Submit

Browse every extension by category.

All categories

Start from the job you need done.

All use cases

Starter kits for the way you work.

All professions

Extensions that upgrade the sites you already use.

All websites

Side-by-side verdicts and honest alternatives.

All comparisons

Free, single-page tools. No sign-up, most run right in your browser.

Chrome & browser
Privacy tests
Developer utilities
Images & media
Website inspector
Device checks
AI & productivity
All free tools

How-tos, safety explainers and data studies.

All guides
Submit an extension

↑↓ move · ↵ open · Tab filter · Esc close

User-Agent Switcher Chrome extension

User-Agent Switcher for Chrome lets you spoof or mimic another browser's user-agent string on any site with one click, useful for testing responsive layouts or checking how a page behaves on a different browser or device. It's best for developers and testers. The catch: it only changes the reported user-agent, not other fingerprinting signals.

  • PriceFree
  • CategoryDeveloper Tools
  • Works inChrome, Edge, Brave (desktop)
  • ✓No account needed

Last checked against the Chrome Web Store listing · Independent, not affiliated with Google

Add to Chrome See alternatives

Pros

  • free to use
  • one-click switching from the toolbar
  • covers a range of popular browser and device user-agent strings
  • works per-site via context menu

Cons

  • changes only the user-agent string, not other fingerprint signals
  • requests broad host permissions to rewrite headers on sites you visit
  • some sites detect spoofed user-agents through other means

Best for

  • developers testing responsive or mobile layouts
  • checking how a site renders on a different browser string
  • quickly switching user-agent per site without dev tools
  • QA testers verifying browser-specific behavior

Skip it if

  • users looking for full browser fingerprint anonymization
  • anyone needing per-tab automation without manual switching

Key features

  • one-click user-agent spoofing from the toolbar
  • preset list of common browser and device user-agent strings
  • context menu access for quick switching
  • works across the sites you visit via host permissions

What User-Agent Switcher does

User-Agent Switcher for Chrome rewrites the user-agent string your browser reports to websites, letting you mimic another browser or device with one click. This is commonly used to test how a page renders under a different browser identity or to work around sites that block certain browsers based on that string.

Is User-Agent Switcher safe?

The extension asks for tabs, storage, scripting, cookies, webRequest, contextMenus, and host permissions across sites, which it needs to detect page context and rewrite the user-agent header on the sites you visit. It does not, by itself, hide your IP address or other fingerprinting details.

Featured in

Guides featuring User-Agent Switcher

User-Agent Switcher: FAQs

Does User-Agent Switcher for Chrome cost anything?

No. The store listing shows it as a free install, and nothing in the description mentions a paid plan, trial or in-extension purchase.

What permissions does User-Agent Switcher ask for, and is that a red flag?

It lists tabs, storage, scripting, cookies, webRequest, contextMenus and host access across sites. The webRequest and host access are what let it rewrite the user-agent header before a page loads, so they fit the job. Cookie access is less obviously needed, and the listing does not explain it, so treat that as the one permission worth questioning.

How do I switch to a mobile user-agent and check the result?

Click the toolbar icon, pick a mobile browser or device string from the list, then reload the tab. To confirm it took effect, open a page that echoes your user-agent back to you, or look at the request headers in Chrome DevTools' Network panel.

What are the alternatives to User-Agent Switcher for Chrome?

Chrome DevTools has a built-in network conditions panel where you can override the user-agent for the open DevTools session, and device emulation in the same toolbar. Other switcher extensions on the store, including Advanced UA Switcher and UA Switcher and Manager, do the same header rewrite with different interfaces.

Does it let me type in my own user-agent string?

The listing describes spoofing and mimicking user-agent strings but does not say whether free-text custom strings are supported. Open the popup after installing to see; if you need a custom string for sure, Advanced UA Switcher states that it offers one.

Does changing the user-agent hide my IP address or identity?

No. It changes one header. Your IP address, cookies, screen size, installed fonts and other fingerprinting signals are unchanged, so it is a testing tool, not a privacy tool.

Why do some sites still serve me the desktop page after I switch?

Many sites decide layout from viewport width or client-side feature checks rather than the user-agent header alone. A rewritten header will not resize your window, so pair it with DevTools device emulation when you are testing responsive layouts.

Can sites tell that I am using a spoofed user-agent?

Sometimes. A site can compare the header with other signals, such as JavaScript-reported platform or touch support, and notice a mismatch. The extension only rewrites the header, so treat spoofing as a compatibility aid rather than a disguise.

Can I change the user-agent from the right-click menu?

The listing and permissions (contextMenus) indicate right-click access alongside the toolbar popup. Both should lead to the same preset list, so use whichever is faster for the tab you are on.

Is it applied to every tab or just the one I am in?

The listing does not say whether the setting is per tab or browser-wide. Check after switching by opening a second tab on a user-agent echo page, and reset to your real user-agent when you finish testing so ordinary browsing is not affected.

Is User-Agent Switcher for Chrome a good pick for QA testers?

It is a quick way to check browser-specific behaviour without another device, and one click is faster than opening DevTools. It will not replace real-device testing, since rendering engines and touch input still differ.

Will User-Agent Switcher break sites I log in to?

It can. Some services tie sessions or security checks to the user-agent, so a sudden change may trigger a re-login or a suspicious-sign-in prompt. Switch back to the default before visiting banking or account pages.