirm. Click "Remove" again, and the extension is gone — its icon disappears from your toolbar, and it no longer runs in the background.

Removing an extension doesn't delete your browsing history or any data the extension collected while it was installed. If you reinstall the same extension later, it will not remember your previous settings. You'll need to set it up again from scratch.

Staying safe when installing extensions

Only install extensions from the official Chrome Web Store. Extensions from other websites or sources can contain malware or steal your data. The Chrome Web Store reviews extensions before listing them, though no review catches everything. Before you install an extension, check its reviews and ratings — look for recent reviews that mention whether it works as described.

Pay attention to what permissions an extension asks for. If a straightforward tool asks for permission to "read and change all your data on all websites," that's a red flag. Uninstall extensions you're no longer using, because even inactive extensions can slow Chrome down slightly and pose a security risk if they're outdated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I find an extension I used before?

The extension may have been removed from the Chrome Web Store, or you may have uninstalled it. If you remember its name, search the Chrome Web Store for it. If it's not there, the developer removed it. You can't reinstall extensions that are no longer in the store.

Can I use the same extension on multiple computers?

Yes. If you sign into Chrome with your Google account on another computer, your extensions sync automatically. You'll see the same extensions installed on both machines. You can turn this off in Chrome settings if you prefer different extensions on different computers.

What does it mean when an extension says "This item is not available"?

The extension has been removed from the Chrome Web Store or is not available in your region. You cannot install it. If you already had it installed, it will stop working when Chrome updates.

Do extensions slow down Chrome?

Each extension uses some memory and processing power, so many extensions can slow Chrome noticeably. If Chrome feels slow, try disabling extensions you don't use regularly. You can always turn them back on later.

Can I install extensions on Chrome mobile?

Chrome on phones and tablets does not support extensions. Extensions only work on Chrome for Windows, Mac, and Linux. Mobile browsers have their own add-on systems, if they support them at all.