Chrome for Android doesn't have extensions, but Edge now has a whole store

by soumikmahato on 3/14/2025, 6:19:02 PM with 57 comments
Microsoft edge's latest build version 134.0.3124.57, just added a whole new web-store for Android user unlike google. Extensions are great for adding a tiny bit of functionality to a browsing experience without dedicating an entire app to run in the background. For instance, some users like to use VPNs securely tied in from the browser itself rather than running the full-scale app.

  • by 13rac1 on 3/14/2025, 7:26:16 PM

    Firefox for Android also supports extensions, including uBlock Origin: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/ublock-origin...

  • by lxgr on 3/14/2025, 6:59:27 PM

    > Extensions are great for adding a tiny bit of functionality to a browsing experience without dedicating an entire app to run in the background.

    And a great way to give permission to read and modify all websites you visit to something that should really better be an isolated application.

    I would really not consider web extensions an alternative to standalone apps. In my security model, they inhabit the opposite corner.

    > some users like to use VPNs securely tied in from the browser itself rather than running the full-scale app

    This might be a mistake, for example. A VPN app runs sandboxed on mobile OSes (and many VPN types are supported by OSes natively so there's no need for an app in the first place), so it can't get access to website data (if HTTPS is used), whereas a web extension usually can.

  • by newaccountlol on 3/14/2025, 6:50:05 PM

    No adblockers though. Edge for mobile does have a built-in adblocker, but there is no customizable blocklists or transparency on what is being blocked, so Microsoft could give blocklist exemptions to their own ad service while blocking Google's, for example.

  • by account-5 on 3/14/2025, 7:27:09 PM

    I'll be sticking with Firefox, it has extensions and is not owned by an advertising company.

  • by heraldgeezer on 3/14/2025, 7:22:32 PM

    Good for work with Office 365 and all.

    But Firefox Nightly (has tabbed interface on tablet) + ublock origin is the best experience on an Android phone/tablet IMO. Not as fast as Chromium based browsers, but it is worth it for adblocking, block autoplay, extensions for youtube etc.

  • by chasil on 3/14/2025, 7:52:04 PM

    The moment that I see Edge in F-Droid, I will install it.

    That would require a submission of all of the source code, so I assume this will never happen.

    I would consider Edge if it showed up in FFUpdater. I don't see it there either.

  • by p1mrx on 3/14/2025, 9:31:50 PM

    I briefly installed it, and see a list of 22 extensions, not much of a "store" right now.

  • by neilv on 3/14/2025, 7:45:35 PM

    It's like being an unwitting member of a death cult, but your moment of clarity comes when the refreshments table doesn't have blueberry-flavored punch. So you flee... right into the welcoming tentacles of the more appealing death cult next door.

  • by modzu on 3/14/2025, 7:56:30 PM

    how the hell does anyone use a browser on their phone without a bottom address bar (a la firefox)? do i just have tiny hands??

  • by liviux on 3/14/2025, 6:53:36 PM

    Went to kiwi browser on my android phone and tablets, never looked back.

  • by greatgib on 3/14/2025, 11:17:43 PM

    No one in his right mind will voluntarily ever install and use Edge on any device (desktop or mobile)...

  • by cft on 3/14/2025, 6:49:38 PM

    Are they also banning uBlock v2 though?

  • by josefritzishere on 3/14/2025, 6:51:21 PM

    They don't want us to block ads? Shocking.