PaperTrail Privacy

Install PaperTrail

PaperTrail is in a closed test with a few invited friends. It is not in the extension stores yet, so you install it from this page. Pick your browser below, then do the last step that everyone does.

Chrome, Edge or Brave on a computer

These browsers only install extensions from their stores, so you load PaperTrail as an unpacked extension instead. It takes two minutes.

  1. Download papertrail-latest-chromium.zip.
  2. Unzip it into a folder you keep, for example Documents/PaperTrail. Do not leave it in Downloads. Keep the folder where it is: the browser loads PaperTrail from it. If you ever have to move it, do not remove PaperTrail in the browser (that deletes your account and friends on this device); instead click Load unpacked again and choose the new folder.
  3. Open the extensions page: type chrome://extensions into the address bar in Chrome, edge://extensions in Edge, or brave://extensions in Brave.
  4. Turn on Developer mode (a switch at the top right in Chrome and Brave, in the left side bar in Edge).
  5. Click Load unpacked and choose the folder from step 2 (the one that contains manifest.json).
  6. Pin it: click the puzzle piece next to the address bar and the pin next to PaperTrail, so its button stays in the toolbar.

Updating

  1. When the operator tells you there is a new version, download papertrail-latest-chromium.zip again.
  2. Delete everything inside your PaperTrail folder and unzip the new files into the same folder.
  3. On the extensions page, click the Reload arrow on the PaperTrail card. Your account and friends stay.

Chrome may sometimes show a reminder about extensions in developer mode, at start-up or on the extensions page. That is expected for an unpacked extension: keep PaperTrail on and close the reminder.

Firefox on a computer

The Firefox version is signed by Mozilla but not listed on the add-ons site.

  1. In Firefox, click papertrail-latest.xpi.
  2. If Firefox says it prevented this site from asking you to install software, click Continue to Installation.
  3. Click Add to confirm, and allow the permissions it asks for.
  4. Optional: pin it from the puzzle piece menu next to the address bar.

If the file downloads instead of installing, open the menu, go to Add-ons and themes, click the gear icon, choose Install Add-on From File and pick the downloaded file.

Updates arrive automatically: Firefox checks for a new version about once a day. To check now, open Add-ons and themes, click the gear icon and choose Check for Updates.

Firefox for Android

  1. In Firefox for Android, download papertrail-latest.xpi and keep it in your Downloads.
  2. Open the menu, go to Settings, then About Firefox.
  3. Tap the Firefox logo five times, until it says the debug menu is enabled.
  4. Go back to Settings. Near the bottom there is now Install extension from file (in some versions: Install add-on from file).
  5. Tap it and pick the downloaded papertrail-latest.xpi, then tap Add.
  6. Open PaperTrail from the menu under Extensions.

Updates arrive automatically, the same way as on a computer. You only do this once.

Edge for Android and other phone browsers

Edge for Android is not supported in the closed test: it only installs extensions from its own store. Chrome on Android and Safari on iPhone do not run extensions at all. On an Android phone, use Firefox for Android instead.

Last step for everyone: your invite code and friends

  1. Click the PaperTrail button in the toolbar (on Android: menu, Extensions, PaperTrail).
  2. Enter the invite code you got from the operator.
  3. Pair with your friends using friend codes: click Invite a friend and send the code it makes (it starts with PT1-) to one friend in a private chat, or paste a code a friend sent you. Make a new code for each friend.

The operator's invite code only lets you sign up; friend codes are what connect you to your friends. Only friends you pair with ever see your trail.