Where to find Chrome extensions on your Chromebook
Extensions on a Chromebook 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 "More tools" and "Extensions." From there, click the blue "Open Chrome Web Store" button, or go straight to chromewebstore.google.com in your address bar.
The Web Store works like any other app store — you search for what you want, read descriptions and user reviews, and install with one click. Once installed, extensions appear as small icons in the top right of your browser, next to the address bar. Some extensions add buttons you click to use them; others run in the background without a visible icon.
Not every extension works on Chromebook. Some are built only for Windows or Mac versions of Chrome. The Web Store shows you whether an extension is compatible with your device before you install it, so you will not accidentally download something that will not work.
Key Takeaways
- The Chrome Web Store is built into Chrome and accessible from the three-dot menu under "More tools" and "Extensions."
- Extensions install with a single click and appear as icons in the top right of your browser window.
- You can turn extensions on and off, remove them, or change their permissions from the Extensions page in Chrome settings.
- Some extensions need permission to read your browsing activity or access websites you visit — review these requests before installing.
- If an extension stops working or causes problems, you can uninstall it immediately without affecting your Chromebook itself.
Installing an extension step by step
Search the Web Store for what you need — a password manager, ad blocker, grammar checker, or anything else. Click on the extension you want. Read the description, look at the screenshots, and check the user reviews to make sure it does what you need.
When you are ready, click the blue "Add to Chrome" button. A popup will appear asking what permissions the extension needs. Read this carefully — if a password manager asks to read all your web activity, that is normal and expected. If a simple note-taking tool asks the same thing, that is a red flag. You can refuse by closing the popup, or accept by clicking "Add extension."
Once installed, the extension icon appears in your toolbar. Some extensions open a settings page automatically so you can configure them. Others are ready to use right away. If you do not see an icon, the extension may run silently in the background, or it may only show up when you visit certain websites.
Managing extensions you already have
To see all your installed extensions, click the three-dot menu, 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 users have reviewed it.
From this page, you can turn any extension off by clicking the toggle switch next to its name. Turning it off does not remove it — it just stops it from running. You can turn it back on the same way. To remove an extension completely, click the trash icon next to it. Removing an extension does not affect your Chromebook or your files; it only stops that one tool from working.
Some extensions let you control which websites they can access. Click "Details" on any extension to see its permissions and change them if you want. For example, you might allow a password manager to work on banking sites but block it from running on social media.
What to do if an extension is not working
If an extension stops working, first check whether it is turned on. Go to the Extensions page and look for the toggle switch next to its name. If it is off, turn it back on. If it is already on, try turning it off and back on again — this often fixes temporary problems.
If that does not help, check whether the extension needs an update. Some extensions update automatically, but others require you to visit the Web Store and click "Update" manually. Look at the extension's reviews on the Web Store to see whether other people are reporting the same problem — if many users say it is broken, the developer may be working on a fix.
If nothing works, uninstall the extension and look for an alternative. The Web Store has many options for most tasks, and switching to a different tool takes only a few minutes. You lose nothing by removing an extension except that one tool's features.
Finding extensions for specific tasks
The Web Store search works best when you search for what you want to do, not a brand name. Search for "password manager" rather than a specific company, or "grammar checker" rather than a product. This shows you all the options available, with the most popular and highly-rated ones at the top.
Read the reviews before installing. Look for recent reviews that mention whether the extension works well, whether it slows down your browser, and whether the developer responds to problems. A tool with 4.5 stars and 10,000 reviews is usually safer than one with 5 stars and 20 reviews.
Some extensions are free; others cost money. The price appears on the extension's page in the Web Store. Free extensions sometimes show ads or ask you to pay for extra features. Paid extensions usually do not have ads and give you everything upfront. Choose based on what you need and what you are willing to spend.
Why some extensions might not be available
A few extensions do not work on Chromebook because they were built only for Windows or Mac. The Web Store will not show these to you if you are using Chrome on a Chromebook — they simply will not appear in search results. If you find an extension on another website that claims to work on Chromebook but does not appear in the Web Store, it is likely not compatible.
Some extensions also require you to be in a specific country or region. These are rare, but if you see a message saying an extension is not available in your region, there is no way around it — the developer has restricted it intentionally.
If you need a tool that is not available as an extension, look for a web-based alternative. Many services like Canva, Figma, and Grammarly work directly in your browser without needing an extension at all. You simply visit their website and use them like any other web app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can extensions slow down my Chromebook?
Yes, but usually not much. Each extension uses a small amount of memory and processing power. If you install many extensions, you may notice your browser feels slower, especially if you have an older Chromebook with limited memory. If this happens, uninstall extensions you do not use regularly. You can always reinstall them later.
Is it safe to install extensions from the Chrome Web Store?
The Web Store reviews extensions before they appear, but it is not perfect. Read user reviews and check what permissions an extension asks for. If something seems wrong — like a simple tool asking for access to all your passwords — do not install it. Stick with extensions that have thousands of reviews and high ratings.
What happens to my extensions if I sign out of my Chromebook?
Your extensions stay installed. When you sign back in with the same Google account, they reappear automatically. If you sign in with a different account, that account will not have the same extensions — each Google account on a Chromebook has its own set of installed tools.
Can I use the same extension on my phone?
Not directly. Chrome extensions only work on computers and Chromebooks. If you use Chrome on an Android phone, you cannot install the same extensions. However, many tools offer mobile apps or mobile-friendly websites that do the same thing. Check the developer's website to see what options they offer for phones.
How do I know if an extension is reading my passwords or personal information?
When you install an extension, Chrome shows you exactly what permissions it needs. If it asks to "read and change all your data on websites you visit," it can see what you type, including passwords. This is normal for password managers and necessary for them to work. If a simple tool asks for this permission, that is suspicious — uninstall it and find a different one.