Below are five desktop installation and set-up steps to get started for Zotero 6 and Zotero 7 on a Windows or Mac desktop. If you have problems, get more information at Zotero Documentation or Ask a Librarian.
You can also view step-by-step installation and settings videos below.
For Chromebooks, visit Install Zotero on a Chromebook
Zotero can also be downloaded as an iOS app for iPhone and iPad. There is also a beta Zotero Android app. For mobile installation, visit https://www.zotero.org/support/mobile.
Note that you can only use Chrome extensions and themes on computers. You cannot install extensions and themes when you're using a mobile device, even if you set it in desktop mode.
If you're unable to install an extension in your browser, you can save webpages or identifiers to your library from the save page or with the magic wand button from your web library (must be logged in to do this).
The Zotero Connector is a browser extension that works with Firefox, Chrome, Edge and Safari to import content from the Web.
If the eye has a line, click on the eye and select "Show in toolbar."
Register for a free online account
Registration allows you to:
You can use any email and password, and might consider using one to which you have post-graduation or long-term access. You can also add a backup email.
Zotero works with Google Docs, Microsoft Word (Word) and LibreOffice to insert in-text citations and create bibliographies. The plugin should install with the Zotero software and browser extension. To check this and set preferences, open Zotero on your computer and follow these steps:
You can select the Temple University OpenURL or another library that you have access to. This allows you to access and download available full-text.
By default, Zotero stores all data locally on your computer, so storage is unlimited or up to your device capacity.
Setting up Zotero syncing allows you to store what is on your device to Zotero.org cloud storage. This allows you to access the same content among all your devices, share your Zotero files in group libraries, and access files from your online library on Zotero.org.
Zotero syncing has two parts: Data syncing and file syncing.
If you already have Zotero installed, you will have the option of replacing or having both the older version and Zotero 7. You can switch back and forth without affecting your Zotero data.
The video demo shows settings using a Mac OS. For Windows, Settings is the last menu item under the File Tab. Other than that, the steps are the same.
You can only use Chrome extensions and themes on computers. You cannot install extensions and themes when you're using a mobile device, even if you set it in desktop mode.
If you're unable to install an extension in your browser, you can save webpages or identifiers to your library from the save page or with the magic wand button from your web library (must be logged in to do this).
If you don't see the Zotero Connector extension listed when clicking on the jigsaw icon, check if you have installed the Zotero Connector
If you don't see the Zotero Connector in your list of extensions at all, you will need to reinstall it:
If none of this works, Ask a Librarian for troubleshooting assistance.
The Zotero Connector for Safari is bundled with the Zotero application, so you do not need to install the Zotero Connector extension separately.
It is NOT automatically activated in Safari. Activate with these steps:
Under General settings, file handling by default is set to automatically download PDF and other files. You can uncheck this and other settings.
Zotero online file storage allows you to synchronize PDFs, images, web snapshots, and other files among all your devices, share your Zotero attachments in group libraries, and access files via your online library on zotero.org.
The cloud storage for data (library items, notes, links, tags, and other non-attached items) is unlimited.
As explained in "Step 5. Sync your library online and across devices (optional)", Zotero free cloud storage for files is 300 MB (about 100 PDFs). If you exceed this amount, additional files will not sync from your device to the online library. Nor can you share files from a group library that you create.
You can store an unlimited number of files on your device, depending on your own storage capacity.
Three options for working with cloud storage