How To
15 Best Chrome extensions for Instagram
- June 28, 2022
- Updated: October 7, 2024 at 6:46 PM
While IG is extremely popular for mobile devices, the browser version doesn’t work so well on Chrome. There are some features missing, and posting isn’t as easy or enjoyable. Fortunately, there are several Chrome extensions for Instagram that add more functionality to save you time and make you feel more productive.
We’ve created a list of the top Instagram extensions for Chrome you may find beneficial. Whether it’s for downloading, uploading, direct messages, or stalking videos anonymously, you’ll find them here.
Top Chrome extensions for reading
Desktop For Instagram
While using the official desktop Instagram app works well, it doesn’t have the full functionality of the mobile version. Even the browser version has some limitations. The Desktop for Instagram extension for Chrome presents a mobile layout on your screen with most of the same features.
One of the missing features is being able to send direct messages. Still, you’ll be able to browse posts, stories, and videos in the same format as your phone, in portrait instead of landscape.
IG Downloader
If you’re into saving posts or downloading images and videos, you should try IG Downloader for Chrome. The extension adds a download icon by an image on a profile, while you’ll see a save button by posts and videos. There’s also a Download All button next to the Follow icon on the profile.
The issue is that Instagram will block you for about five minutes if you download too much content within a short span of time. So choose your images carefully, and leave some space between downloading. Those pictures will still be there when you return later.
Hiddengram – view insta stories anonymously
When you view someone’s Instagram story on Chrome, two things happen. The circle around the profile’s story icon vanishes, and the person can see you viewed it. We all have our reasons for not wanting someone to know we saw it (don’t lie, we know you do). Hiddengram – view insta stories anonymously quickly removes your name from the viewers list.
Also, you’ll notice that the red circle returns to the story icon. It’s like heading to an email you read, and marking it as unread. The difference here is that the other person is unaware you’ve been spying on, I mean, watching them.
Night Mode for Instagram
Would you like to protect your eyes from the massive amount of white colors in the Instagram background when you’re browsing on Chrome? Yes, the browser has a dark mode, but Night Mode for Instagram will only change your IG page to dark mode. The surroundings go darker and the text becomes white.
So, if you find that reading IG on Chrome becomes difficult and hurts your eyes, you only need to click on the Night Mode for Instagram icon once you install the extension on Chrome. Disabling it is just as easy.
Extension for Instagram
This add-on for Chrome might as well have been called the Ultimate Extension for Instagram, as it adds so many features to the browser version. You can download and upload directly from and to your feed. There’s even keyboard navigation if you prefer that over your mouse.
For videos, you’ll have a mini video player with a few settings to enjoy. It even lets you open images in a new Chrome tab. The best part is that you can insert clickable links in the comment or post description. It’s a feature Instagram desperately needs.
Image Downloader for IW
Here’s another Chrome extension designed for saving images on your PC. Image Downloader for IW adds a small arrow icon to all images on a profile or your feed. When you click on it, the add-on will download the picture to your computer.
You need to note that the extension saves it to your PC’s default folder for downloading from the internet. Make sure you have enough storage on that drive before you start saving. Alternatively, you can change the default download folder on Windows.
Direct Message for Instagram™
The developer of this Chrome extension obviously created Direct Message for Instagram before the IG browser version added the ability to send direct messages. Even though we can now send DMs, this add-on is still handy to have installed. It improves the DM experience and alerts you to new messages.
It has a few other features, too. You can take screenshot captures more easily, upload images directly to IG, and add stories from your PC. However, some of the tools it offers are now obsolete, such as IGTV.
Comment bot for IG
Businesses may find the Comment bot for IG extension for Chrome beneficial. Once installed, it lets you search for a hashtag term and adds your comment to all posts related to it. It also works by location, feed, or someone’s followers.
When you select the icon, a window will appear to ask you what task you’d like to assign. Each selection has different criteria you need to complete. Keep in mind that Instagram may have restrictions on how many comments you can send in a specific time.
IG Commenter – Comment Bot for Instagram
If the above Chrome extension isn’t working as well as you’d like, you can try IG Commenter – Comment Bot for Instagram. You’ll receive a window asking you how you’d like to comment, via feed, tags, location, or followers. An adorable bot image will appear showing you that it’s at work.
You can close Instagram if you need to leave, and the extension will continue to perform the task. Even if you close Chrome, it works on the cloud to send the comments to the required posts.
IG Follower Export tool
Do you need to see a profile’s followers and related details for marketing purposes? The IG Follower Export tool for Chrome pulls all the data through and supplies it on a CSV file. You can see the profile name, how many followers they have, how many people they are following, and bio information. It even draws the public email.
The only issue with using this valuable tool is that Instagram may detect the activity if you do it too often. If it does, your account may be blocked, so use moderation.
Media Helper for Instagram
This basic Chrome extension does nothing more than adding a download icon to images so you can download them. You’ll also be able to download videos to your PC, which you can repurpose if you wish to reuse it. A word of caution: don’t reuse or repost images that are under copyright.
Once again, you’ll need to limit how many images you download using this Instagram extension for Chrome. It’s a helpful tool if you need pictures for your academic assignments or work projects.
Unsaver for Instagram
There’s an IG function I like to use where I save posts in bookmarks so I can view them later again. It’s usually related to gaming, bonsai, or fishing posts. If you do the same, Unsaver for Instagram lets you quickly unsave any posts without needing to do so for each and every one yourself.
It saves you so much time, especially if you have old posts in your bookmarks you no longer want to see. However, the developer has warned that IG is known for blocking accounts that use it too regularly.
App for Instagram™
The App for Instagram extension for Chrome is another add-on that seems to have it all. You can download and upload media, change to the mobile layout, and switch to IG dark mode. There’s also a screen-capture mode that sends images to your clipboard.
You’ll also find some outdated features that aren’t as useful as they may have been in the past, such as IGTV and direct messaging. It’s useful, though, if you want to add some mobile functions to the Chrome browser version.
Anonymous View for Instagram Stories
As the name suggests, you can view an IG Story without the person knowing you’re there. While you may find this useful, there are other features I enjoy more on Anonymous View for Instagram Stories. For instance, you can record a live IG video to watch offline later.
It’s helpful when you’re busy working and don’t have time to watch the video at that moment. While the developer claims it’s the only Chrome extension that lets you upload videos and images to Stories, we already have some on this list that do that too.
Controls for Instagram Videos
Are you tired of simply pausing and playing IG videos? Controls for Instagram Videos adds more functions to your Chrome browser for videos. When you activate it, you’ll see new buttons at the bottom of the media. If you don’t see it, you’ll need to refresh your page.
When Instagram updated the Chrome version, some of the extension’s features stopped working. The developer has been hard at work fixing those bugs. Still, you should expect some issues when IG updates again.
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