Given that the Google Chrome app is readily accessible on iOS, you might find yourself curious about whether it is possible to get Chrome extensions on your iPhone or iPad to enrich your browser experience.
Unfortunately, the iOS version of Google Chrome does not currently support extensions, leaving users seeking alternative ways to access their favourite tools and functionalities on mobile.
In this guide, we'll introduce two effective methods to help you access and utilize Chrome extensions on your iPhone, bypassing the current limitations of Google Chrome for iOS.
How to use Chrome extensions on iPhone
You can use Chrome extensions on your iPhone by installing the Orion. It is a web browser that supports extensions based on the open-standard WebExtensions APIs, which power browser extensions for Chrome.
To install extensions on the Orion Browser on iOS, open the browser, navigate to the settings or menu options to find the extensions section, and then browse or search for the extensions you wish to install.
An alternate method
You can use Chrome extensions on iPhone via the Chrome Remote Desktop app for iPhone and iPad. For the uninitiated, it is an app that allows you to securely access your computer from your iOS device.
With the Chrome Remote Desktop app, access the Google Chrome application to use all of the Chrome extensions installed on your browser. You can set up remote access to your PC by following the steps below.
- On your computer, open Chrome.
- In the address bar, enter remotedesktop.google.com/access.
- Under Set up Remote Access, click Download.
- Follow the instructions to set up your computer for remote access
- On your iOS device, open the app, sign in with a Google account, and tap on the computer you wish to connect to.
It's not exactly what you wished for, but it does give you access to Chrome extensions from your iPhone even though the experience isn't ideal. It's better than nothing though.
Alternatively, if you are keen on using extensions on your iPhone, you can use the native browser (Safari) which allows installing extensions to customize the way your browser works. Although the extension library isn't large, Apple Store has most of the important ones. Give it a try.