Chrome extensions for Android: 2 ways to extend browsing UX on Mobile

The best part of Google Chrome is the vast library of extensions that is available to extend the functionality of the browser. The user-friendliness of Google Chrome and Chrome web store as a utility makes it unbeatable. Sadly, chrome extensions aren’t available on the stock Google Chrome android app. That means chrome extensions for Android is a most-requested feature by the users. Google leaves this request unattended for multiple business reasons. Furthermore, Google isn’t planning to add chrome web store for Android app.

If we consider the number of users, then Google Chrome Android app has over 1 billion active installs. That’s a lot of broken hearts.

Not anymore.

In this guide, I will share two simple ways to use chrome extensions on Android smartphones. You don’t have to root or go Tony Stark to get this little thing done. Obviously, you cannot use Google Chrome for Android to do so. We will be using a different browser that accepts add-on installation from the chrome web store for Android.

Without further ado, let’s begin.

Chrome extensions for Android: Extend your mobile browsing experience by Yandex Browser

One important thing to note here is that even if you successfully access the chrome web store on android smartphone, some chrome extensions may not work on Android smartphones due to limitations of the mobile browsing when compared to desktop browsing.

You may not find exact user-experience for some extensions as you find on the desktop, but there are very few chrome extensions that would disappoint you.

With that said, here are the

Simple ways to run chrome extensions on Android smartphones:

Step 1: Install the Yandex Browser from the Google Play Store

Step 2: In the URL bar search for chrome webstore or simply copy this URL & paste in the browser.

Step 3: Search for any extension you wish to install

Step 4: Tap on “ Add to Chrome “ button

Step 5: The chrome extension will be downloaded to your android smartphone under the Yandex browser. To check the downloaded extensions go to Settings “ Extensions

Chrome extensions for Android: Extend your mobile browsing experience by Kiwi Browser

Yet another third party browser you can use is Kiwi browser. Kiwi browser that runs on Google’s Blink Engine & Webkit. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about your security & privacy. It’s safe as chrome, but better 😉

So, here are the steps to Install Chrome extensions on Android using Kiwi browser

Step 1: Download Kiwi browser from the Google Play store

Step 2: Open Kiwi browser and enter the Chrome Webstore for Android or simply copy paste this URL, chrome://extensions

Step 3: If you access chrome://extensions you’d need to enable developer mode. Don’t worry, it’s safe to do so.

Step 4: Look for the extension you wish to download and tap Add to Chrome button.

What if either of these browsers does not support chrome extensions for your android smartphones?

As mentioned above, some extensions may not work mobile due to the obvious reasons that it is a mobile. Hard and software running in the background are totally different. If one chrome extension doesn’t work on your android smartphone, look for some other extension of similar nature.

If you’ve downloaded & wish to continue with Yandex browser, let me tell you that Yandex has its own extension webstore. Here’s a helpful guide that will help you get familiar with the Yandex webstore. Furthermore, Kiwi browser is a chromium-based browser, so you can easily find chrome extensions that will work great on Kiwi. Provided that they’re mobile compatible.

Kiwi or Yandex. Which one is better?

Both Kiwi & Yandex are trustworthy browsers. Yandex is a Russian search giant and hence can be trusted big time. Also, Kiwi is a subset of chromium’s core so it can be trusted like you trust Google Chrome. It’s just that it’s better than Google Chrome.

Yandex is also built on Google’s BlinkWeb browser engine and is based on the Chromium open source project. Your web browsing security is taken care by Yandex security systems and downloads are scanned for viruses by Kaspersky.

If you take a look at Kiwi browser’s interface, it is more or less like Google Chrome only. That makes me lean on the Kiwi browser. But when I look at the setting and other features like password manager, bank card security, Ad-blocking, turbo mode (for slow internet connections) etc, Yandex takes a lead by miles.

Sure, both support chrome webstore for android but when it comes to user experience, I’d recommend Yandex. Furthermore, you can switch the default search engine to Google, Yahoo or DuckDuckGo.

Either way, you can check out all the chrome extensions available for Android and decide for yourself.

Chances are you’re already using Firefox on your android mobile as an alternative browser. If yes, then here are some steps you can incorporate to use chrome extensions on android.

Add chrome extensions on Firefox for Android

1. Download Mozilla Firefox or Firefox Nightly browser from the play store
2. Enable “Request desktop site” before everything for better view
3. Tap the 3-dot menu in the top right corner, then tap on Add-ons
4. Tap on “Browse for all Firefox add-ons”
5. Search for “Chrome store foxified” and enable it
6. Now go to the Chrome Webstore and search for your desired chrome extension. Now you will see a “Add to Firefox” button.
7. Tap on “Add to Firefox” button and enjoy the extension.

Again, the Chrome extensions have always been a precious thing for Firefox users. As there have always been compatibility issues with each other. If you are someone who cannot live without particular chrome extension on your android smartphone, then I’d recommend using Yandex over Kiwi and Firefox. You can have Firefox for better user experience.

Final Thoughts

While I was testing multiple extensions for this guide, I personally felt that using the chrome extensions on android is too much of work. I mean, I personally browse the web to gain knowledge or simply spend time reading something meaningful.

The tools that I need to record certain point from those webpages are already available as a core Android feature. Of all three, I found Firefox as the least preferred browser to run chrome extensions on an Android smartphone. If you are looking for a specific solution for a problem for your browsing experience, let me know in the comment section below. I’ll get it fixed and help you out.

Share this post across social media and your personal network so that more and more people get benefitted by this guide. Also, you can join my mailing list and telegram channel to instantly get notified of new posts and updates. It takes a lot of effort to bring these guides to you, feel free to share your view on it.

Originally published at http://www.smarterworld.in on April 30, 2019.