Description from extension meta
Re-enables the backspace key as a back navigation button (except when writing text).
Image from store
Description from store
Go back with the backspace button! This extension re-enables the backspace key as a back navigation button -- except if you're writing text.
What's New in 3.0:
==================
* Updated to Manifest V3.
Before Chrome 52, the backspace key navigated back (if you weren't writing text). Many people lost their progress while working online by accidentally pressing backspace and leaving a page -- so we removed the feature from Chrome, and created this extension for those who prefer the old behavior.
This extension can't restore backspace on certain special pages, for example any of the "chrome://" pages such as Settings or Extensions.
About the requested permissions:
"Read and modify all your data": In order to capture backspace on every page, the extension needs to install a little piece of code on each one. It does nothing else with the page, its information, or your typing.
"Manage your apps, extensions, and themes": This lets the extension detect when it has been re-enabled and install its code into tabs that are already open then.
The extension's source code can be viewed at
https://chromium.googlesource.com/chromium/extensions-by-google/+/master/go-back-with-backspace/
By installing this item, you agree to the Google Terms of Service and Privacy Policy at https://www.google.com/intl/en/policies/.
Latest reviews
- (2025-05-15) Mike Y.: don't know why they ever removed this feature from the browser. I got so used to using backspace to go back one page, that I have to install this extension on every machine I use.
- (2025-03-23) Sam Bartle: Should still be in the browser by default.
- (2025-03-20) MeboGo: Would be much greater if it would also close the tab when you are on the first site from the tab.
- (2025-01-15) Rich Elvers: Works great so far.
- (2024-11-05) Kevin M.: DOES NOT WORK! Google should be ashamed.
- (2024-10-22) Orlin Shirov: Works for me!
- (2024-10-03) Dylon Schulz: downloaded and installed. still doesn't work.
- (2024-09-23) Ernie Magaña: ridiculous that this is necessary.
- (2024-09-16) Klicco קליקו: I'm addicted! Working great for me
- (2024-07-22) shay k: doesn't work anymore
- (2024-06-27) Lauren Chaikin: Really great save for a few sites where it doesn't seem to work, like Squarespace sites. Not sure if that's the extension or something in Squarespace's code. Thanks for making this!
- (2024-05-25) This extension has proved to be very reliable. It did not get bloated with other functions over the years. Plus the developer kept maintaining it for the long term. His effort is underappreciated, This time, big G is going to implement Manifest v3 even though I've yet to see anyone who actually enjoys working with it. Nevertheless, the author already ported the extension to Manifest v3. The change happened seamlessly. This is why I am updating my 2016 review which was very negative. A lot has changed since then, and just as importantly, a lot has stayed the same. At this point am giving it a well deserved 5 stars.
- (2024-05-25) This extension has proved to be very reliable. It did not get bloated with other functions over the years. Plus the developer kept maintaining it for the long term. His effort is underappreciated, This time, big G is going to implement Manifest v3 even though I've yet to see anyone who actually enjoys working with it. Nevertheless, the author already ported the extension to Manifest v3. The change happened seamlessly. This is why I am updating my 2016 review which was very negative. A lot has changed since then, and just as importantly, a lot has stayed the same. At this point am giving it a well deserved 5 stars.
- (2024-05-24) Diogo Miguel Cunha: Has worked flawlessly for years. Obviously, this should be incorporated by default and a toggleable option in settings, instead of an extension.
- (2024-05-24) Diogo Miguel Cunha: Has worked flawlessly for years. Obviously, this should be incorporated by default and a toggleable option in settings, instead of an extension.
- (2024-04-30) William: Title got me here backspace got me outta here
- (2024-04-25) Dan Rullo: I'm glad to see this functionality restored, but as others have mentioned, it's pretty ridiculous that it has to be restored via an extension. I never understood the removal of the backspace feature, which had been present in every browser for YEARS before Google decided it was somehow potentially problematic. While I do physically have two arms & hands, I identify as a one-armed individual (OAI+) and as such, I find the modern replacement for [Backspace] functionality ([Alt]+[Left]) to be overly burdensome and discriminatory against myself and those individuals who identify as OAI+. Somebody should file an official complaint with the appropriate authorities, citing discrimination and lack of ADA compliance as Google imposes an unreasonable two-handed requirement to use their product. This is the opposite of progress and inclusivity! I like to keep my browsers light-weight and free of extensions. So in lieu of the much-missed native Backspace support, I find myself using my nose to try to press the [Alt] key. But as the keyboard gets closer to my face, I lose sight of the target key and often end up hitting [Space] or [Control] and thus, the desired result is not accomplished. I don't know if the genius engineers at Google's dev/testing departments have ever tried to use their noses for keyboarding, but I assure you it's not an appendage well-suited for typing accuracy. And the resulting callus is rather unsightly - resulting in negative impacts to my romantic life. Perhaps Google needs to hire some OAI+ engineers!
