Chrome extension permissions, explained
Chrome shows a warning when an extension asks for access to your data. These pages explain each permission in plain English: what it allows, which kinds of extensions legitimately need it and how to review or remove it.
- Chrome extension read and change all your data permission"Read and change all your data on all websites" means the extension can see and modify the content of every page you open, including…
- Chrome extension clipboardRead permissionThe clipboardRead permission lets an extension read the contents of your clipboard, shown to users as "read data you copy and paste".
- Chrome extension cookies permissionThe cookies permission lets an extension read, create and delete cookies for the sites you visit, shown to users as "access cookies on…
- Chrome extension declarativeNetRequest permissionThe declarativeNetRequest permission lets an extension block, redirect or modify network requests using predefined rules, shown to users…
- Chrome extension downloads permissionThe downloads permission lets an extension start, monitor, pause, resume or remove downloads in Chrome, shown to users as "manage your…
- Chrome extension history permissionThe history permission lets an extension read, search and delete entries in your Chrome browsing history, shown to users as "read and…
- Chrome extension notifications permissionThe notifications permission lets an extension show desktop notifications through Chrome, shown to users as "display notifications".
- Chrome extension scripting permissionThe scripting permission lets an extension inject and run JavaScript or CSS on pages you visit, shown to users as "run scripts on pages…
- Chrome extension storage permissionThe storage permission lets an extension save and retrieve its own settings and data locally, and Chrome does not show a warning for it…
- Chrome extension tabs permissionThe tabs permission lets an extension see the URLs, titles and status of your open browser tabs, which Chrome describes to users as "read…
Chrome extension permissions, explained: FAQs
What does "read and change all your data on all websites" mean?
It means the extension can view and modify the content of any page you open in Chrome, on every website, not just specific ones. It is one of the broadest permissions Chrome warns users about before installation.
What does the Chrome extension clipboardRead permission do?
It lets the extension read the current contents of your system clipboard, typically when triggered by a user action such as pasting. Chrome shows this as "read data you copy and paste".
What does the Chrome extension cookies permission do?
It lets the extension read, create and delete cookies for websites you visit, using Chrome's cookies API. Chrome shows this as "access cookies on sites you visit" before installation.
What does the declarativeNetRequest permission do?
It lets an extension supply rules that tell Chrome to block, redirect or modify network requests, such as blocking ad domains, without the extension needing to inspect every request's content itself.
What does the Chrome extension downloads permission do?
It lets the extension start, monitor, pause, resume or delete downloads and access your download history, using Chrome's downloads API. Chrome shows this as "manage your downloads".
What does the Chrome extension history permission do?
It lets the extension read, search and modify your browsing history through Chrome's history API. Chrome shows this to users as "read and change your browsing history" before installation.
What does the Chrome extension notifications permission do?
It lets the extension display desktop notifications with a title, message and icon through Chrome, shown to users as "display notifications" before installation.
What does the Chrome extension scripting permission do?
It lets the extension inject and run JavaScript or CSS on pages you visit, which is how it can change page appearance, add features or automate actions. Chrome shows this as "run scripts on pages you visit".
What does the Chrome extension storage permission do?
It lets an extension save and retrieve its own data, such as settings or a saved list, locally on your device or synced across your signed-in browsers, without accessing your browsing activity.
What does the tabs permission do in Chrome extensions?
It lets the extension see the URL, title and status of your open tabs, and often create, close or move tabs. Chrome shows this to users as the ability to "read your browsing history".