Microsoft Edge for Android Introduces Support for Extensions, Bringing Chrome-Based Extensions to Mobile Browsing

In a noteworthy development for mobile web browsing, Microsoft is addressing a longstanding request from users by introducing support for extensions on its Edge browser for Android. The recent preview build of Microsoft Edge for Android, now renamed Microsoft Edge: AI Browser, has incorporated a feature that allows users to download Chrome-based extensions directly to their mobile devices.

This new capability was first identified by Leopeva64 on the XDA Developers forum, an individual known for closely tracking changes to Microsoft Edge for Android on the Canary branch. The identified feature appears as a toggle within the browser's flags, and when activated, it enables users to download and install Chrome-based extensions on their mobile browser, akin to the experience on desktop versions.

As of now, this feature is exclusively available on the Canary version of Microsoft Edge for Android, which serves as a testing ground for new features before their mainstream release. The Canary version allows users to explore and experiment with the latest additions, providing valuable insights and enabling developers to address any potential bugs or issues.

Microsoft Edge is built on the Chromium framework, the same underlying technology as Google Chrome. The move to introduce extensions on Edge for Android raises an intriguing question: will Google respond by incorporating a similar feature for Chrome on Android? This development highlights the ongoing competition and innovation in the mobile browser space, as Microsoft aims to offer users a more versatile and customizable web-browsing experience on Android devices.

For those eager to explore this new capability, the Microsoft Edge Canary app provides an early opportunity to try out extensions on the Android version of the browser. As the competition among mobile browsers continues to evolve, users now have the prospect of utilizing extensions on Microsoft Edge for Android, potentially influencing the features and experiences offered by other major browsers in the mobile ecosystem.

Microsoft Edge Canary app provides an early opportunity to try out extensions on the Android version of the browser