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How to Enable Extensions in Chrome Incognito Mode?

Google Chrome offers different modes for browsing websites. You can use use regular mode, as a guest user or use the private browsing mode. You can open an incognito window to start private browsing which will delete the browsing history when you close the browser. This is a cool way to keep your private activities without any trace or tracking. However, there is one problem that incognito mode by default will disable all Chrome extensions. In this article, we will explain how to enable extensions in Chrome incognito mode.

Google Chrome Extensions in Incognito Mode

Though privacy is the major purpose of incognito mode, you can also use it for troubleshooting your browser. Chrome by default disables all installed extensions on the browser when using incognito mode. This will help you to check if the extensions are causing problems like crashing your browser. However, you may need the extensions for doing regular work on your browser which is not possible with incognito mode.

For instance, you may use ad blocker extension in Chrome to block unwanted advertisements. When you go to incognito mode, your ad blocker extension will be disabled and you will start seeing annoying ads. You will not see the puzzle icon right to the browse’s address bar and there will be no options to enable or disable extensions in incognito mode.

Extensions Disabled in Chrome Incognito Mode
Extensions Disabled in Chrome Incognito Mode

Enable Chrome Extensions in Incognito Mode

Good part is that you can enable the extensions using one of the Chrome settings.

  • When you are in Google Chrome, open chrome://settings/ command URL.
  • Click “Extensions” from the right sidebar. If you do not see the sidebar, click on the hamburger menu to expand it.
Go to Extensions Page
Go to Extensions Page
  • You will see the extensions page showing all installed extensions on your browser.
  • Click “Details” button below the extension that you want to enable in incognito mode.
Click Extension Details
Click Extension Details
  • Scroll down on the extension’s detail page and enable “Allow in incognito” option.
Enable Allow In Incognito Mode
Enable Allow In Incognito Mode

As you can see the warning, Chrome can’t stop the extension to record your browsing history. Therefore, enable this option only for the extensions you really trust.

Note that you can access the extensions page by clicking on the three vertical dots on the top right corner that says, “Customize and control Google Chrome”. And then navigate to “More Tools > Extensions” menu.

Go to Extensions Page from Menu
Go to Extensions Page from Menu

Similarly, you can go to particular extension’s detail page by right clicking the extension icon and selecting “Manage Extension” menu.

Manage Extensions
Manage Extensions

Check in Incognito Mode

Now, press “Command + Shift + N” in Mac or “Control + Shift + N” in Windows to open a new incognito window in Chrome browser. You will see the puzzle icon is back next to the address bar. Click on it to see the list of extensions you have enabled for incognito mode. You can click on the required extension to using on the page.

Extension Enabled in Incognito Mode
Extension Enabled in Incognito Mode

Remember, you need to enable the extensions one by one for using in incognito mode. Similarly, you need to go to settings and disable them one by one when you don’t need them.

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