- (2024-04-24) Matthew Johnson: Very handy extension. Works seamlessly and has useful options to tailor the experience
- (2024-04-24) Naoki: It's useful except when using notion the page goes back ...
- (2024-04-01) Kimberly Hull: thank you so much. like many others, I too think this should be a setting or option instead of extension
- (2024-02-25) Gerald Nelson jr (Geraldbrry): works perfectly and i love it thank you foe listening google
- (2024-02-10) Christopher Frazier: So FUNCTIONALLY USEFUL!
- (2023-12-05) Andrew Eilertson: Constantly goes back two pages.
- (2023-09-29) Lindsey Baker Crick: It works. I've used it ever since Google disabled the actual feature. My favorite extension. Thank you. update 9/28/23: still going strong. I'd be lost without it.
- (2023-09-29) Lindsey Baker Crick: It works. I've used it ever since Google disabled the actual feature. My favorite extension. Thank you. update 9/28/23: still going strong. I'd be lost without it.
- (2023-08-11) Davvood: Should be integrated within the browser itself by default. No extension required.
- (2023-08-11) Davvood: Should be integrated within the browser itself by default. No extension required.
- (2023-08-02) Alex: An option to use backspace to go back... Smart ! Looks like Apple way, thanks Google.
- (2023-08-02) Alex: An option to use backspace to go back... Smart ! Looks like Apple way, thanks Google.
- (2023-07-30) X_WiLLiaM_X: It should've been an option. nonetheless it works.
- (2023-07-30) X_WiLLiaM_X: It should've been an option. nonetheless it works.
- (2023-07-29) Charles Magnuson: Why is this an extension? This should be a feature built into Chrome...
- (2023-06-02) Kim Goodwin: It was working well on most pages, but does not work on the MSN.com Home page. It backspaces within the MSN search bar.
- (2023-06-02) Kim Goodwin: It was working well on most pages, but does not work on the MSN.com Home page. It backspaces within the MSN search bar.
- (2022-06-19) Yanko Pyski: Funkcja bardzo przydana. Przywróciłem ją w chromie i jestem zadowolony.
- (2022-06-07) Нина Хохлова: Отличное приложение!! Наконец-то стало снова удобно пользоваться почтой в хроме!! зачем отключали - не понятно.
- (2022-05-29) Chase Olson: Incredibly dumb that this is an extension and not an option
- (2022-05-29) Chase Olson: Incredibly dumb that this is an extension and not an option
- (2022-04-12) Donggeun Lee: 편안---
- (2022-02-13) Michael Williams: Google you are the worst. I shouldn't have to download a stupid extension to restore a function that has existed since before dinosaurs roamed the earth. Google you are the absolute worst, I hope your corporation fractures and is scattered like a thousand splinters in the wind.
- (2022-02-13) Michael Williams: Google you are the worst. I shouldn't have to download a stupid extension to restore a function that has existed since before dinosaurs roamed the earth. Google you are the absolute worst, I hope your corporation fractures and is scattered like a thousand splinters in the wind.
- (2021-12-18) Alexander Herlev: Liked it while it worked, but it started messing with my twitch When the extension is active, the chat will say "Connecting to Chat" forever Disable the extension refresh the page, and the chat connects instantly Sad to let it go, but can't have something enabled that breaks other things Fix this and i will reenabled it
- (2021-12-18) Alexander Herlev: Liked it while it worked, but it started messing with my twitch When the extension is active, the chat will say "Connecting to Chat" forever Disable the extension refresh the page, and the chat connects instantly Sad to let it go, but can't have something enabled that breaks other things Fix this and i will reenabled it
- (2021-11-28) Miguel Beltran Altamirano: Trabaja bien, el unico detalle es que no funciona dentro del Addon Visual Bookmarks. Hay algun otro addon que si lo haga?
- (2021-11-17) Amber McCown: This is the first one I found that worked on Brave! I've tried like 5-6 add-ons!
- (2021-11-17) Amber McCown: This is the first one I found that worked on Brave! I've tried like 5-6 add-ons!
- (2021-09-15) Andy Sandoval: It works
- (2021-09-15) Andy Sandoval: It works
- (2021-08-14) alisa miles: Stopped working.
- (2021-08-14) alisa miles: Stopped working.
Statistics
Installs
300,000
history
Category
Rating
3.1461 (1,362 votes)
Last update / version
2023-11-21 / 3.0
Listing languages
en