Warning - 🛑 Please Check The Extension File Carefully Before Using It
What You’ll Need:
- A folder or ZIP file containing the Chrome extension source code
- Google Chrome (latest version)
- Basic knowledge of file management.
Steps to add Extensions to Chrome using the ZIP file.
Open Google Chrome.
In the address bar, type: chrome://extensions/
and hit Enter.
It looks like this on your laptop.
Enable Developer Mode
On the top-right corner of the Extensions page, turn on Developer mode using the toggle switch.
Click on the Load Unpacked Button
If your extension is in a ZIP file, extract it first using any unzip tool.
-
Make sure the extracted folder contains a
manifest.json
file—this is essential for Chrome to recognise the extension.
Select the Extension Folder
Click the "Load unpacked" button.
-
Browse to the extracted extension folder.
-
Select the folder and click "Open".
Chrome will now load the extension. You should see it appear in your list of installed extensions.
Chrome will now load the extension. You should see it appear in your list of installed extensions.
Conclusion:
Adding extensions to Chrome from a ZIP file can be a useful way to install custom or unreleased extensions.
By following these step-by-step instructions, you can enable Developer mode, load the unpacked extension, and enjoy the additional features and functionalities it provides.