Open the Chrome Web Store and search for what you need
Extensions live in the Chrome Web Store, a library built into Chrome where you can browse, read descriptions, and install add-ons. To reach it, open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select "More tools," then "Extensions." At the top of the page that opens, click "Open Chrome Web Store" — or go directly to chromewebstore.google.com in your address bar.
Once you're in the Web Store, use the search box at the top left to find what you're looking for. Type the name of the extension or what it does — for example, "password manager" or "ad blocker" or "grammar checker." The search results show you extensions that match, with their names, icons, ratings, and how many people have installed them.
Click on any extension to read its full description, see screenshots of how it works, and check the reviews from other users. This is where you find out whether an extension actually does what you need and whether people have had problems with it. Pay attention to recent reviews — an extension that worked well a year ago might have changed.
Key Takeaways
- The Chrome Web Store is built into Chrome and reached through the three-dot menu under "More tools" and "Extensions."
- You install an extension by finding it in the Web Store, clicking "Add to Chrome," and confirming the permissions it needs.
- Once installed, most extensions show an icon in the top right of Chrome where you can turn them on and off or adjust their settings.
- You can remove an extension at any time through the Extensions page, and doing so does not affect your browsing history or saved passwords.
- Read the reviews and permissions before installing, because extensions can see the websites you visit and the information you enter on them.
Click "Add to Chrome" and confirm the permissions
When you've found an extension you want, click the blue "Add to Chrome" button on its page. A popup window appears asking you to confirm — it will list the permissions the extension needs, meaning what it's allowed to see and do. For example, a password manager needs permission to see what you type in password fields. An ad blocker needs to see the content on every webpage you visit. Read this list before you confirm.
If the permissions seem too broad for what the extension claims to do, don't install it. If an extension says it's a dictionary but asks permission to see all your browsing history, that's a red flag. Click "Add extension" only when you're comfortable with what it can access.
Once you confirm, Chrome downloads and installs the extension in seconds. You'll see a notification at the top right saying the extension has been added. Most extensions are ready to use when ready — you don't need to restart Chrome.
Find your extension's icon and turn it on or off
After installation, most extensions add an icon to the top right of your Chrome window, next to the address bar. This icon is your control panel for that extension. Click it to open the extension's menu, adjust its settings, or turn it on and off for specific websites.
If you install several extensions, the icons can crowd the toolbar. To organize them, click the puzzle-piece icon at the far right of the toolbar — this shows all your installed extensions. You can pin the ones you use most often to the toolbar (so their icons always show) and hide the rest. Click the three dots next to any extension name to see options like "Hide in toolbar" or "Remove from Chrome."
Some extensions work on every website automatically. Others need you to click their icon to turn them on for the page you're viewing. Read the extension's description or help page to understand how it works — this information is usually linked from the extension's icon menu.
Adjust settings and permissions for each extension
To change how an extension behaves, right-click its icon and select "Manage extension." This opens a page where you can see what permissions it has, whether it's turned on, and links to its settings page. Some extensions have detailed options here — like a password manager letting you choose whether to auto-fill forms, or an ad blocker letting you whitelist certain websites.
You can also change which websites an extension can access. On the extension's management page, look for "Site access" or "Permissions." You might see options like "On all sites," "On specific sites," or "Ask before accessing." Choose what makes sense for how you use that extension. For example, you might want a grammar checker to work everywhere, but a shopping extension to work only on retail sites.
If an extension starts behaving oddly — slowing down your browser, showing unwanted popups, or not working on sites where it should — the settings page is the first place to check. You can often fix the problem by adjusting permissions or turning off features you don't use.
Remove an extension you no longer need
To uninstall an extension, click the puzzle-piece icon in the top right, find the extension in the list, click the three dots next to its name, and select "Remove from Chrome." Confirm when Chrome asks if you're sure. The extension is gone when ready, and its icon disappears from your toolbar.
Removing an extension does not delete your browsing history, saved passwords, or any other Chrome data. It only removes that one tool. If you change your mind later, you can reinstall it from the Web Store — your settings for that extension may or may not be saved, depending on how the extension was built.
If an extension is slowing down your browser or you straightforward don't use it anymore, removing it is safe and takes two seconds. You don't need to keep extensions you're not actively using.
Understand what extensions can and cannot do
Extensions are programs that run inside Chrome and can see the websites you visit, the text you type, and sometimes your browsing history. This is why permissions matter — a trustworthy extension from a known company is very different from an unknown extension with the same name. Before installing anything, check the developer's name and read recent reviews to see if people have reported problems.
Extensions cannot access your Chrome password vault, your Google account password, or information stored in other programs on your computer — Chrome blocks that. They also cannot install other software on your computer without your knowledge. But they can see what you do in your browser, so choose extensions from sources you trust.
If an extension ever starts asking for new permissions it didn't need before, or if it begins showing ads or changing your search engine without your action, uninstall it. These are signs the extension has changed or was compromised.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the same extension on multiple devices?
Yes. If you sign into Chrome with your Google account on another computer or phone, your extensions install automatically on that device. Your settings and data sync across devices for extensions that support syncing. Some extensions store their data locally on each device instead.
What if an extension stops working after a Chrome update?
Extensions sometimes break when Chrome updates. Check the extension's page in the Web Store to see if there's a newer version available, or visit the developer's website for updates. If the extension hasn't been updated in months, the developer may have abandoned it — consider switching to a different one.
Do extensions slow down Chrome?
Most extensions use very little memory or processing power. However, if you install many extensions or use poorly-made ones, you may notice Chrome becomes slower. If your browser feels sluggish, remove extensions you don't actively use. You can always reinstall them later.
Is it safe to install extensions from the Chrome Web Store?
Google reviews extensions before they appear in the Web Store, but that doesn't mean every extension is safe. Stick to extensions from well-known companies, read recent reviews, and check the permissions before installing. If an extension has very few reviews or mostly negative ones, skip it.
Can I use extensions in Chrome on my phone?
Chrome on Android and iPhone does not support extensions the way desktop Chrome does. Some extensions offer mobile apps instead, or you can use mobile versions of websites that have the same features. Check the extension's page to see if it has a mobile option.