Mozilla set to reintroduce browser extensions to Firefox on Android

Firefox is finally ready to support third-party plugins

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The Firefox app for Android will soon support third-party plugins again as developer Mozilla reverses a previous decision.

Back in 2020, the company launched an overhauledFirefoxfor Android phones, upgrading its security and making the user interface easier to use. One of the casualties of the redesign was thatsupport for browser extensions was drastically reduced. Soon, though,Mozilla’s mobile Firefox app on Android has the necessary infrastructure for extensions. So you can have your favorite desktop add-ons with you on the go.

What’s more, this will be an “open extension ecosystem” where any skilled developer can come in and create something for the app. Moving forward, “Firefox will become the only major Android browser to support,” Mozilla claims, such a creative environment. People can essentially come in and create whatever they want. This could give the mobile app an edge over rivals likeGoogle Chrome, which doesn’t allow third-party add-ons of any kind.

Future update

Before you run off and install the browser, be aware the patch is not out yet. This is still in the works. Mozilla states it will give a “definite launch date” for its open ecosystem sometime “in early September”. The company does guarantee everything will be released by the end of the year. In the meantime, Mozilla is offering help and resources to developers interested in creating plugins for its app.

It’s unknown if this patch will ever go out to Firefox on iOS. As stated on aMozilla Support page,Applehas its own extension system for iPhone that is “incompatible with Firefox add-ons”. We asked the developer if there are plans to expand this patch over to iOS devices on the off chance it’s possible. This story will be updated if we hear back.

It will be really interesting to see what comes out of it. According toAndroid Police, 22 plug-ins are officially available for Firefox on Android including TechRadar’s pick for thebest ad-blocker: uBlock Origin. There are a few others we would love to see. For instance, there’sTabbyto help manage browser tabs plusEnhancer for YouTube. The latter introduces a lot of cool tools forYouTubelike the ability to configure shortcuts.

While we have you, be sure to check out TechRadar’s recently updated list of thebest web browsers for 2023.

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Cesar Cadenas has been writing about the tech industry for several years now specializing in consumer electronics, entertainment devices, Windows, and the gaming industry. But he’s also passionate about smartphones, GPUs, and cybersecurity.

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