How to Update Chrome Extensions Manually

How Do You Update Chrome Extensions Manually?

Chrome usually updates extensions on its own, but you can force every installed extension to check for a new version right now. Open chrome://extensions, switch on Developer mode, then click the Update button that appears in the toolbar. Chrome checks the Chrome Web Store for a newer version of each extension you have installed and installs anything it finds within a few seconds.

1. Open a new tab and type chrome://extensions into the address bar, then press Enter.
2. In the top-right corner, turn on the Developer mode toggle.
3. Click the Update button that appears next to it in the toolbar.
4. Wait a few seconds while Chrome checks the Chrome Web Store and installs any newer versions it finds; updated cards briefly reflow as their version numbers change.

This works the same way on Windows, Mac, ChromeOS, and Linux — Developer mode and the Update button live in the same spot in every build of Chrome, so there's no separate process to remember on a Chromebook versus a laptop. For extensions beyond what's already on your machine, browse the full Chrome extension directory to compare alternatives before you install something new.

Do Chrome Extensions Update Automatically?

Yes. Chrome checks for extension updates in the background without you doing anything, then installs new versions the next time the extension is idle or Chrome restarts. The manual method above exists because that background check runs on Chrome's own schedule, not yours, so it can lag behind when you need a fix right away.

Chrome treats an extension as idle when none of its background pages or open tabs are actively using it. If a laptop has been asleep for days, or Chrome hasn't been fully closed in a while, the browser gets fewer opportunities to swap in a new version — which is often why a manual check feels necessary after a long stretch away from a machine.

• The extension is disabled in chrome://extensions.
• Your computer has been offline or asleep since the update was published.
• Chrome hasn't been restarted in a long time, so the new version hasn't been activated yet.
• A workplace or school policy manages your Chrome profile and controls update timing.
• The extension was loaded unpacked (sideloaded) rather than installed from the Chrome Web Store — these never auto-update.

When Should You Force a Chrome Extension Update?

Forcing an update makes sense whenever you can't afford to wait for Chrome's own schedule. The clearest signal is a developer's changelog or support page announcing a fix you actually need.

A security patch was just announced

Password managers and content blockers like Bitwarden or uBlock Origin Lite publish fixes quickly; forcing the check gets the patch onto your machine immediately instead of waiting for Chrome's own timing.

A feature you were promised is missing

If a changelog mentions a new option you don't see, your installed copy may simply not have caught up to it yet.

The extension broke after a Chrome update

New Chrome releases occasionally expose bugs that a developer patches within days; check for an update before assuming the extension is abandoned.

You're about to rely on it for something important

Before a deadline, a presentation, or recording a class with Loom or proofing text with Grammarly, a manual check confirms you're on the latest, most stable build.

How Do You Update an Unpacked or Sideloaded Extension?

Extensions loaded from a local folder for development or testing don't go through the Chrome Web Store's update system, so the Update button in Developer mode won't touch them. You refresh those manually instead.

1. Replace the files in the extension's folder with the new version.
2. Open chrome://extensions and find the card for that extension.
3. Click the small circular reload icon on the card (it only appears once Developer mode is on).
4. Check the version number listed under the extension's name to confirm the change actually took effect.

If you don't see a reload icon at all, double-check that Developer mode is switched on — it's a separate toggle from Chrome's own restart button and it's the only place that icon shows up.

Why Isn't My Chrome Extension Updating?

Most stuck updates trace back to one of a handful of causes. Work through this table before assuming something is genuinely broken.

If none of these fixes stick, check whether Chrome itself needs updating: open the three-dot menu, go to Help, then About Google Chrome. An outdated browser can occasionally block extensions from receiving current packages.

Where Do You Find Your Google Chrome Extensions?

There are two quick routes to your installed extensions, and both work whether you're checking versions or just cleaning up your toolbar.

1. Click the puzzle-piece Extensions icon to the right of the address bar, then select Manage extensions.
2. Or open the three-dot menu in the top-right corner, choose Extensions, then Manage Extensions.
3. Type chrome://extensions directly into the address bar to reach the same page instantly.
4. Click Details on any card to see its permissions, version number, and an Enable/Remove toggle.

Right-click any extension's icon on the toolbar and choose Pin so it stays visible instead of hiding in the puzzle-piece overflow menu — handy if you're checking one you use daily. This same page is also where you review what an extension can actually access; see our permissions guide if something listed looks broader than you'd expect.

How Do You Update Chrome Extensions on Your Phone?

Chrome for Android and iOS doesn't run desktop extensions at all, so there's no in-app update to trigger on the phone itself. What you can do from a phone is queue an extension to install — or update — on your desktop Chrome the next time you open it.

1. On your phone, open Chrome and go to the Chrome Web Store.
2. Find the extension and tap Add to Desktop.
3. Open Chrome on your computer later — a message confirms the extension was installed or updated, and it syncs to any device signed into the same Google account.

This isn't a limitation of your particular phone or Chrome version. Chrome for Android and Chrome for iOS have never supported the extension platform the desktop browser uses, so if you need extension-like functionality on a phone, that has to come from a different mobile browser rather than from installing a Web Store item directly.

Why Can't You Update Extensions on a Work or School Chrome?

If your organization manages your Chrome profile, an admin can pin extensions to a specific version, block the Chrome Web Store entirely, or control exactly when updates roll out — the Update button may simply do nothing in that case.

Signs your browser is managed include a notice inside Settings reading something like "Your browser is managed by your organization," or a policy list visible at chrome://policy. If a needed update is blocked, ask IT rather than repeatedly forcing a check; managed policies override anything you can do from the extensions page.

Which Extensions Are Most Important to Keep Updated?

Not every extension carries the same risk if it lags a version behind. Prioritize the ones handling passwords, tracking protection, or a full view of every page you visit, and check them right after any Chrome update — it takes under a minute using the steps above.

For more Chrome extension guides like this one, browse the Find Extensions blog, or check our methodology for how listings on this site are evaluated in the first place.