How to Use Chrome Extensions in Incognito Mode

Chrome turns extensions off in Incognito windows by default, so your ad blocker, password manager or dark mode won't be there until you switch it on. You choose extension by extension.

How to allow an extension in Incognito

1. Go to chrome://extensions, or click the puzzle-piece icon and choose Manage extensions.
2. Click Details under the extension.
3. Turn on Allow in Incognito.

Open a new Incognito window (Ctrl + Shift + N, or Cmd + Shift + N on Mac) and the extension's icon appears there too. Windows that were already open may need closing and reopening.

What the warning means

When you turn the switch on, Chrome warns that it can't stop the extension from recording your browsing history. That's the point of the default: in Incognito, Chrome itself doesn't save your history, but an extension with access to your pages could, and could send it to its developer. Only allow extensions you'd trust with that, and check what permissions they have.

Which extensions are worth allowing

• Ad and tracker blockers. Sites still track you within an Incognito session, so blocking trackers is useful there.
• Password managers, so you can sign in without typing passwords from memory.
• Accessibility and comfort tools, such as dark mode, zoom or reading aids.

Leave off anything that saves what you do, like history trackers, note-takers, time trackers and shopping assistants, unless you want that record.

How extensions behave in Incognito

• Most extensions share their settings between normal and Incognito windows, so changing a setting in one changes it in both. A few keep a separate copy for Incognito.
• Anything an extension saves to its own account (synced notes, for example) is saved as usual. Incognito only stops Chrome from saving.
• Guest mode has no extensions at all, and you can't turn them on there.
• On work or school computers, your administrator may block extensions in Incognito.

Quick fixes when it doesn't work

• No "Allow in Incognito" switch? Your administrator may have turned it off, or the extension may not support it.
• Extension icon missing? Click the puzzle-piece icon in the Incognito window and pin it.
• Site still broken? Remember that Incognito also blocks third-party cookies, which some sign-in pop-ups and embedded content need. You can allow them for one site from the eye icon in the address bar.

For what Incognito does and doesn't hide, see Incognito vs normal mode.