Using Extensions in Vivaldi | Vivaldi Browser Help

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What is an extension?

An extension is a small software program that can be installed to give added functionality to the Vivaldi browser. Extensions allow you to further customize and enhance your usage of the browser and range from social media tools to privacy-related features such as ad-blocking.

Extensions in Vivaldi

Although Vivaldi aims to provide as much built-in functionality as possible, many users further fine-tune the browsing experience using extensions.

Because Vivaldi is built using the Chromium web browser project, extensions available in the Chrome Web Store can also be installed in Vivaldi. In some instances, extensions built for the Chrome browser will behave differently when installed in Vivaldi, but for the most part, your favorite Chrome extensions will work just fine in Vivaldi.

In case an extension does not work as expected, please discuss the extension on our Forum, to see if the issue can be solved or if our Community members can suggest alternatives. Contacting the extension developers can help as well.

Install an extension in Vivaldi:

Browse to the Chrome Web Store;
Select the Extensions category;
Search for the desired extension;
Click Add to Chrome to install the extension in Vivaldi.

If you don’t see the button Add to Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Google Extensions and make sure the option Web Store has been enabled.

In case, an extension isn’t available on the Chrome Web Store you can upload them manually:

Go to the Extensions page;
Enable Developer mode from a toggle in the top right corner of the page;
Click Load unpacked on the new menu that appears;
Find the extension folder in your File Manager (if you have it as a .zip file, extract it first);
Click Select Folder to load the extension to Vivaldi.

Import Extensions

You can import Extensions to Vivaldi from other Chromium-based browsers, for example, Chrome, Edge, Opera, etc.

To import Extensions:

Make sure the browser you want to export from is closed.
In Vivaldi, go to the Vivaldi menu > File > Import from Applications or Files.
Select the Chromium-based browser you want to import data from.
Click “Start Import”.
When the import has finished, click “Close”
On the Extensions management page that opens, enable the extensions you want to use in Vivaldi by clicking the toggle button at the bottom right corner of each extension card.

Import dialog open in the Vivaldi browser with an arrow pointing to Extensions.

Allow third-party extensions to control the Start Page

To have a custom Start Page page using an extension:

Open Vivaldi Settings;
Go to Tabs > New Tab Page;
Tick the Controlled by Extension checkbox.

Manage Extensions

The Extensions page gives an overview of the extensions currently installed, the ability to disable or delete extensions and adjust extension-specific settings.

Access the Extensions page

To open the Extensions page go to the Vivaldi Menu > Tools > Extensions.

The Extensions page can also be accessed by:

using a Keyboard Shortcuts Ctrl+Shift+E / ⌃ ⌘ E;
typing “Extensions” in Quick Commands;
right-clicking on an extension button in the Address Bar and selecting Manage Extensions;
entering vivaldi://extensions in the Address Bar;
creating a Mouse Gesture for the action.

Access extensions using Quick Commands

To open the extension’s popup or options:

Open Quick Commands (F2 / ⌘ E);
Type in the extension’s name;
Use arrow keys to select the extension;
Press Enter to open the extension’s popup or Ctrl + Enter / ⌘ Enter to open the extension’s options page (if the extension has one).

Change extension settings

Some Extensions have settings you can change. To check these options:

Right-click on the Extension on the Address Bar and select Options from the context menu;
Alternatively, click on Details > Extension Options on the Extensions page.

Update extensions

Extensions usually update automatically. To manually update extensions:

Go to the Extensions page;
Enable Developer mode from a toggle in the top right corner of the page;
Click Update on the new menu that appears.

Disable extensions

To disable an extension:

Open the Extensions page;
Click on the toggle button in the lower right corner of the extension card.

Lower half of an extension card on the Extension page

Disabling extensions is a good way to test whether an issue you’re encountering in the browser is caused by an Extension or not.

Remove extensions

To remove an extension:

Right-click on the Extension on the Address Bar and select Remove Extension from the context menu;
Alternatively, click Remove on the Extension page.

Confirm your decision by clicking Remove again in the confirmation dialog.

Hide extension buttons

To hide or show an extension, right-click on its button and select Hide Button/Show Button. Use the Show/Hide hidden extensions toggle button on the right to view hidden extensions. To view hidden extensions in a drop-down menu instead of expanding the Address Bar (compare the images below), go to Settings > Address Bar > Extension Visibility and tick the box for Expand Hidden Extensions to Drop-Down Menu.

Hidden extensions displayed on the Address Bar — Hidden Extensions on the Address Bar

Hidden extensions displayed in a drop down menu — Hidden Extensions in a drop-down menu

Move extensions

By default, Extensions will be accessible from the right side of the Address Bar. If that location doesn’t suit you, you can move them to the Panels sidebar or Status Bar. Note that all extensions are grouped together and cannot be moved individually to different locations on the browser’s toolbars,

To move Extensions:

Option 1

Open the toolbar editor from the Vivaldi menu > View > Customize Toolbar.
From its current location, drag the Extensions button to your preferred location.

Option 2

If you’ve hidden some extensions and see the Extensions button next to your visible extensions, you can move them without needing to open the Toolbar Editor.

Hold down the Ctrl/⌘* key.
Drag the Extensions button to your preferred location.

*On macOS, release the ⌘ key before you release the mouse button.

Reorder extensions

Enabled extensions often display a button. You can reorder these buttons among themselves by holding down the Ctrl/⌘* key and dragging and dropping them directly on the Address Bar.