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Chrome Hiding Extension Icons By Default

by Tim Leland

Chrome Hiding Extension Icons By Default - Tim Leland

Back in June 2019, Google Chrome started hiding extension icons by default when users first install a new extension. This can be very frustrating as a developer that users may not know how to “Pin” the extension to their toolbar. In my case, my Weather Extension, Link Shortener Extension, and Bitcoin Extension are all toolbar […]

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 on January 14, 2021
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    We've also found it hard for users to find the extension and open the extension options

    A few ideas to help with discoverability:

    • On install, have Chrome open a page that shows the user how to pin the extension
    • If you have a home page for your extension, have it show whether or not you have the extension installed and how to pin the extension. You can do this either by having your extension edit the page (via content script), or by making the page externally connectable
    • If it makes sense for your extension, use page actions instead of browser actions
    tschiller
    ·
    3 years ago
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  2. 1

    Hey @timleland,
    Totally agree. Its a very confusing thing, especially if this is your users first extension install. I've had users tell me they installed but nothing happened! The jigsaw icon is pretty opaque. Also the little pop-up that shows up takes you to the general extensions preference page, which is totally confusing!
    Tony

    tconfrey
    ·
    3 years ago
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