Add an unread email count badge to Gmail's PWA icon on supported OS's taskbar's or dock's
Gmail Taskbar Unread Badge Extension
Disclaimer: The developer of this extension in no way claims to be associated with Google/Gmail. I acknowlegde that I do not own their respective trademarks. This extension was developed for personal use and shared for others to use, if they wish to.
This extension adds an unread count badge to the taskbar/dock icon of a PWA* Gmail app. The app supports multiple Gmail PWA accounts. Multiple account badges only work when each PWA is installed using a unique Google Chrome browser profile that is setup with the unique Google Account that you wish to access Gmail emails with.
Please note: this extension does not work, as intended, with multiple Gmail accounts within the same Google Chrome browser profile, if each PWA is installed using the same Chrome Profile, it will show the unread count of each account on the same PWA taskbar icon by cycling through each account dependant on when you opened the PWA account on your device.
(Windows) How to install a PWA in Google Chrome:
1. Navigate to the Gmail URL, i.e. go to your Gmail Inbox.
2. Click on the Google Chrome browser settings button, ⋮ .
3. Click on menu option, \"More tools\".
4. Click on sub-menu option, \"Create shortcut...\"
5. Name the shortcut, e.g. GMail.
6. (NB!) Ensure that you check/tick the checkbox labelled, \"Open as window\".
7. Once the new GMail window opens, remember to pin the PWA to your taskbar to ensure that the extension adds the unread count to the pinned icon on the taskbar.
8. Windows 10 and 11, ensure that the Taskbar setting, \"Show badges on taskbar buttons\", is toggled on (i.e. enabled) to allow the unread count badge to be shown on the Windows Taskbar.
Once you have successfully made use of the extension, could you please rate it, and if you have any feedback, it will be appreciated too. This will give me an indication on whether or not I should enhance this extension further.
I hope that this small extension helps you in some way, enjoy.
*PWA, Progressive Web Application.
Updates:
2022-01-09 (0.2.3)
- Changed the package name to remove references to Windows 10. As this extension uses JavaScript and runs on many compatible browsers, with different flavours of operating systems, the extension is compatible with many system configurations. However, it has only been tested on Windows 10 and 11 by the developer.
Bug Fixes:
2022-02-10 (0.3.0)
- The previous bug fix broke the extension for many users, apologies for this. This new bug fix changes the approach to make use of GMail's Atom Feed. This should be more reliable for all scenarios.
2022-02-08 (0.2.4)
- When the Inbox had zero unread messages, the badge would display the unread count of the next label available, e.g. the Spam folder if it had unread messages. This fix will ensure that the Inbox label count is only used. (Thank you to Kevin for pointing this one out, this is appreciated.)
2021-10-28 (0.2.2)
- Badge would not be triggered if the PWA started with a hashtag anchor in the URL, e.g. #inbox
Source Manifest.json
How to download and manually install Gmail Taskbar Unread Badge extension for Chrome
Looking for a way to install Gmail Taskbar Unread Badge extensions for Chrome, you can search for them in the Chrome Web Store, clicking the "Add to Chrome" button, and following the straightforward process.
However, you may need to install Gmail Taskbar Unread Badge extensions manually, this article outlines two simple methods to effortlessly install Gmail Taskbar Unread Badge extensions, whether they come as unpacked folders in compressed formats like .zip or as .crx files.
Method 1: Download Gmail Taskbar Unread Badge extension and manually install through Drag &Drop
If you ever need to manually install a Gmail Taskbar Unread Badge extension for Chrome, don't worry, it's a simple process. Just follow these easy steps, and you will have your extension ready to use in no time.
Step 1: Download the Gmail Taskbar Unread Badge Extension by clicking the "Download CRX" button on the website.
Look for the Gmail Taskbar Unread Badge extension you wish to install. Go to the website and download the Gmail Taskbar Unread Badge extension package, which is usually a .CRX file and comes in a zipped file. Here ".crx" file is the format for Gmail Taskbar Unread Badge extension that contains all the data.
Step 2: Extract &Arrange Files
Once the file is downloaded, extract that file into its own folder. Similarly, give that extension files a permanent home. In other words, keep it in a folder that you don't accidentally delete it because these files will be needed to make that extension work.
Step 3: Go to the Chrome Extensions Page
Open Google Chrome and in the address bar, type chrome://extensions; it will open the Google Chrome extensions page. Make sure that "My extensions" is selected in the sidebar.
Step 4: Drag and Drop the Extension
Now, go to the folder where you extracted the Gmail Taskbar Unread Badge extension and drag &drop the extension file from there anywhere onto the extension page within Google Chrome.
Step 5: Complete the Installation
Once you drag and drop the extension file, follow the steps that Google Chrome takes you through. Similarly, if the extension file is of .crx file format, you will be required to review the permissions and then add the extension.
Now, you can manage that added extension as you would like to with any other Chrome extension that you added through Chrome Webstore. Its icon will also appear in the Google Chrome Menu on the right side of the address bar once you activate it.
Method 2: Download Gmail Taskbar Unread Badge extension for Chrome and install in Developer Mode
This is another method to install Gmail Taskbar Unread Badge extension manually, but the twist is that here, you install by enabling the developer mode option provided in Google Chrome. This mode is commonly used for testing extensions or running unpublished tools.
Step 1: Download the Gmail Taskbar Unread Badge extension file
Select and download the Gmail Taskbar Unread Badge extension by clicking the 'Download CRX' button on the website.
Step 2: Extract the downloaded contents
Convert the file to a ZIP file if it is in CRX format then extract the Gmail Taskbar Unread Badge extension zip file or folder that you downloaded. Make sure you extract it using the same folder name and keep it safely in another folder, so you don't delete it by mistake. The extracted folder will be needed to keep your Gmail Taskbar Unread Badge extension running.
Step 3: Open Chrome Extension Setting Page
In the address bar of Google Chrome, type chrome://extensions and open the Chrome Extension Page.
Step 4: Enable Developer Mode
After opening the Chrome Extension page, look at the top right side, and you will find the toggle option of "Developer mode."Simply enable that developer mode option.
Step 5: Load the Unpacked Extension
Once you enable the developer mode option, you will see the menu of Load Unpacked, Pack Extensions and Update. From that, select the option "Load unpacked."
Step 6: Select the Extension Folder
Once the pop-up opens upon clicking Load unpacked, select the Gmail Taskbar Unread Badge extension directory and click on the "Select Folder "button.
Step 7: Confirm and Install
After you select an extension folder of a Google Chrome extension you're installing manually, confirm its installation for the final time and let the installation complete.
Conclusion
Here we've made a step-by-step guide on How to manually install Gmail Taskbar Unread Badge extension in 2 ways. We hope this guide proves helpful.
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User reviews
Clément Guérin (ID: 00000023dd30019d) Voted 5 ★ - Updated 07/22/2023
Kenny Schiff (ID: 00000079ed6c3636) Voted 5 ★ - Updated 02/15/2023
Dean Lupari (ID: 00000035d982930e) Voted 5 ★ - Updated 10/21/2022
Kanuj Bhatnagar (ID: 0000000f35ce3d07) Voted 5 ★ - Updated 10/14/2022
Jim Byers (ID: 000000aa27692b42) Voted 5 ★ - Updated 09/19/2022