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Installing the Browser Extension

Install the Ethikal browser extension in under 2 minutes using your mobile app. No manual login required - automatic authentication makes setup seamless.

Quick Start

Total Time: < 2 minutes

Mobile App → QR Code → Desktop Browser → Install → Connected!

Step 1: Open Extension Settings

  1. Open your Ethikal mobile app
  2. Tap Settings (bottom navigation)
  3. Find Browser Extension
  4. Tap to open extension setup screen

Step 2: Generate QR Code

The app will automatically:

  • Generate a secure one-time installation token
  • Display a QR code
  • Show installation instructions

Token Details:

  • Valid for 24 hours
  • One-time use only
  • Automatically expires after use
  • Secure JWT encryption

Step 3: Scan QR Code

On your desktop computer:

  1. Open your preferred browser (Chrome, Edge, or Brave)
  2. Use your phone's camera or QR code app
  3. Point at the QR code displayed in the mobile app
  4. Your desktop browser will open the installation page

Tips:

  • Ensure good lighting for QR code scanning
  • Hold phone steady and centered
  • If scanning fails, try the email method instead

Step 4: Install Extension

On the installation page:

  1. Click "Install Extension" button
  2. You'll be redirected to the Chrome Web Store
  3. Click "Add to Chrome" (or your browser name)
  4. Confirm installation when prompted

Step 5: Automatic Connection

After installation:

  1. Extension opens welcome page automatically
  2. Extension authenticates using your token (automatic)
  3. "Connected ✓" message appears
  4. Extension is ready to earn!

No login required! The extension automatically connects to your account using the secure token.


Prefer email? We'll send the installation link to your inbox.

In the Ethikal mobile app:

  1. Go to Settings → Browser Extension
  2. Tap "Email Me Installation Link"
  3. Confirm your email address

Step 2: Check Your Email

Within 30 seconds, you'll receive:

  • Subject: "Install Ethikal Browser Extension - Start Earning on Desktop"
  • From: notifications@ethikal.com
  • Contains: Green "Install Browser Extension" button

Email not arriving?

  • Check spam/junk folder
  • Verify email address in app settings
  • Try QR code method instead
  • Contact support if still issues

On your desktop computer:

  1. Open the email
  2. Click "Install Browser Extension"
  3. Your browser opens the installation page
  4. Continue with installation steps (same as QR code method steps 4-5)

Step 4: Complete Installation

Follow steps 4-5 from the QR code method above.


Method 3: Manual Installation

If QR code and email don't work, you can install manually.

Step 1: Get Installation Token

In mobile app:

  1. Go to Settings → Browser Extension
  2. Tap "Manual Installation"
  3. Copy the installation URL displayed
  4. Note: URL expires in 24 hours
  1. Send the URL to yourself (text, Slack, etc.)
  2. Open on your desktop browser
  3. Follow installation steps above

Verification

Check Connection Status

In Mobile App:

  1. Go to Settings → Browser Extension
  2. Look for "Connected ✓" status
  3. See "Last active" timestamp
  4. View basic extension stats

In Browser Extension:

  1. Click extension icon in browser toolbar
  2. Look for green checkmark and "Connected"
  3. See your account email displayed
  4. View today's earnings

What "Connected" Means

When extension shows "Connected":

  • ✓ Successfully authenticated
  • ✓ Linked to your Ethikal account
  • ✓ Actively tracking earnings
  • ✓ Sending heartbeat every 5 minutes
  • ✓ Ready to earn!

Browser-Specific Instructions

Chrome

  1. Visit Chrome Web Store
  2. Search for "Ethikal" or use installation link
  3. Click "Add to Chrome"
  4. Click "Add extension" when prompted
  5. Extension icon appears in toolbar

Pin to Toolbar:

  • Click puzzle piece icon (Extensions)
  • Find "Ethikal"
  • Click pin icon

Microsoft Edge

  1. Visit Chrome Web Store (yes, Chrome Web Store!)
  2. Banner appears: "Allow extensions from other stores"
  3. Click "Allow"
  4. Click "Add to Chrome" (will say Chrome, works for Edge)
  5. Extension installs

