Browser Tracking: Supported Browsers and Setup for Unsupported Browsers

RescueTime tracks the websites you visit automatically when you're using a supported browser. This article covers which browsers are fully supported, the RescueTime browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox, and setup for unsupported browsers.

Supported browsers

RescueTime supports up-to-date versions of the following browsers:

Browser	Windows	macOS	Notes
Chrome	✓	✓	Optional browser extension available; see below
Firefox	✓	✓	macOS requires a browser extension; see below
Microsoft Edge	✓	✓
Safari	—	✓
Arc	—	✓
Brave	✓	✓

RescueTime Chrome extension (optional)

If you're running the RescueTime desktop app, Chrome website tracking works out of the box on both Windows and macOS; you don't need an extension. The RescueTime for Chrome extension is there for the cases where the desktop app isn't the right fit:

• You want to track your Chrome activity without installing the desktop app. For example, on a managed or locked-down computer.
• Website tracking in Chrome isn't working correctly with the desktop app alone.
• You're using an unsupported Chromium-based browser (see below)

Install the extension

Get RescueTime for Chrome from the Chrome Web Store and click Add to Chrome.

Sign in to the extension

Sign in with the same email and password you use for your RescueTime account. Then choose the setup that matches how you use RescueTime:

• Also running the desktop app? Check the box that says "I'm already using the full RescueTime application on this computer." This keeps the extension and the desktop app from double-counting your time.
• Extension only, no desktop app? Leave that box unchecked so the extension tracks your browsing on its own.

Firefox on macOS: browser extension required

On macOS, Firefox requires the RescueTime browser extension to track individual websites. Without it, RescueTime will only record time as "Firefox," and you won't see individual site breakdowns.

Install the extension

Download the RescueTime Firefox extension from the Mozilla Add-ons site.

Sign in to the extension

When setting up the extension, check the box that says "I'm already using the full RescueTime application on this computer" and click Sign in to RescueTime. Enter the email and password for your RescueTime account. You'll see a confirmation page when activation is complete.

Confirm you're connected

To verify the extension is connected to the desktop app:

1. Click Settings in the Firefox extension window
2. Look for a port number in the bottom right of the window. If you see one, you're connected and ready to go

Using an unsupported browser

If you use a browser that isn't on the supported list, such as Zen Browser, Vivaldi, or Waterfox, RescueTime won't track individual websites by default. You may be able to enable website tracking using a browser extension and a few configuration steps. Follow the section that matches what your browser is built on.

Chromium-based browsers (Zen Browser, Vivaldi, Opera, etc.)

Step 1: Install the RescueTime for Chrome extension. Most Chromium-based browsers can install directly from the Chrome Web Store.

Step 2: Sign in with your RescueTime email and password. When prompted, leave the "I'm already using the full RescueTime application on this computer" box unchecked. This tells the extension to track website activity for this browser independently.

Step 3: Prevent duplicate tracking, using the steps below.

Step 4 (macOS only): Enable automation permissions, using the steps below.

Firefox-based browsers (Waterfox, LibreWolf, etc.)

Step 1: Install the RescueTime Firefox extension.

Step 2: Sign in with your RescueTime email and password. When prompted, leave the "I'm already using the full RescueTime application on this computer" box unchecked. This is the opposite of the Firefox macOS setup above — leaving it unchecked tells the extension to track this browser independently.

Step 3: Prevent duplicate tracking, using the steps below.

Step 4 (macOS only): Enable automation permissions, using the steps below.

Prevent duplicate tracking

Without this step, your browser will be recorded twice, once as a general app by the desktop app, and once broken down by website by the extension. To fix this:

1. Go to your Apps & Websites report
2. Find your browser listed as a general activity (e.g., "Waterfox")
3. Click the edit icon next to it
4. Select Ignore this activity forever

Now the extension tracks individual websites, and the desktop app ignores the browser as a whole to avoid double-counting.

macOS only: Enable automation permissions

On macOS, browsers need automation permissions to work with RescueTime. You'll usually be prompted automatically the first time you use the browser while RescueTime is running, so click Allow. If the prompt doesn't appear:

1. Open System Settings
2. Go to Privacy & Security → Automation
3. Expand RescueTime
4. Enable your browser