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Kami Private Chrome extension

With immediate updates and instant access to Kami's 40+ tools and features, our Private Chrome extension helps you get the most out of Kami.

Who is this for?

✓ Recommended for all Kami users with the Chrome browser.
✓ Google Admin users can install.
✓ This is a free extension; users on any Kami plan can use this.

This guide is recommended for Admins managing their schools/districts from the Google Admin Workspace. Using Kami on your own? Install the Kami Chrome Web Store extension instead, no admin needed.

 

What is the Kami Private Chrome extension?

The Kami Private Chrome Extension is Kami’s recommended way to deploy Kami App, Kami Companion, and Book Creator to a school or district. It’s totally free, provides a seamless experience, and is the quickest way to access our 40+ tools and features.

Plus, it’s delivered directly through your Google Admin Console, avoiding Chrome Web Store processing delays, so updates reach your classrooms faster.

Kami private chrome extension

 

The benefits:

  • Access on demand — The Kami extension is compatible with Chromebooks and is available for both teachers and students.
  • Open Kami from anywhere— A Kami icon appears on Google Docs, Slides, Sheets, and any webpage, so Kami App, Kami Companion, and Book Creator are one click away.
  • Integrations made easy — The extension helps you get the most out of our LMS integrations. Plus, get access to advanced Google Classroom features like Class View and Edit Assignment.
  • Updates reach you faster — The latest secure and tested Kami versions reach every classroom faster, avoiding Chrome Web Store processing delays.
  • Deployment is centrally managed — Administrators can roll the extension out to the entire organization through the Google Admin Console. Updates happen automatically in the background. Teachers don't need to do anything.
  • The experience is identical — Teachers and students won't notice any difference in how Kami works between the Private Extension and the Chrome Web Store extension, as they are functionally identical. The only change is how updates are delivered.

 

Ready to install?

Installing and deploying to your organization is easy and takes only about 10 minutes via Google Admin Workspace.

Check out our installation guide for step-by-step instructions.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Private Chrome extension differ from the Chrome Web Store extension?

The two extensions are functionally identical, so teachers and students won't notice any difference in how Kami works between the two. The only difference is how updates are delivered:

  • For Chrome Web Store extensions, updates must go through the Google review process, which can delay them by 3 or more days.
  • With the Private Chrome extension, new releases are delivered directly from Kami to your organization, without waiting on Google's queue. When we deploy a fix, your classrooms get it sooner.
What if I have both extensions installed?

If the Kami Chrome Web Store extension has been installed and deployed to the same domain/organization as the Kami Private extension, the installation policy may need to be changed to avoid conflict between the two.

Refer to the steps below for assistance with this:

  1. Navigate to the Google Workspace Admin Console. In the left-side menu, open the Chrome browser tab, then select Apps & extensions.
    The Google Admin console with Chrome browser and Apps & extensions highlighted in the left-side menu
  2. In the Users & browsers tab, expand the Organizational Units drop-down on the left side panel and select the desired domain or individual organizational unit the extension has been deployed to.
    The Users & browsers tab with the Organizational Units drop-down expanded
  3. In the list of your installed Apps & Extensions, find and select the Kami for Google Chrome extension to open the settings panel.
    The Kami for Google Chrome extension highlighted in the list of installed apps and extensions
  4. In the settings panel, locate the Installation policy setting. This must be set to a policy that allows it to be disabled. To change this, select the setting, then choose one of the following options:
    • Force install, allow users to disable
    • Force install + pin to browser toolbar, allow users to disable
    • Allow install
    The Installation policy drop-down with the three options that allow users to disable the extension highlighted
  5. When finished, select Save in the upper right corner of the window.
    The Save button highlighted in the upper right corner of the Apps & extensions page

After applying this change, the Kami Chrome Web Store extension will automatically be turned off when the Kami Private extension is enabled.

How do I check the current version of the Kami Private Extension?

Once installed, the Kami Private Chrome Extension will appear on your Chrome extension dashboard.

This page can also be reached by selecting the extension (🧩) icon to open the Extensions menu, then selecting Manage Extensions.

The Manage Extensions option in the Chrome Extensions menu

Once on the dashboard, find and select the Details button on the Kami Private Chrome Extension.

The Details button on the Kami Private Chrome Extension in the Chrome extension dashboard

On the extension details page, the current version information will be listed beneath the description.

The current version listed beneath the description on the extension details page
Do I need to update the Kami Private Extension to get the latest release?

The Kami Private Chrome extension is regularly updated through Google Chrome's automated update system. Therefore, users do not need to manually update the extension to access new releases.

However, users with access to Developer mode in the Chrome extension dashboard can force an update of the extension by selecting the Update button at the top left of the page.

The Developer mode toggle and Update button at the top of the Chrome extension dashboard
Is the private extension as secure as the Chrome Web Store version?

Yes. It goes through the same security reviews, testing, and compliance standards as every other Kami extension. It's a different delivery path, not a different product.

Will switching to the Kami Private Chrome extension from the Kami Chrome Web Store extension disrupt teachers or lose saved student work?

No. The Private extension is functionally identical for end-users. Therefore, teachers and students will see the exact same interface, tools, and Google Drive integrations as they would on the CWS extension. All document annotations and file links are stored in Kami and Google Drive, so nothing is lost or altered during the switch.

If I already have the Kami Chrome Web Store extension installed, does this need to be blocked or uninstalled before I install the Kami Private Chrome extension?

No, you do not need to block or uninstall it.

In fact, we recommend against adding the prior extension to a block/deny list, as this can cause a temporary lockout gap if a device is slow to sync.

Instead, simply set the CWS extension to an installation policy that allows it to be disabled (any of the options that include "allow install"). Then, the CWS extension will be automatically turned off when the Private Chrome Extension is enabled.

Why are updates faster through the Kami Private Chrome Extension if it's the same code?

Chrome Web Store extension releases must remain in Google's general publishing review queue, which often takes 3 or more days to process.

The Kami Private Chrome extension uses a direct XML update manifest hosted on Kami's enterprise servers, allowing verified patches and optimizations to reach your devices the moment they've passed our testing process.

 

Need more help?

If you need further assistance, you can browse more help topics or contact our team via email at support@kamiapp.com.

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