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What is IPFS? Add IPFS Support to Chrome, Brave, and Firefox

Web3 will bring along a lot of innovations to create a more decentralized era of the internet. One major step in this direction is the IPFS or InterPlanetary File System, where data is stored in multiple nodes instead of one server. It opens up many possibilities but currently has limited support on browsers. In this article, let’s see what IPFS is and how to enable IPFS support in Chrome, Firefox, and Brave browser.

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What is IPFS?

IPFS is a decentralized technology that hosts and stores files and data in nodes instead of servers. Nodes are all the different computers using IPFS. It allows files and any content stored or hosted on IPFS to be easily accessible, resistant to tampering, and prevents censorship of content.


IPFS stores data in small blocks and then links it to another block. This block is given a unique cryptographic hash number, and people who have the exact hash number can only access the file. This makes sure only people you want to share the file with have access to it.

The nature of IPFS provides performance advantages, increased bandwidth, security, and data integrity. The plan is to host websites on IPFS to eradicate a lot of prevalent issues we currently face, like server-related problems and data tracking.

If all this has got you interested, then let us take a look at how you can enjoy IPFS support on Brave, Chrome, and Firefox.

Add IPFS Support to Brave, Chrome, and Firefox Browser

To make IPFS mainstream and increase active nodes, more browsers must start supporting it. Brave has built-in support, but you won’t properly enjoy all the benefits of IPFS without a local node. And Chrome and Firefox also require the same to add proper support.

Let’s look at how you can enable support to Open IPFS hashes on these browsers.

Prerequisite: Installing IPFS Desktop and Creating Local Node

The methods below require you to create a local IPFS node on your device to function correctly on unsupported browsers. And to create a local node, you need to install the IPFS app on your computer.

The app allows you to easily upload, download and manage files and folders on IPFS. But the benefit of installing this app is that you can view your previously visited IPFS content offline, verify the content of hashes and contribute to the overall IPFS network.

Download the IPFS Desktop from this link and follow the Install instructions to set up the app on your preferred system.

Note: Brave users may skip this step as the browser will provide an option to create a local node and the companion app within its settings, but it is recommended to install it for other browsers.

1. Enable IPFS Support in Brave Browser

Brave comes with support for IPFS built into the browser. Just type ipfs:// followed by the hash to access the file. It will use the public gateway to access the file.

But you can enable the IPFS companion extension to interact with your IPFS node through your browser and access all IPFS Desktop app functions within your browser.

This is how you can access IPFS content on Brave browser:

Step 1: Click on the Hamburger menu in the Brave browser.

Enable IPFS Support in Brave Browser

Step 2: Go to Settings.

Enable IPFS Support in Brave Browser

Step 3: Select IPFS from the sidebar at the left.

Enable IPFS Support in Brave Browser

Step 4: Here, go to Method to resolve IPFS resources and select Local node from the down menu.

Step 5: Now, turn on the toggle for IPFS Companion.

Enable IPFS Support in Brave Browser

Step 6: Click on Add Extension on the pop-up menu.

The IPFS Companion extension will start downloading and installed on your Brave browser.

Step 7: Click the Extension menu (puzzle icon) on the top right.

Step 8: Click on IPFS Companion to open the extension.

Enable IPFS Support in Brave Browser

Step 9: On the IPFS window that pops up, click the Cube icon.

Enable IPFS Support in Brave Browser

Step 10: It will open the landing page of the IPFS companion and check that your node is connected.

Enable IPFS Support in Brave Browser

Great! Now you have access to the IPFS desktop interface on your browser, and you will be able to perform all the actions of the Desktop app, including drag and drop files.

Step 11: From here, you can click on Files to access your IPFS files and folders.

You can also browse hashes from this interface.

Step 12: Copy and paste the hash on the Search bar at the top and click Browse to access that file or folder.

2. Enable IPFS Support in Chrome or Microsoft Edge

Unlike Brave, Chrome and Edge browsers cannot lookup IPFS hashes without a companion extension installed. The companion extension will allow you to look up hashes and upload files easily, as we discussed above, adding Web3 capabilities to Chrome.

Here’s how to set up IPFS on Google Chrome:

Step 1: Open the IPFS desktop client and leave it running in the background.

Step 2: Download IPFS Companion from the Chrome Web Store.

Step 3: After installation finishes, click on the Extension icon.

Step 4: Select IPFS companion.

IPFS Support in Chrome and Edge

Step 5: Click on the Cube icon.

Enable Support for IPFS on Chrome/Edge

Step 6: The landing page of the IPFS companion will open in a new tab. It should show a Checkmark and display Your node is connected to peers.

IPFS Support in Chrome and Edge

You can now browse the IPFS desktop interface, upload files, and directly look up hashes and files without opening the Companion.

Step 7: On the address bar, type ipfs.io/ipfs/ followed by the hash you want to look up.

IPFS Support in Chrome and Edge

This method will work with Edge and other Chromium-based browsers.

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3. Enable IPFS Support in Firefox Browser

Like Chrome, Firefox has not added support for Web3 and IPFS yet, which means you will have to install an IPFS companion.

Follow the steps below to enable IPFS support in the Firefox browser:

Step 1: Open the IPFS Desktop Client and leave it running in the background.

Step 2: Download the IPFS Companion add-on in Firefox.

Step 3: IPFS Add on will be added to your toolbar. Open it.

Step 4: Click on the Cube icon.

Enable IPFS Support in Firefox

Step 5: The landing page of the IPFS companion will open in a new tab. Make sure your node is connected to other peers.

Enable IPFS Support in Firefox

The Companion allows you to browse IPFS hashes within the Companion or upload your files and folders. You can visit webpages hosted on IPFS without opening the Companion on Firefox.

Step 6: On the address bar, type ipfs.io/ipfs/ followed by the hash you want to look up.

IPFS Support in Firefox

That’s it. This is how you can browse and access IPFS files in the Chrome, Edge, Brave, and Firefox browser.

Wrapping Up

IPFS protocol opens up a lot of potential for how we will access websites and manage our data in the future. But it needs a lot more adoption and engagement, which will come as more browsers and services start rolling out support for IPFS. I hope we helped you enable support for IPFS on Chrome, Edge, Brave, or Firefox browser. Let us know if you have any queries.

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Anshuman Jain

Hi! I am Anshuman and I write about consumer technology for Gadgets To Use and Browser To use. I follow trending and new developments in tech. I frequently write about these topics and cover them. I am available on Twitter at @Anshuma9691 or Email me at anshuman@gadgetstouse.com to send in your feedback and tips.