- Use Chrome Remote Desktop to access your PC or Mac's Chrome extensions on your iPad.
- You can install Chrome extensions with Orion, a free alternative browser.
- Safari allows extensions, so check for Safari versions of your favorite Chrome extensions.
Can you install Chrome extensions on an iPad?
Chrome extensions are not supported on iOS. But even though you can't install Chrome extensions directly from the Chrome Web Store on iOS, there are some tricks for accessing your favorite extensions from your tablet. While there was a workaround that involved porting Chrome extensions to Safari using Xcode on your Mac, this workaround relied on early versions of macOS, Xcode, and iOS to work. For now, the workarounds we cover in this article are the only options that we can confirm do work.
Chrome Remote Desktop
Install Chrome Remote Desktop on your PC or Mac. Chrome Remote Desktop allows you to access your home computer's screen from your iPad, even if you're not nearby. If you need to use a Chrome extension that you have on your computer, such as a cryptocurrency wallet, Chrome Remote Desktop lets you access it remotely from your iPad. On your home computer, go to https://remotedesktop.google.com/access in Chrome. Click the Download icon (an arrow pointing downward over a horizontal line), and then click Add to Chrome on the Chrome Remote Desktop page. Follow the on-screen instructions to install.
Install Chrome Remote Desktop on your iPad. To install the app, search the App Store for Chrome Remote Desktop, or follow this link.
Go to https://remotedesktop.google.com/access on your computer. Now that Remote Desktop is installed, you can allow your iPad to access your computer remotely. This will allow you to use the version of Chrome installed on your computer (and all installed extensions). As long as your computer is connected to the internet, you'll be able to use Chrome and its extensions from your iPad no matter where you are.
Allow access to your computer. To enable desktop sharing from the Remote Desktop website: Click the blue Turn On button. Type a name for your computer and click Next. Create a numeric PIN (at least 6 numbers). Click Start. Chrome Remote Desktop is now active.
Open the Chrome Remote Desktop app on your iPad and sign in. When prompted, log in to the same Google account you use with Chrome on your computer.
Tap the name you assigned your computer. Once you're signed in, you'll see a list of devices associated with your Google account. As long as your computer is connected to the internet and turned on, you should see it on the list with "online" below its name. If you're away from your computer and it's not showing as online, it may have gone into sleep mode. You'll need to disable Sleep Mode to keep your PC or Mac awake even when inactive.
Enter the PIN and tap the arrow. Once connected, you'll see your PC or Mac's desktop and any open apps on the screen. While you're connected, a pop-up will appear on your computer's screen that says "Your desktop is currently shared with (your Google account name)." If you want to end the connection from your computer, click Stop Sharing.
Use your favorite Chrome extensions. Now that you can use Chrome on your computer from your iPad, you can access any Chrome extensions that you've installed on your computer.
Safari Extensions
Open your iPad's Settings iPhone Settings App Icon. Unlike Chrome, you can install Safari extensions on an iPad. Depending on the Chrome extension you want to install, there may be a Safari equivalent. For example, if you want to use a password manager like LastPass or 1Password, you can install a Safari extension. This will mean you'll need to switch to Safari to use the extension.
Scroll down and tap Safari. It's in the 5th group of settings.
Tap Extensions. You'll see this under "General." This displays any Safari extensions you've already installed on your iPad.
Tap More Extensions. It's below existing installed extensions (if any). This opens the Safari Extensions page on the App Store.
Find a Safari extension. Unfortunately, the App Store is not really optimized for finding Safari extensions. If you tap Search, you'll be searching the entire App Store (regular iPad apps included), not just Safari extensions. There's no way to search the App Store for Safari extensions without showing actual iPad apps in the search results, but you do have options: Tap See All next to "Essential Safari Extensions," "Top Free," and "Top Paid" to view lists of Safari extensions. Alternatively, tap Search at the bottom-right and search for safari extensions. You can also search for the name of the extension you want and "Safari extension." Just keep in mind that some regular iPad apps may show up in the search results.
Tap GET or an extension's price to install it. This installs the Safari extension on your iPad.
Enable the extension. Once installed, you'll need to enable the extension to use it. Here's how: Open Settings. Tap Safari. If you installed a content-blocking extension like Adblock, you'll see it under "Allow these content blockers." Other extensions will appear under "Allow these extensions." Tap the switch next to an extension to enable it. Once enabled, your extension will be available in Safari.
Orion Browser
Install Orion browser on your iPad. Orion is an alternate web browser that supports many (but not all) Chrome extensions on iOS. If the Chrome extension you want to use is supported by Orion browser, it'll be easy to install on your iPad. Orion is available for free from the App Store. Because of Apple's API limitations, Orion cannot run all Chrome extensions. Orion also has other features, including ad-blocking and tracking protection.
Open Orion and tap the three-dot menu ••• . You'll see it at the bottom-right corner of Orion.
Tap Settings. It's at the bottom of the menu.
Scroll down and turn on Chrome extensions iPhone Switch On Icon. You'll see this toggle switch in the "Extensions" section. This allows you to install Chrome extensions on your iPad. Once enabled, a new Extensions menu will be added to the main three-dot menu.
Install extensions from the Chrome Web Store. Now that you've enabled Chrome extension support, you can use Orion to browse the Chrome Web Store and install extensions just as you would on your computer. To get started, go to https://chrome.google.com/webstore/category/extensions. If you install the uBlock Origin extension, disable Orion's built-in content blocker. Otherwise, uBlock won't work properly. Go to Settings > Content Blockers and tap the "Other websites" switch to turn it off. Some extensions may install without trouble but won't work properly once installed. If you run into this problem, there might be a Firefox version of the extension that works. Enable Firefox extensions (in Settings) and then go to https://addons.mozilla.org to install Firefox add-ons.
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