Where to find Chrome extensions and how to add them

Chrome extensions live in the Chrome Web Store, which you reach directly from your browser. Open Chrome, click the three vertical dots in the top right corner, then select "Extensions" and "Manage extensions." At the top left of that page, click "Chrome Web Store." From there, you can search for extensions by name or browse by category — productivity, security, shopping, writing tools, and dozens of others.

Once you find an extension you want, click it to open its store page. You'll see screenshots, a description, user reviews, and the number of downloads. Click the blue "Add to Chrome" button. A popup will appear asking what permissions the extension needs — for example, whether it can read your browsing history or access your passwords. Review these carefully. Click "Add extension" to confirm, and it installs immediately.

After installation, the extension's icon usually appears in your toolbar — the row of icons to the right of your address bar. Some extensions add a button you click to use them. Others run in the background and don't need you to do anything. You can manage all your extensions from the "Manage extensions" page you visited earlier.

Key Takeaways

  • The Chrome Web Store is built into Chrome and accessible through the three-dot menu under Extensions.
  • Every extension shows its permissions before you install it, so you can see what data it will access.
  • Most extensions add an icon to your toolbar, though some work silently in the background.
  • You can turn extensions on and off, remove them, or change their permissions from the Manage Extensions page at any time.

Understanding extension permissions

When you install an extension, Chrome shows you exactly what it can do. Common permissions include "Read your browsing history," "Access your tabs and browsing activity," "Read and change all your data on websites you visit," or "Access your passwords." These aren't hidden — they appear in a popup before you click "Add extension."

Not every extension needs every permission. A grammar checker might only need to read the text you're typing, while a password manager needs access to your passwords. Read the permission list and ask yourself whether the extension's purpose matches what it's asking for. If a weather app wants access to your browsing history, that's a red flag. If a coupon finder wants to see what websites you visit, that makes sense.

You can also change permissions after installation. Go to "Manage extensions," find the extension, click "Details," and scroll to "Permissions." You can toggle some permissions off, though this might break the extension's features. If an extension stops working after you restrict its permissions, you can turn them back on the same way.

Managing your installed extensions

Your extensions appear as icons in the toolbar to the right of your address bar. If you have many extensions, they might not all fit. Click the puzzle-piece icon (the extension manager) to see them all. From there, you can pin frequently used extensions to the toolbar so they're always visible, or hide ones you rarely use.

To remove an extension, go to "Manage extensions," find it in the list, and click the trash icon. The extension disappears immediately and stops running. You can reinstall it later from the Chrome Web Store if you change your mind. Removing an extension also removes any data it stored — for example, if you remove a password manager, the passwords it saved are deleted.

You can also temporarily turn an extension off without removing it. On the "Manage extensions" page, toggle the switch next to the extension's name. It stays installed but stops running. This is useful if an extension is causing problems or slowing down your browser, and you want to test whether disabling it helps.

Checking extension reviews and ratings

Before you install an extension, look at its reviews and rating on the Chrome Web Store. Extensions show a star rating (one to five stars) based on user reviews. Read some of the recent reviews to see what people actually think. Look for comments about whether the extension works as described, whether it's slow, whether it has bugs, or whether it stopped working after a Chrome update.

Pay attention to the number of downloads and how long the extension has been available. An extension with 100,000 downloads and a 4.5-star rating has been tested by many people. A brand-new extension with ten downloads and five stars might be good, but you have less information about how it performs over time. Check the "About this extension" section to see who made it and whether they maintain other extensions.

If reviews mention that an extension stopped working, check the date. If the issue was reported months ago and the developer hasn't updated the extension since, it might not be maintained anymore. Chrome updates frequently, and unmaintained extensions can break. Look for recent updates from the developer as a sign they're still actively working on it.

Troubleshooting extensions that aren't working

If an extension isn't doing what you expect, start by checking whether it's turned on. Go to "Manage extensions" and look for the toggle switch next to the extension's name. If it's off, turn it on. If it's already on, try turning it off and back on again — this often fixes temporary glitches.

Next, check whether the extension is supposed to work on the website you're using. Some extensions only work on certain sites. For example, a shopping extension might only work on retail websites, not on social media. Look at the extension's store page or click its icon to see whether it has instructions about which sites it supports. If you're on an unsupported site, the extension won't do anything.

If the extension still isn't working, try removing it and reinstalling it. Go to "Manage extensions," click the trash icon, then go back to the Chrome Web Store and add it again. This clears out any corrupted data the extension stored. If it still doesn't work after reinstalling, check the reviews to see whether other people are reporting the same problem. If many people report it's broken, the developer might need to fix it, and you may want to try a different extension instead.

Finding extensions for specific tasks

The Chrome Web Store organizes extensions by category, which is the fastest way to find what you need. Click "Extensions" in the left sidebar to see categories like Productivity, Shopping, Writing, Developer Tools, and Search Tools. Browse the category that matches what you want to do, or use the search box at the top to search by name or keyword.

If you're looking for an extension to do something specific — like block ads, check grammar, manage passwords, or track your spending — search for that task in the Chrome Web Store. You'll see multiple options. Compare their ratings, read reviews, and check how many people use them. The most popular option isn't always the best for you, but it's usually a safe bet because many people have tested it.

You can also ask in forums or communities focused on your interests. For example, if you're a writer, writing communities might recommend grammar-checking extensions. If you're a developer, developer communities might recommend debugging tools. Real users often have strong opinions about which extensions work best for their needs.

Keeping your extensions safe and up to date

Chrome automatically updates extensions in the background, so you don't have to do anything. However, you should periodically review which extensions you have installed. Remove any you no longer use — the fewer extensions running, the less data they can access and the faster your browser runs.

Only install extensions from the official Chrome Web Store. Extensions from other sources might contain malware or spyware. If someone sends you a link to install an extension from somewhere other than the Chrome Web Store, don't use it. Stick to the official store, where Google reviews extensions before they're published.

If an extension starts behaving strangely — showing ads you didn't expect, changing your homepage, or slowing down your browser — it might have been compromised or updated in a way you don't like. Remove it immediately and look for an alternative. Your browser's performance and your privacy are more important than any single extension.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same extensions on Chrome across different devices?

Yes, if you sign into the same Google account on multiple devices, your extensions sync automatically. When you install an extension on one device, it installs on the others. If you turn an extension off on one device, it turns off on all of them. You can manage this in Chrome Settings under "Sync and Google services."

What's the difference between an extension and an app in the Chrome Web Store?

Extensions modify how your browser works — they add buttons, change how websites look, or run in the background. Apps are standalone programs that run inside Chrome, like a to-do list or a text editor. Extensions are more common and integrate with your browsing. Apps are less common and work more like separate programs.

Can I create my own Chrome extension?

Yes, but it requires coding knowledge. Google publishes documentation for developers who want to build extensions. You can test your extension in Chrome before publishing it to the Chrome Web Store. Most people use existing extensions rather than building their own, but the option exists if you have specific needs and programming skills.

Why does an extension ask for permission to access all my data on websites?

Some extensions need broad access to work properly. For example, a password manager needs to see what you're typing on every website. A grammar checker needs to read text on any site. A privacy tool needs to see what data websites are collecting. Read the extension's description to understand why it needs that permission. If the reason doesn't match the extension's purpose, don't install it.

What happens to my data if I remove an extension?

Any data the extension stored — like saved passwords, notes, or settings — is deleted when you remove it. If you reinstall the extension later, that data is gone. Some extensions let you export your data before you remove them. Check the extension's settings to see whether you can back up your data first.