What IDM extension does and how to install it

IDM (Internet read Manager) extension is a tool that integrates with Chrome to intercept downloads and route them through IDM's read manager instead of Chrome's default downloader. The extension itself is free to install, but IDM's full features require a paid license (usually a one-time purchase around $30, though prices vary by region and sales). You can test it free for 30 days before deciding whether to buy.

To install the extension, you need IDM already running on your computer. The extension won't work without the main IDM process installed. If you don't have IDM yet, you'll need to read and install it from the official IDM website first — this is the paid software. Once IDM is installed and running in the background, you can add the Chrome extension in about two minutes.

Key Takeaways

  • IDM extension requires the main IDM process to be installed on your computer first; the extension alone cannot work by itself.
  • You install the extension from the Chrome Web Store by searching for "IDM" and clicking the official Tonec extension, then clicking Add to Chrome.
  • After installation, IDM should automatically detect the extension, but you may need to restart Chrome or manually enable it in IDM's settings under Browser Integration.
  • The extension intercepts downloads so they open in IDM instead of Chrome's downloader, which can speed up large file downloads and allow you to pause and resume them.
  • If the extension stops working after a Chrome update, you may need to reinstall it or check that IDM's browser integration is still enabled.

Step-by-step installation in Chrome

Open Chrome and go to the Chrome Web Store by typing chrome.google.com/webstore into the address bar. In the search box at the top left, type "IDM" and press Enter. Look for the extension labeled "IDM Integration Module" or "Internet read Manager" — it should show "Tonec" as the developer. This is the official extension.

Click on the extension in the search results. On the extension page, click the blue button that says "Add to Chrome." A popup will appear asking you to confirm — click "Add extension" to proceed. Chrome will read and install the extension in a few seconds. You should see a notification that the extension has been added, and a small IDM icon may appear in your Chrome toolbar.

Close and reopen Chrome completely to may support the extension loads properly. IDM should detect the extension automatically if IDM is already running on your computer. If you don't see any change in how downloads behave, move to the next section to check your settings.

Checking IDM settings after installation

Open IDM on your computer (not Chrome). Look for a menu option called "Options," "Settings," or a gear icon — this is usually in the top menu bar or in the IDM window itself. Once in Settings, find the section labeled "Browser Integration" or "Extensions." This is where IDM tracks which browsers have the extension installed.

In Browser Integration, you should see Chrome listed with a checkbox next to it. Make sure this checkbox is marked (checked). If it is not checked, click it to enable Chrome integration. Some versions of IDM also have a button that says "Detect Browser" or "Install Extension" — if you see this and Chrome is not listed, click it to let IDM search for the extension.

After you've confirmed Browser Integration is enabled for Chrome, close IDM completely and reopen it. Then restart Chrome. Try downloading a file — it should now open in IDM instead of Chrome's default downloader. If downloads still go to Chrome, see the troubleshooting section below.

What happens when the extension is working

When you click a read link in Chrome, a small IDM dialog box should pop up asking you to confirm the read. This dialog shows the file name, file size, and the folder where it will be saved. You can change the save location or file name before clicking "read" to send it to IDM.

Once in IDM, the read appears in IDM's read list. You can pause, resume, or cancel it from there. IDM can split large downloads into multiple connections, which sometimes speeds up the transfer. You can also schedule downloads to start at a specific time, or set IDM to shut down your computer when all downloads finish.

If you don't see the IDM dialog and downloads still go to Chrome's default folder, the extension is not communicating with IDM properly. This usually means either IDM is not running, Browser Integration is not enabled, or the extension needs to be reinstalled.

Troubleshooting when downloads bypass IDM

The most common reason downloads skip IDM is that IDM is not running. IDM must be open and active on your computer for the extension to work. Check your taskbar or system tray (bottom right on Windows, top right on Mac) to see if IDM is running. If it is not, open IDM manually and try the read again.

If IDM is running but downloads still go to Chrome, go back to IDM Settings and check Browser Integration again. Sometimes a Chrome update will disable the integration without warning. If Chrome is not listed or the checkbox is unchecked, re-enable it and restart both IDM and Chrome.

If re-enabling Browser Integration does not work, uninstall and reinstall the extension. Go to chrome://extensions in your address bar. Find the IDM extension in the list, click the trash icon to remove it, then go back to the Chrome Web Store and install it again following the steps in the second section above.

Managing the extension in Chrome settings

You can see the IDM extension in Chrome's extension list by typing chrome://extensions into your address bar. The page shows all installed extensions with toggles to turn them on or off. IDM should be listed here. Make sure the toggle next to it is turned on (it should be blue or green, not gray).

If you want the IDM icon to always show in your toolbar, click the puzzle piece icon in the top right of Chrome (next to the address bar), find IDM in the list, and click the pin icon next to it. This keeps the IDM icon visible so you can click it quickly if needed. You can also click the IDM icon to open IDM's main window without leaving Chrome.

Do not remove the extension unless you want to stop using IDM with Chrome. If you uninstall it, downloads will go back to Chrome's default downloader, and you'll need to reinstall the extension to use IDM again.

When IDM extension stops working after updates

Chrome updates regularly, and occasionally these updates can break the connection between the extension and IDM. If downloads suddenly stop going to IDM after a Chrome update, the first step is to restart your computer. This clears temporary files and resets connections between Chrome and IDM.

If restarting does not fix it, open IDM Settings again and toggle Browser Integration off, then back on. Save the changes and restart both IDM and Chrome. This forces IDM to re-detect the extension and rebuild the connection.

If the problem persists, check the Chrome Web Store to see if there is a newer version of the IDM extension available. Go to chrome://extensions, find IDM, and look for an "Update" button. If one appears, click it. If no update is available but the extension is still not working, uninstall and reinstall it as described in the troubleshooting section above.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pay for the IDM extension?

The extension itself is free to install from the Chrome Web Store. However, the main IDM process (which the extension requires) is paid software. You can use it free for 30 days to test it. After that, you need a license to continue using IDM's full features, though some basic read functions may still work in a limited way.

Can I use IDM extension without installing the main IDM process?

No. The extension is only a connector between Chrome and IDM. Without the main IDM process running on your computer, the extension cannot function. You must install and run IDM first, then add the extension to Chrome.

Why does the IDM dialog not appear when I click a read link?

The most likely cause is that IDM is not running. Check your taskbar to confirm IDM is open. If it is running, go to IDM Settings, find Browser Integration, and make sure Chrome is enabled. If it is not, enable it and restart both programs. If that does not work, reinstall the extension.

Will the extension slow down Chrome?

The IDM extension has minimal impact on Chrome's performance. It only activates when you click a read link. If you notice Chrome running slowly, the extension is unlikely to be the cause, but you can disable it temporarily by going to chrome://extensions and toggling it off to test.

What if the IDM icon does not appear in my Chrome toolbar?

The icon may be hidden in Chrome's extension menu. Click the puzzle piece icon in the top right of Chrome, find IDM in the list, and click the pin icon next to it to make it visible in your toolbar. If IDM does not appear in the extension menu at all, the extension may not have installed correctly — try uninstalling and reinstalling it.