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I am trying to sync extensions between Chromium browser and two Windows 7 PC's.

  • Windows 7 PC's x2
  • Chromium Version 50.0.2626.0

So far I have downloaded the Chromium Installer from here. I have installed this on to both PC's, and signed in as the Google user. It's a fresh install so there are no bookmarks or favourites. As a test I created two bookmark folders on PC1 and these do sync between both PCs - I can see them appear on PC2 after a few seconds.

I then installed an unpacked extension extension on PC1, however this never appears on PC2. I have went to settings > extensions > checked 'Developer Mode' and clicked 'update extensions now' - nothing.

Things I have tried so far;

  • logging out/in of the browser
  • restart browser
  • clear browser cache/history/settings
  • disconnect/reconnect my Google account from both browsers
  • restart both PC's
  • uninstall/re-install CHromium on both PC's
  • waited 15 minutes (thought there may have been a delay in sync)
  • tried same process in Ubuntu 14.04

When I install a 'normal' extension from the Chrome Web Store they appear and sync just fine. So what's the issue with unpacked extensions? I am clicking 'Load unpacked extension', browsing to the (extracked) folder, and importing. The extension appears on PC1 but never on PC2.

I have a number of unpacked extensions extensions that I need synced.

I have included some images of my settings if this helps.

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Any ideas as to what else I can do or check?

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  • What does google.com/settings/chrome/sync show? If you don't see the extensions showing there make sure it's enabled by going to Settings -> Advanced Sync Settings
    – JasonSec
    Jan 20, 2016 at 13:20
  • 1
    it appears you've loaded this extension from your local drive which isn't tracked by google and thus not synced. Try installing from chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/virtual-keyboard/… instead.
    – JasonSec
    Jan 20, 2016 at 15:27
  • Well that's the problem...google syncs only what it knows you've installed from their webstore not what you've installed locally.
    – JasonSec
    Jan 21, 2016 at 13:13

2 Answers 2

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Yes, I agree with JasonSec. Sync doesn't work for unpacked extensions because they are loaded locally. And the reload option simply load the extension again from you hdd.

I don't know if it fits your needs, but you can always use a remote file instead of a local file (js html etc.).

E.g.:

manifest.json:

"content_scripts": [{
    "matches": ["https://www.site2rumyourextension.com/*"],
    "js": ["jquery-2.1.4.min.js", "YourJS.js"],
    "run_at": "document_end"
}],

YourJS.js:

var imported = document.createElement('script');
imported.src = 'https://code.yourdomain.com/yourAllwaysUpdatedJS.js';
document.head.appendChild(imported);

This way you can update your extension code without reload or sync it in all the browsers!

Note: I'm not sure if you can put your online js url directly on the manifest, but this way works for sure.

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  • More details added to the answer.
    – LP0
    Jan 25, 2016 at 10:30
  • Hi johnny_s this workaround works for you?
    – LP0
    Feb 7, 2016 at 7:13
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OP loaded unpacked extensions via local drive which isn't tracked by google and thus not synced., google only syncs web store extensions which is why the sync feature is not working.

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