Where to find Chrome extensions

Chrome extensions live in the Chrome Web Store, which you reach directly from your browser. Click the puzzle-piece icon in the top right corner of Chrome (it looks like four squares), then select "Manage extensions." From there, click the blue button labeled "Open Chrome Web Store" at the bottom left, or go directly to chromewebstore.google.com in your address bar.

The Web Store shows you extensions sorted by category — productivity, shopping, security, accessibility, and others. You can search by name if you already know what you want, or browse by category if you are looking for something specific. Each extension has a description, screenshots, user reviews, and the number of users who have installed it.

Not every browser extension works in Chrome. Extensions built for Firefox, Safari, or Edge will not run in Chrome. If you use multiple browsers, you may need to install the same extension separately in each one.

Key Takeaways

  • The Chrome Web Store is the only official place to get Chrome extensions; you reach it through the puzzle-piece icon in your browser or by visiting chromewebstore.google.com.
  • Installing an extension takes one click on the "Add to Chrome" button, and you will see a popup asking what permissions the extension needs before it installs.
  • After installation, extensions appear as icons in your toolbar, and you can pin the ones you use most often so they stay visible.
  • You can turn extensions on and off, remove them, or change their permissions at any time through the "Manage extensions" menu.
  • Only install extensions from publishers you recognize or that have many reviews from real users, because malicious extensions can track your activity or steal data.

How to install an extension in three steps

Once you find an extension you want, the installation is straightforward. Click the blue "Add to Chrome" button on the extension's page. A popup will appear asking you to confirm — it will list the specific permissions the extension is requesting, such as "read and change all your data on websites you visit" or "see your browsing history." Read this list carefully, because it tells you what the extension can actually do on your computer.

Click "Add extension" in the popup to confirm. The extension will read and install in seconds. You will see a small notification at the top of the page saying the extension has been added, and a new icon will appear in your toolbar (the row of small icons at the top right of your browser window).

Some extensions open a welcome page or settings screen after installation. You can close this or configure the extension's options if you want to customize how it works. If you do not configure anything, most extensions work with their default settings right away.

Managing your extensions after installation

Your installed extensions appear in the puzzle-piece menu at the top right. If you have many extensions, they may not all fit in the toolbar at once — the ones that do not fit hide behind the puzzle-piece icon. You can pin the extensions you use most by right-clicking the icon and selecting "Pin," which keeps it visible in the toolbar at all times.

To see all your extensions at once, click the puzzle-piece icon and select "Manage extensions." This page shows every extension you have installed, whether it is turned on or off, and when you last used it. You can toggle any extension on or off with the switch next to its name. Turning an extension off stops it from running, but keeps it installed so you can turn it back on later without reinstalling.

To remove an extension completely, click the trash icon next to its name on the "Manage extensions" page. The extension will uninstall when ready. If you change your mind, you can reinstall it from the Web Store at any time.

Understanding extension permissions

When you install an extension, Chrome shows you a list of permissions — the specific things that extension is allowed to do. An extension that changes the appearance of web pages might only need permission to "read and change all your data on websites you visit." A password manager needs permission to "read and change all your data on websites you visit" plus "read your browsing history." A shopping extension might need permission to "read and change all your data on websites you visit" and "read your browsing history."

The key is that an extension can only do what its permissions allow. If an extension does not have permission to read your browsing history, it cannot see which websites you visit. If it does not have permission to access your microphone, it cannot record audio. Permissions are not a perfect security measure — a malicious extension with broad permissions can still cause harm — but they do limit what any extension can do.

You can change an extension's permissions after installation. Go to "Manage extensions," find the extension, and click "Details." Scroll down to "Permissions" and you will see what the extension can access. Some permissions can be restricted — for example, you can tell an extension to run only on certain websites instead of all websites. Click "On specific sites" and enter the web addresses where you want the extension to work.

Choosing extensions safely

The Chrome Web Store reviews extensions before they appear, but that does not mean every extension is trustworthy. Before you install something, look at the number of users and the reviews. An extension with 100,000 users and mostly positive reviews is lower risk than one with 50 users and no reviews. Read a few of the negative reviews too — they often point out real problems, like an extension that slows down your browser or stops working after a Chrome update.

Check who published the extension. If it is from a company you recognize — Google, Grammarly, Notion, Slack — that is a good sign. If the publisher name is vague or misspelled (like "Grammarly-Helper" instead of "Grammarly"), be cautious. Scammers sometimes create fake versions of popular extensions with slightly different names.

Be skeptical of extensions that ask for more permissions than they seem to need. A spell-checker should not need access to your browsing history. A dark mode extension should not need permission to read your passwords. If an extension's permissions do not match what it claims to do, do not install it.

What to do if an extension stops working

Extensions sometimes break after Chrome updates. If an extension stops working, the first step is to check whether it is turned on. Go to "Manage extensions" and look for the toggle switch next to the extension's name. If it is off, turn it on. If it is already on, try turning it off and back on again — this forces the extension to reload.

If reloading does not fix it, check whether the extension's developer has released an update. Go to the extension's page in the Chrome Web Store and look for a "Version history" link. If there is a newer version available, Chrome will update it automatically within a day or two. You can also uninstall the extension and reinstall it from the Web Store to force an when ready update.

If the extension still does not work after updating, the developer may have abandoned it or it may be incompatible with your version of Chrome. In that case, you can either wait for a fix, switch to a different extension that does the same thing, or remove it entirely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same extension in Chrome on my phone and computer?

Chrome on Android phones does not support extensions the way desktop Chrome does. Most extensions only work on Chrome for Windows, Mac, and Linux. Some extensions have mobile versions available as separate apps in the Google Play Store, but they are usually different from the desktop version.

What happens to my extension data if I uninstall it?

When you uninstall an extension, any data it stored — like saved settings, notes, or preferences — is deleted. If you reinstall the extension later, it will start fresh with default settings. Some extensions let you export your data before uninstalling, so check the extension's settings page first if you want to keep your information.

Do extensions slow down Chrome?

Extensions use memory and processing power, so having many installed can slow your browser down. If Chrome feels sluggish, go to "Manage extensions" and remove any extensions you do not actively use. You can always reinstall them later. Disabling extensions you use rarely is faster than uninstalling them.

Can I install extensions from somewhere other than the Chrome Web Store?

You can load unpacked extensions from your computer for testing purposes, but this requires developer mode and is not recommended for regular use. For everyday browsing, stick to the Chrome Web Store. Extensions from other websites or email links may be malicious or outdated.

How do I know if an extension is reading my passwords or personal information?

Check the extension's permissions on the "Manage extensions" page. If it does not have permission to "read passwords" or "read payment information," it cannot access those things. However, permissions are not foolproof — a malicious extension with broad permissions could still cause harm. If you do not trust an extension, uninstall it.