Where to find extensions on a Chromebook
Extensions on a Chromebook live in the Chrome Web Store, which you reach through your browser's menu. Open Chrome, click the three vertical dots in the top right corner, then select "More tools" and "Extensions." From there, you can click "Open Chrome Web Store" or go directly to chromewebstore.google.com in your address bar.
The Web Store shows extensions organized by category — productivity, shopping, writing, security, and others. You can search by name if you already know what you want, or browse by category to discover tools you might not have known existed. Each extension has a description, user reviews, and screenshots showing what it does.
Not every extension works on Chromebook. Some are designed only for Windows or Mac versions of Chrome. The Web Store filters these out automatically — if you search for an extension and it does not appear, it is likely not available for Chrome OS.
Key Takeaways
- The Chrome Web Store is built into Chrome and accessible through the menu or by visiting chromewebstore.google.com directly.
- You install an extension by finding it in the Web Store and clicking the "Add to Chrome" button, then confirming the permissions it needs.
- Once installed, extensions appear as small icons in the top right of your browser, and you can pin the ones you use most often.
- You can turn extensions on or off, remove them entirely, or manage their permissions from the Extensions page in your browser settings.
Installing an extension step by step
Find the extension you want in the Chrome Web Store. Click on it to open its detail page, then click the blue "Add to Chrome" button. A popup will appear asking you to confirm — it will list what the extension can access, such as your browsing history, tabs you have open, or data on websites you visit. Read this list carefully, then click "Add extension" to proceed.
The extension installs immediately. You will see a small icon appear in the top right corner of your browser, next to the address bar. Some extensions add a toolbar button you can click to open a menu or panel. Others run silently in the background and do not show a visible button.
If you install many extensions, the top right corner gets crowded. You can click the puzzle-piece icon (which represents extensions) to see all of them, then click the pin icon next to the ones you use regularly. Pinned extensions stay visible; unpinned ones hide behind the puzzle-piece menu.
Managing extensions you have installed
To see all your extensions at once, click the three dots in the top right, go to "More tools," and select "Extensions." This page shows every extension you have installed, whether it is turned on or off, and how many permissions it has. You can toggle the switch next to any extension to turn it off without removing it, or click the trash icon to delete it entirely.
If an extension is causing problems — slowing down your Chromebook, showing unwanted popups, or behaving strangely — you can turn it off here without losing it. If you decide you do not want it anymore, delete it. Deleted extensions can always be reinstalled later from the Web Store.
Some extensions ask for new permissions when they update. When this happens, you will see a notification. Click it to review what the extension is now asking for, then decide whether to allow the new permissions or remove the extension.
Understanding what permissions mean
When you install an extension, it asks permission to access certain things — your browsing history, the content of web pages you visit, your downloads, or data you type into forms. These permissions exist because the extension needs that information to work. A grammar-checking extension needs to read what you type. An ad blocker needs to see the content of every webpage. A password manager needs access to form fields.
You cannot install an extension without granting its requested permissions — you either accept them all or do not install the extension. If an extension asks for permissions that seem too broad or unnecessary for what it claims to do, that is a sign to skip it. Stick to extensions from well-known developers or those with many positive reviews from other users.
Removing extensions you no longer use
Open the Extensions page (three dots, "More tools," "Extensions"), find the extension you want to remove, and click the trash icon. The extension disappears immediately and stops running. Your Chromebook does not slow down from having unused extensions installed, but removing them keeps your browser cleaner and reduces the number of programs with access to your data.
If you think you might want an extension again later, you can turn it off instead of deleting it. The switch next to each extension's name lets you disable it without removing it. When you turn it back on, all your settings for that extension remain exactly as you left them.
Extensions that come built in
Some extensions come pre-installed on Chromebooks, such as Chrome Remote Desktop (which lets you access your computer from another device) or Google Drive (which integrates your cloud storage into Chrome). These extensions work the same way as ones you install yourself — you can turn them off, remove them, or manage their permissions from the Extensions page.
You can also reinstall any built-in extension from the Chrome Web Store if you delete it and change your mind later. Search for it by name and click "Add to Chrome" just as you would with any other extension.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the same extensions on my Chromebook and my phone?
No. Chrome extensions only work on the desktop version of Chrome. On Android phones and tablets, Chrome does not support extensions. If you want similar functionality on mobile, you will need to find a separate app for that device.
What if an extension stops working after a Chrome update?
Extensions update automatically along with Chrome. If one stops working, try turning it off and back on from the Extensions page. If that does not help, check the extension's detail page in the Web Store to see if there are known issues or if the developer has posted an update. You can also try removing it and reinstalling it fresh.
Do extensions slow down my Chromebook?
Extensions use memory and processing power, so many of them running at once can slow things down. If your Chromebook feels sluggish, try turning off extensions you do not use regularly. You can always turn them back on when you need them. Removing extensions you no longer want entirely is the most effective way to free up resources.
Is it safe to install extensions from the Chrome Web Store?
Google reviews extensions before they appear in the Web Store, but that does not mean every extension is trustworthy. Stick to extensions from well-known developers, read the user reviews, and pay attention to what permissions an extension asks for. If something seems off, skip it and find an alternative.
Can I sync extensions across multiple Chromebooks or devices?
Yes. If you sign into Chrome with your Google account on multiple devices, your extensions sync automatically. When you install an extension on one device, it installs on the others as well. You can turn this off in Chrome settings if you want different extensions on different devices.