Chrome extensions install from the Chrome Web Store in about 30 seconds

To add an extension to Chrome, you open the Chrome Web Store, find the extension you want, click "Add to Chrome," and confirm the permission request. The extension then appears as an icon in your toolbar. You do not need to restart your browser or create a new account — it works when ready.

The process is the same whether you are on Windows, Mac, or Linux. Mobile Chrome (on Android and iPhone) does not support extensions the way desktop Chrome does, so this guide covers desktop browsers only.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the Chrome Web Store by searching "Chrome Web Store" or clicking the menu icon in the top right of Chrome, then selecting "Extensions" and "Open Chrome Web Store."
  • Search for the extension by name, read the description and reviews to confirm it does what you need, then click the blue "Add to Chrome" button.
  • Chrome will show you what data and features the extension can access — review this list before confirming, because permissions reveal what the extension can see.
  • After installation, the extension icon appears in your toolbar; click it to open settings or use its features.
  • Remove an extension by right-clicking its icon and selecting "Remove from Chrome," or by going to chrome://extensions and clicking the trash icon.

Opening the Chrome Web Store

The Chrome Web Store is Google's official marketplace for extensions. You can reach it in two ways. The fastest is to type chrome://webstore directly into your address bar and press Enter. The second way is through Chrome's menu: click the three vertical dots in the top right corner of your browser, hover over "Extensions," then click "Open Chrome Web Store."

Once you are in the Web Store, you will see a search box at the top. The store also shows featured extensions and categories like "Productivity," "Shopping," and "Developer Tools" if you want to browse instead of search.

Finding and reading about an extension before you install it

Type the name of the extension you want into the search box. For example, if you want a password manager, you might search "Bitwarden" or "1Password." The results show extension cards with the name, a short description, a star rating, and the number of users.

Click on the extension name to open its full page. This page shows the full description of what it does, screenshots or a video, user reviews, and the developer's name. Read the reviews — they often mention whether the extension slows down your browser, whether it works as advertised, or whether it has changed in ways users dislike. Pay attention to recent reviews, because an extension that worked well two years ago may have changed.

The extension page also lists the permissions it requests — the data and browser features it can access. A password manager needs permission to see what you type in forms. A dark mode extension needs permission to change how websites look. An ad blocker needs permission to see all the content on a page. These permissions are not inherently dangerous, but they tell you what the extension can do. If an extension's permissions seem too broad for what it claims to do, that is a sign to look for a different one.

Installing the extension and reviewing permissions

When you are ready to install, click the blue "Add to Chrome" button. Chrome will open a popup showing the permissions the extension requests. Read this list. It will say things like "Read and change all your data on websites you visit" or "See your browsing history" or "Read your clipboard." These are the same permissions shown on the extension's Web Store page, but seeing them again in the popup is your final note to change your mind.

If the permissions look reasonable for what the extension does, click "Add extension." If they seem wrong — for example, if a straightforward note-taking extension asks to see your browsing history — close the popup and uninstall the extension instead. You can always come back and try a different one.

Finding and using your extension after installation

After you install an extension, its icon appears in your toolbar — the area to the right of your address bar. Some extensions show their icon all the time. Others only show their icon when they are relevant (for example, a grammar checker might only show its icon on pages where you can type).

Click the extension icon to open it or change its settings. Many extensions have a small menu or panel that appears when you click the icon. Some extensions add buttons or features directly to websites — for example, a shopping extension might add a price comparison button next to product listings on store websites.

If your toolbar is crowded, you can hide extension icons you do not use often. Click the puzzle piece icon at the far right of your toolbar, then click the pin icon next to an extension to hide it. The extension still works; you just will not see its icon unless you click the puzzle piece again.

Changing extension settings and permissions

To change what an extension can do after you have installed it, right-click the extension icon and select "Manage extension." This opens the extension's settings page, where you can turn features on or off, change what sites it works on, or adjust how it behaves.

You can also change permissions from this page. For example, if you installed an extension that works on all websites but you only want it to work on one site, you can click "On specific sites" and enter just that site's address. This limits what the extension can see and do.

To see all your installed extensions at once, type chrome://extensions into your address bar. This page shows every extension, whether it is turned on or off, how many users it has, and when you installed it. You can toggle extensions on and off here without uninstalling them, which is useful if an extension causes problems but you might want to use it again later.

Removing an extension you no longer want

To remove an extension, right-click its icon in your toolbar and select "Remove from Chrome." Chrome will ask you to confirm. Click "Remove" and the extension is gone — it no longer appears in your toolbar and no longer runs on any websites.

You can also remove an extension from the chrome://extensions page by clicking the trash icon next to its name. Removing an extension does not delete your browser history or any data the extension stored. If you reinstall the same extension later, it may remember your old settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Chrome ask for so many permissions when I install an extension?

Permissions tell Chrome what the extension is allowed to access. An extension that changes how websites look needs permission to modify pages. One that manages passwords needs permission to see form fields. Chrome shows you these permissions so you can decide whether to trust the extension. If an extension's permissions seem too broad, you can change them after installation by right-clicking the icon and selecting "Manage extension."

Can I use the same extension on multiple computers?

Yes. If you sign into Chrome with a Google account on another computer, your extensions sync automatically. You will see the same extensions and settings on every computer where you are signed in. You can turn off syncing for extensions in Chrome's settings if you want different extensions on different computers.

What should I do if an extension slows down my browser?

Open chrome://extensions and look at the "Details" button for each extension. Some extensions show how much memory or CPU they use. Disable or remove the extension that is using the most resources. If you are not sure which one is causing the slowdown, disable all extensions, then turn them back on one at a time until you notice the slowdown again.

Is it safe to install extensions from the Chrome Web Store?

The Chrome Web Store is Google's official marketplace, and Google reviews extensions before they appear there. That said, no review process is perfect. Read user reviews, check the developer's name and history, and look at the permissions the extension requests. If something feels off, do not install it. You can always search for reviews of a specific extension online before deciding.

Can I use an extension that is not in the Chrome Web Store?

Yes, but it requires more steps and carries more risk. You can load an extension from your computer by going to chrome://extensions, turning on "Developer mode" in the top right, and clicking "Load unpacked." This is mainly for people who write their own extensions or work with developers. For everyday use, stick to the Chrome Web Store.