Alternative:

  • Visit Microsoft Edge Add-ons store
  • Search "Ethikal"
  • Click "Get"

Brave

Same as Chrome:

  1. Visit Chrome Web Store
  2. Install using "Add to Chrome" button
  3. Works identical to Chrome

Post-Installation Setup

1. Pin Extension

For easy access:

  1. Click Extensions icon (puzzle piece) in toolbar
  2. Find "Ethikal"
  3. Click pin icon
  4. Extension icon now always visible

2. Configure Permissions

On first run, extension may request:

  • Access to websites: Required to track ad auctions
  • Storage: Save your settings locally
  • Background activity: Track earnings when browser is open

All permissions are required for earning.

3. Review Settings

Click extension icon → Settings:

  • Auto-start: Enable earning on browser startup (recommended)
  • Notifications: Get alerts for high-value opportunities
  • Privacy level: Choose data sharing preferences
  • Blocked sites: Exclude specific websites

Multiple Computers

Want to earn on all your computers? No problem!

Installing on Additional Computers

  1. Generate new token for each computer:

    • Each installation needs a new QR code/token
    • Old tokens expire after first use
    • Generate fresh token in mobile app each time
  2. Repeat installation process:

    • Use QR code or email method
    • Each computer installs separately
    • All connect to same account
  3. View all connected devices:

    • Mobile app shows all active extensions
    • See last active time for each
    • Disconnect any device remotely

Earnings from Multiple Devices

  • All earnings credit to one account
  • Mobile app shows combined total
  • Individual device stats available
  • Maximum: 5 connected devices

Uninstalling

Need to remove the extension?

From Browser

Chrome/Edge/Brave:

  1. Right-click extension icon
  2. Select "Remove from Chrome/Edge/Brave"
  3. Confirm removal

Alternative:

  1. Go to chrome://extensions
  2. Find "Ethikal"
  3. Click "Remove"

From Mobile App

Disconnect Extension:

  1. Open mobile app
  2. Go to Settings → Browser Extension
  3. Tap "Disconnect Extension"
  4. Confirm disconnection

This will:

  • Stop tracking on that device
  • Preserve earnings data
  • Allow reconnection later

Troubleshooting Installation

QR Code Won't Scan

Try:

  • Increase screen brightness on phone
  • Steady phone and center QR code
  • Move phone closer/farther from screen
  • Use email link method instead

Token Expired

Solution:

  • Tokens expire after 24 hours
  • Generate new QR code in mobile app
  • Start installation process again
  • Install within 24 hours of generating token

Extension Won't Install

Check:

  • Browser is up to date (Chrome 88+, Edge 88+, Brave 1.20+)
  • Have permissions to install extensions
  • Not on managed/work computer with restrictions
  • Internet connection is stable

Extension Won't Connect

Try:

  • Check internet connection
  • Verify token hasn't expired
  • Try reinstalling extension
  • Contact support with error code

Already Have Extension

If you see "Already connected":

  • You're good! Extension is working
  • Check connection status in mobile app
  • Verify earnings are tracking

Need More Help?


Security & Privacy

Token Security

One-Time Use:

  • Each token works once only
  • Expires after 24 hours
  • Cannot be reused
  • Automatically deleted after use

What Tokens Contain:

  • Your user ID (encrypted)
  • Expiration timestamp
  • Installation purpose flag
  • JWT signature

What Tokens DON'T Contain:

  • Your password
  • Your email
  • Payment information
  • Personal data

Extension Permissions

The extension requests:

  • Website access: To track ad auctions
  • Storage: Save settings locally
  • Background: Monitor activity

We DON'T:

  • Access passwords
  • Read form data
  • Track private/incognito browsing
  • Access banking sites

Data Protection

  • End-to-end encryption
  • Secure HTTPS communication
  • No data sold to third parties
  • GDPR/CCPA compliant
  • Regular security audits

Next Steps

Now that your extension is installed:

  1. Get Started Earning - Learn how to maximize earnings
  2. View FAQ - Common questions answered
  3. Privacy Settings - Customize your preferences

Start earning now! Just browse normally - the extension does the rest.