Help & Setup Guide

Note: Unsigned Extensions

Installing unsigned .xpi files requires Firefox Developer Edition, Nightly, or ESR. In about:config, set xpinstall.signatures.required to false. Standard Firefox will block unsigned extensions.

Why is this step needed?

Chrome's native messaging security model requires each extension to be explicitly allowed by ID. Firefox uses extension names instead, so this step is automatic. The ID changes if you reload the extension from a different folder, so you may need to update it.

Using both Chrome and Edge?

You can enter multiple extension IDs separated by commas. Both browser extensions will work simultaneously.

Rich Presence is not visible to yourself

Discord does not show your own Rich Presence status to you. You need a second account or a friend to verify it's working. The Sync View popup and SyncView.exe activity log are the best way to confirm locally.

Browser Extension

A content script runs on supported streaming sites and extracts metadata — title, artist/channel, playback progress, thumbnails, and live status. It uses the Media Session API where available, with DOM selector fallbacks for reliability. The extension sends this data to the native messaging host.

syncviewhost.exe (Native Messaging Host)

A headless process that the browser launches automatically via the native messaging protocol. It receives media data from the extension via stdin/stdout and forwards it to Discord's local IPC named pipe. This is the bridge between your browser and Discord.

SyncView.exe (Companion App)

A desktop GUI app that handles first-time setup, registers the native messaging host in the Windows registry, and provides settings, an activity log, and connection monitoring. It also checks for updates.

Start with Windows

Automatically launch SyncView when you log in. Useful if you always want Rich Presence active.

Minimize to System Tray

When you close the window, SyncView minimizes to the system tray instead of exiting. It keeps running in the background.

Start Minimized

Launch directly to the system tray without showing the window. Best used with "Start with Windows".

Chrome / Edge Extension IDs

Enter your Chrome and/or Edge extension IDs here. This is required for Chromium-based browsers to communicate with the native messaging host. Separate multiple IDs with commas.

Re-register Native Host

Re-creates the native messaging manifest files and updates the Windows registry entries for all browsers. Use this if you moved the install directory or if the native host connection is broken.

Extension popup says "Disconnected"

• Make sure Discord desktop app is running
• Run SyncView.exe at least once to register the native host
• Click Reconnect in the SyncView app
• Verify syncviewhost.exe exists in the same directory as SyncView.exe

Chrome/Edge: "Specified native messaging host not found"

• Open SyncView.exe → Settings
• Paste your extension ID into "Chrome / Edge Extension IDs" and click "Save IDs"
• Your extension ID is on chrome://extensions/ or edge://extensions/
• After saving, reload the extension in your browser

Rich Presence doesn't appear on Discord

• Go to Discord Settings → Activity Privacy → enable "Display current activity as a status message"
• Rich Presence is not visible to yourself — ask a friend to check, or use a second account
• Make sure the media is actually playing (paused content may clear the status after a delay)
• Check that the Discord Application ID is valid — the default is 1482383187882545233

Native host not found (Firefox)

• Open SyncView → Settings → click "Re-register Native Host"
• Verify the registry key: HKCU\Software\Mozilla\NativeMessagingHosts\youtube_discord_rpc
• The manifest's path field must point to the actual location of syncviewhost.exe

Extension doesn't detect media

• Confirm you're on a supported site (YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, etc.)
• Wait a few seconds after the page loads — the content script runs at document_idle
• Some DRM-protected players may limit metadata availability
• Make sure the extension is enabled and has the required permissions

SyncView.exe shows "No media playing" even when playing

• The "Now Playing" display reads state from syncviewhost.exe via a shared file
• Make sure the extension is connected — check the browser extension popup
• The display updates every 3 seconds

Is my data sent anywhere?

No. Sync View is 100% local. Your browser extension talks to a local process via native messaging (stdin/stdout), which then talks to Discord via a local named pipe. No data ever leaves your machine.

Do I need to keep SyncView.exe running?

No. SyncView.exe is only needed for first-time setup and configuration. The browser extension communicates directly with syncviewhost.exe, which the browser launches automatically when needed.

Can I use multiple browsers at the same time?

Yes! Each browser launches its own instance of the native messaging host. However, Discord only shows one Rich Presence status at a time — the last browser to send an update wins.

Does it work with Discord web?

No. Discord Rich Presence only works with the Discord desktop app. The web version does not support local IPC connections.

Can other people see what I'm watching?

Yes, that's the point! Your Discord Rich Presence is visible to friends and anyone who can see your profile. If you want to stop sharing, simply pause the media or disable the extension. You can also disable Rich Presence in Discord Settings → Activity Privacy.

Why does the Chrome extension need an extra setup step?

Chrome and Edge use a stricter security model for native messaging. Each extension must be explicitly allowed by its unique ID. Firefox uses a different mechanism (extension names) that doesn't require this step.

Is it open source?

Yes! Sync View is MIT licensed and fully open source. View the code, report issues, or contribute on GitHub.