Tips & Tricks

Beginner

3 min read 5 stepsApril 19, 2026Verified April 2026

How to Add and Use Chrome Extensions

Chrome extensions add features to your browser — like a password manager, ad blocker, or coupon finder. Here's how to find and install ones that are actually useful.

At a Glance

Open the Chrome Web Store

~15s

In Chrome on your computer, click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner and choose "Extensions" > "Visit Chrome Web Store." Or go directly to chrome.google.com/webstore in your address bar.

Search for an extension

~21s

Use the search bar at the top of the Chrome Web Store to search for what you want — for example, "Honey coupons" or "ad blocker." Read the description and check the star rating and number of users before installing.

Quick Tip

Extensions with millions of users and high ratings are generally trustworthy. Be cautious of extensions with very few users or low ratings.

Install the extension

~15s

Click "Add to Chrome" on the extension's page. A pop-up will describe what permissions the extension needs. Review them and click "Add extension" to confirm. The extension installs instantly — no restart needed.

Find and use your new extension

~19s

After installing, click the puzzle piece icon at the far right of your address bar. You'll see a list of all your installed extensions. Click the pin icon next to an extension's name to pin it so it always shows in your toolbar. Then click the extension's icon whenever you want to use it.

Remove an extension you no longer need

~19s

Click the puzzle piece icon, find the extension you want to remove, and click the three dots next to its name. Choose "Remove from Chrome." The extension is uninstalled immediately and won't affect your browser going forward.

Warning

Only install extensions from the official Chrome Web Store, not from random websites. Unofficial sources can distribute harmful software.

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Chrome extensions are small add-ons you install inside your Google Chrome browser that give it extra features. Think of them like apps, but for your browser rather than your phone.

Some popular and genuinely useful extensions include: - **Honey** — automatically finds and applies coupon codes at checkout on shopping sites - **LastPass or Bitwarden** — password managers that save and auto-fill your passwords - **uBlock Origin** — blocks ads and pop-ups so webpages load faster and look cleaner - **Google Translate** — adds a translate button to instantly translate foreign-language pages - **Grammarly** — checks your spelling and grammar as you type in emails and forms - **Rakuten** — alerts you to cashback offers while you shop online

Extensions are installed from the Chrome Web Store, which is Google's official marketplace. Any extension in the store must meet Google's guidelines, so it's generally safe to install from there. That said, avoid installing extensions you've never heard of or ones that ask for more permissions than they need — only add what you'll actually use.

Once installed, extensions appear as small icons to the right of your address bar. Some show up automatically; others need you to click the puzzle piece icon to see and pin them. You can remove any extension at any time, which immediately returns your browser to exactly how it was before.

Extensions only work in Chrome on a computer — they don't carry over to Chrome on your phone or to other browsers like Safari or Firefox.

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