Chrome.identity not available/undefined

Question

I am writing a chrome extension in which I am trying to use the chrome.identity API. But my Chrome doesn't recognize identity.

On the following code in developer tools, I get an error saying "Cannot read property getAuthToken of undefined:

chrome.identity.getAuthToken({ 'interactive': false }, function(token) {

I tried typing in the console. chrome.extension works but chrome.identity is undefined.

My manifest.json has "identity" in permissions. I am on latest Chrome v38. Is there anything else required to enable the identity API?

The identity sample (https://github.com/GoogleChrome/chrome-app-samples/tree/master/samples/identity) uses it in a js file in the extension, same as me. I am sure I am missing something. — Bonton255, Oct 16 '14 at 09:03
The API can be used in a background page, extensions page, options page or popup page, but not in a content script. — Rob W, Oct 16 '14 at 09:04
Thanks Rob, that was the information I was looking for. Really helpful! — Bonton255, Oct 16 '14 at 14:03

score 43 · Accepted Answer · edited Feb 22 '19 at 11:28

43

The reason I was not able to use identity was because I was trying to access it from a content script. I switched to a background script and it works now! Thanks Rob!

PS! You also need to have "permissions": ["identity"] set in your manifest.json.

edited Feb 22 '19 at 11:28

kano

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answered Oct 16 '14 at 14:04

Bonton255

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I am trying to do it in background.js but its not working – Tahir Yasin Oct 17 '15 at 17:44
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I spent a couple hours struggling on the same thing. It's amazing this isn't included in the docs. – arhoskins Feb 02 '16 at 05:07
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@TahirYasin I had this issue too and it turns out I forgot to add `"permissions": ["identity"]` to my manifest.json. – adrianmc Aug 10 '16 at 16:41
@adrianmc this should be included in the accepted answer! Most likely culprint – Arthur Feb 17 '17 at 02:14
how to make content.js invoke the getAuth within background.js? – gumuruh Sep 16 '19 at 09:49

score 2 · Answer 2 · answered Aug 03 '18 at 21:40

It may require providing a "key" value in your manifest as well (if you're trying to get it working locally and it's not working). You can either use the same key as the one you get when you upload your extension to the webstore or try packing an extension to generate a new one (though I couldn't get this second approach working myself).

Chrome.identity not available/undefined

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