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How to Allow, Block, or Force-Install Apps and Extensions for Google Workspace Users in Google Chrome

Quick and easy-to-follow guide for Google Workspace administrators

Control the usage of Google Chrome apps and extensions in Google Workspace

You can control the usage of Chrome and Android apps & extensions by Google Workspace users signed in to Google Chrome or anyone using a managed browser.

You can:

  • Allow apps & extensions
  • Block apps & extensions
  • Force-install apps & extensions

How to allow, block, or force-install Google Chrome apps and extensions step-by-step with images

Step 1

How To Allow, Block, Or Force-Install Apps & Extensions For Google Workspace Users In Google Chrome - Step 1

In Google Admin at https://admin.google.com, click Devices > Chrome > Settings >  Users & browsers in the menu on the left.

Step 2

How To Allow, Block, Or Force-Install Apps & Extensions For Google Workspace Users In Google Chrome - Step 2

Click ADDITIONAL SETTINGS in the top right corner.

Step 3

How To Allow, Block, Or Force-Install Apps & Extensions For Google Workspace Users In Google Chrome - Step 3

Click the Edit button next to Allow/block mode.

Step 4

How To Allow, Block, Or Force-Install Apps & Extensions For Google Workspace Users In Google Chrome - Step 4

Select between:

  • Allow all apps, admin manages blocklist – you allow all apps & extensions, but you can block specific ones manually.
  • Block all apps, admin manages allowlist – you block all apps & extensions except for those you add as allowed.
  • Block all apps, admin manages allowlist, users may request extensions – you block all apps & extensions except for those you add as allowed. Users can submit requests to let you know when they need specific extensions, and then you choose to block or allow them.


Click SAVE.

Step 5

How To Allow, Block, Or Force-Install Apps & Extensions For Google Workspace Users In Google Chrome - Step 5

Once more, click Devices > Chrome > Apps & extensions > Users & browsers in the menu on the left.

At the bottom right of the Apps & extensions page, there is a yellow ( + ) icon. Hover over it to add apps & extensions by URL, name, or directly from the Play or Chrome Web stores.

Step 6

How To Allow, Block, Or Force-Install Apps & Extensions For Google Workspace Users In Google Chrome - Step 6

In this case, we’ll add the Google Hangouts app from the Chrome Web Store. First, you need to find and click the app or extension.

Step 7

How To Allow, Block, Or Force-Install Apps & Extensions For Google Workspace Users In Google Chrome - Step 7

Then click the Select button.

Step 8

How To Allow, Block, Or Force-Install Apps & Extensions For Google Workspace Users In Google Chrome - Step 8

Google Hangouts appears in the apps & extensions list.

In the organizational units section on the left, select the OU with the users whose settings you want to update. The same updates will apply to all sub-OUs under the OU you choose.

By default, if you don’t select an OU, you will add your setting to the top OU, named after your domain. This way, you will apply changes to all users in your account.

You can search for an OU to find it faster if you have a large OU structure.

If you’re not familiar with OUs, click here.

Step 9

How To Allow, Block, Or Force-Install Apps & Extensions For Google Workspace Users In Google Chrome - Step 9

Click the current policy under the Installation policy column and select between:

  • Force install + pin to browser toolbar – automatically installs it to Google Workspace users, disables their ability to uninstall it, and pins it to their taskbar.
  • Force install – automatically installs it to Google Workspace users, taking away their ability to uninstall it.
  • Allow install – allows Google Workspace users to install it, even if the general installation policy blocks all other apps & extensions.
  • Block –  prevents Google Workspace users from installing it, even if the general installation policy allows all other apps & extensions.


Click an app or extension in the list to display additional options on the right.

Step 10

How To Allow, Block, Or Force-Install Apps & Extensions For Google Workspace Users In Google Chrome - Step 10

The three icons on the top right allow you to:

  • Remove the app or extension from the list for the selected OU on the left.
  • View app details wherever it’s hosted
  • Hide the side panel


Under Chrome Web Store options, switch the button to include it in your Chrome Web Store collection – recommended apps & extensions for users in your Google Workspace account.

Under Permissions and URL access, you can choose between: 

  • Use the default permissions for this organization
  • Allow all permissions
  • Customize permissions for this app/extension


Enter URLs to pages that you want to prevent the app or extension from altering under Blocked hosts.

Enter URLs to pages that you want to allow the app or extension to alter under Allowed hosts.

Note that disabling permissions may cause an app or extension not to work correctly.

Step 11

How To Allow, Block, Or Force-Install Apps & Extensions For Google Workspace Users In Google Chrome - Step 11

Click SAVE on the top right after making changes. It may take up to 24 hours for them to go into effect.

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