Microsoft is incorporating support for browser add-ons into its mobile web browser for Android. The browser, which has recently been rebranded as Microsoft Edge: AI Browser, currently lacks add-on support.
Most browsers based on Chromium, such as Google Chrome, also do not have add-on support on mobile, which prevents Android users from utilizing content blockers.
Mozilla recently introduced full add-on support in Firefox for Android. Some browsers based on Chromium do support Chrome add-ons, and certain Chrome browsers like Brave, Vivaldi, and Opera come with built-in content blocking functionality.
When Microsoft launched Microsoft Edge for Android in 2021, it followed in Google’s footsteps by not supporting add-ons. However, Microsoft’s mobile browser does support tracker and ad blocking by default, which is powered by Adblock Plus.
Add-Ons for Microsoft Edge: KI Browser for Android
Microsoft has introduced a new experimental feature in Microsoft Edge: KI Browser for Android. This feature, only available in the Canary development version of the browser, adds support for add-ons when enabled.
According to Leopeva64, the feature is still a work in progress. Upon activation, some users see an Add-Ons link under the Menu in Edge for Android, which lists three add-ons: Dark Reader, uBlock Origin, and Global Speed.
- Dark Reader enables dark mode support for any visited website in the browser.
- uBlock Origin is a highly popular content blocker.
- Global Speed allows users to control the playback speed of video and audio content.
However, the add-ons button did not appear on some test systems after enabling the feature, possibly indicating a gradual roll-out to the entire user base.
Regarding add-on support, Microsoft has two primary options: focusing on a few select add-ons, similar to what Mozilla did in Firefox for Android, or enabling full add-on support.
Both options have their pros and cons. Focusing on select add-ons allows Microsoft to ensure their perfect functionality in the mobile version of the browser, but enabling all add-ons expands the browser’s capabilities, potentially leading to some add-ons not functioning correctly in the mobile version due to differences in interfaces, APIs, technology, or device support.
Currently, users can activate the functionality by:
- Accessing edge://flags in the Microsoft Edge for Android version of the browser.
- Searching for Android Extension or scrolling down to find the flag.
- Enabling it.
- Restarting Microsoft Edge for Android.
Closing Statement
The experimental feature has recently been added to Microsoft Edge Canary, but development may not be fully finished. It could take several months or longer before add-on support becomes available in the stable version of Microsoft Edge for Android.
Nevertheless, add-on support gives Microsoft an advantage over its primary competitor, Google.
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