Grammarly turns on through its browser extension, desktop app, or mobile keyboard, depending on where you type.
A missing Grammarly icon usually means Grammarly is installed in the wrong place for the app you are typing in. The steps for how to enable Grammarly change by device: use the browser extension for websites, the desktop app for Word and other computer apps, and the mobile app for phone keyboards.
The first fix is to match Grammarly to your writing spot, sign in, then test it in a normal text box. Password fields, tiny text boxes, and some unsupported browsers can hide Grammarly even after installation.
Where Do You Enable Grammarly First?
Grammarly should be enabled where your writing happens most often. Browser users need the extension, desktop users need Grammarly for Windows or Grammarly for Mac, and phone users need the iOS keyboard or Grammarly for Android.
Use one account across devices so your language preference and personal dictionary stay available. American English is the default dialect in Grammarly, but you can change it later from the app or account settings.
| Where You Type | Grammarly Option To Enable | What You Should See |
|---|---|---|
| Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari on desktop | Browser extension | Grammarly icon in the browser bar or inside text fields |
| Google Docs | Browser extension | Suggestions appear while you type in the document |
| Microsoft Word, Pages, Outlook, and computer apps | Grammarly for Windows or Grammarly for Mac | Floating widget, underlines, or a tab on the screen edge |
| Safari on iPhone | Grammarly Safari extension | Grammarly switched on under Settings > Safari > Extensions |
| iPhone typing in apps | Grammarly Keyboard for iOS | Green Grammarly logo on the keyboard after tapping a text field |
| Android apps | Grammarly for Android | Floating Grammarly widget next to the text field |
| No install allowed on work device | Grammarly Editor in a browser | Document editor opens after signing in at Grammarly |
Enable Grammarly On Browsers With The Correct Extension
Grammarly’s browser extension works on Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge. Grammarly says other browsers, including Opera and Brave, are not supported at this time, so use the desktop app or web editor there.
Install the extension from the official store for your browser: click Add to Chrome in Chrome, Add to Firefox in Firefox, Get and then Add Extension in Microsoft Edge, or Get > Install for Safari. Grammarly lists the current browser paths on its browser extension installation steps.
After installation, open a site with a normal text field and start typing. The Grammarly icon should appear in the lower corner of the field, spin while checking, then show a number when suggestions are ready.
Chrome users can pin the extension by clicking the puzzle icon near the upper-right corner of the browser and selecting the pin icon beside Grammarly. Safari users need one extra step because Grammarly for Safari starts turned off for websites; open the Safari extension control and choose Allow on every website when you want Grammarly to run across sites.
Turn Grammarly On For Windows And Mac Apps
Grammarly for Windows and Grammarly for Mac are the better fit when you write in desktop apps, not just web pages. Install the desktop app, sign in, open Word, Pages, Outlook, or another writing app, and begin typing.
- Go to Grammarly’s desktop download page.
- Open the downloaded file and follow the installer prompts.
- Launch the app if it does not open by itself, then sign in.
- Open a writing app and type a sentence with a clear typo.
Windows should show a floating widget or a tab on the screen edge. Mac should show underlines and a Grammarly tab, and clicking that tab opens the suggestion panel.
If Grammarly covers a button you need, drag the widget to another anchor point around the text box or window. Grammarly remembers the chosen position per app or website, so the widget should stay out of your way next time.
Set Up Grammarly On iPhone And Android
Grammarly on phones works through the mobile app, not the desktop extension. iPhone users need iOS 14 or newer for Grammarly for iPhone, while the Safari extension on iPhone needs iOS 15 or newer; Android users need Android 9.0 or newer.
On iPhone, install Grammarly, open the app, follow the on-screen setup, and sign in. Open any app with a text field, tap the globe icon in the lower-left corner of the keyboard until Grammarly appears, then type a test sentence. A green Grammarly logo in the upper-left corner of the keyboard means it is active.
For Safari on iPhone, open Settings > Safari > Extensions > More Extensions, install Grammarly from the App Store, then return to Extensions and switch on Grammarly. If Grammarly was already installed, you can go straight to Settings > Safari > Extensions and switch on Grammarly.
On Android, install Grammarly for Android from Google Play, open the app, complete the prompts, and sign in. After setup, open any app and tap a text field; the floating Grammarly widget should appear, and suggestions can be accepted by tapping the card.
Why Is Grammarly Not Showing Up?
Grammarly usually disappears because the wrong product is installed, the site is blocked, the browser is not supported, or the field is sensitive. Fix the place where Grammarly is blocked before reinstalling anything.
| Problem | Likely Cause | Move That Usually Fixes It |
|---|---|---|
| No icon in Chrome | Extension is hidden from the toolbar | Click the puzzle icon and pin Grammarly |
| Safari extension installed but silent | Website permission is off | Choose Allow on every website |
| No checks in Word or Pages | Browser extension cannot reach desktop apps | Install Grammarly for Windows or Mac |
| Android widget missing in one app | That app was blocked earlier | Open Grammarly, tap Blocked apps, and switch the app back on |
| iPhone keyboard has no green logo | Grammarly keyboard is not selected | Tap the globe icon until Grammarly appears |
| Icon turns gray in a field | The field is treated as sensitive | Type in a normal message or document field instead |
A Windows or Mac install can also make the browser extension switch off by default, except in Google Docs. If you want extension behavior again, open the Grammarly icon in the browser toolbar and switch between the desktop app and the browser extension from the settings menu.
Finish With The Setup That Matches Your Device
The simplest working setup is one Grammarly product per writing place. Use the list below as your final pass before you start writing again.
- For websites on Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari, enable the Grammarly browser extension.
- For Word, Pages, Outlook, and other computer apps, enable Grammarly for Windows or Grammarly for Mac.
- For iPhone apps, enable the Grammarly Keyboard for iOS and switch to it with the globe icon.
- For Safari on iPhone, switch on Grammarly under Settings > Safari > Extensions.
- For Android apps, enable Grammarly for Android and check that the app is not under Blocked apps.
Grammarly is ready when you see its icon or widget in a normal text field and a typo produces an underline, suggestion card, or suggestion count.
References & Sources
- Grammarly.“How to install the Grammarly browser extension.”Lists the official browser extension install paths and supported desktop browsers.
- Grammarly.“Grammarly for Your Desktop.”Official download page for Grammarly on Windows and Mac.
- Grammarly.“Grammarly for Mobile.”Official mobile page for using Grammarly on iOS and Android.