Using Chrome Extensions on Android

[nerdslife_team]

Chrome’s extension support is a big reason why it’s such a popular browser on desktops. There are tons of extensions that can make your browsing experience better, from improving media playback to adding dark mode with one click. Sadly, the mobile version of Chrome doesn’t support these extensions.

But, don’t worry, you can still use these extensions on your Android device using other browsers that do support them. Here’s how.

Method 1: Using Edge Browser for Chrome extensions

Microsoft Edge is available on Android and directly supports Chrome extensions, making it the easiest method to use.

1. Download and install the Edge browser from the Play Store. Once it’s installed, open it and tap the hamburger menu at the bottom right.

2. Tap on ‘Extensions’ in the menu that pops up.

3. You’ll see a list of available extensions. Tap ‘Get’ next to the one you want.

4. Then tap ‘Add’ to install it.

5. To use an installed extension, tap the hamburger menu again, go back to ‘Extensions’, and tap the extension you want to use.

6. You can also tap ‘Manage extensions’ to see more options for your installed extensions.

7. Tap the three dots next to an extension to manage it – you can enable/disable, run in private mode, remove permissions, or uninstall.

Method 2: Using Kiwi Browser for Chrome extensions

Kiwi browser is another option. It’s a free, Chromium-based browser for Android that supports Chrome extensions.

1. Download Kiwi browser from the Google Play Store.

2. Open the browser and tap the three dots at the top right.

3. Tap on ‘Extensions’.
4. Tap ‘+ from Store’ to go to the Chrome Web Store.

5. Search for the extension you want and then tap ‘Add to Chrome’.

6. To use an installed extension, tap the three dots at the top right and tap the extension’s name in the dropdown.

7. To view and manage installed extensions, tap the three dots at the top right, then ‘Extensions’. Here, you can enable or disable extensions.

Note: Browsers like Kiwi let you install Chrome extensions on Android, but they might not always work perfectly since they're not designed for the platform.

Method 3: Using Yandex browser for Chrome extensions

Yandex browser is another Chromium-based option that also supports Chrome extensions on Android.

1. Download and install the Yandex browser from the Play Store.
2. Open the browser, and in the search bar, type chrome.google.com/webstore/category/extensions then hit ‘Search’. This will open the Chrome Web Store.

3. Search for the extension you want, tap on it, and then tap ‘Add to Chrome’, followed by ‘Add extension’.

4. After installation, tap the three dots to the right of the search bar.

5. Scroll down the menu and tap on ‘Extensions’.
6. Finally, tap on the extension you want to use. Some extensions work automatically, like Grammarly.

7. To view installed extensions, tap the hamburger menu (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right.
8. Then, tap on ‘Settings’.

9. On the Settings page, tap ‘Extension catalog’.
10. You will see installed and suggested extensions. Toggle them on or off as desired.

Things to Keep In Mind

• While not all Android browsers support Chrome extensions, some have their own. Firefox, for example, offers its own selection of extensions that provide similar features to many Chrome extensions.
• You can find almost all Chrome extensions using the above browsers on Android. Some popular ones to try include Grammarly, Google Scholar Todoist, Dark Reader, LastPass, and uBlock Origin.
• Extensions often need specific permissions on your device. Always check and review these before enabling an extension.
• When installing, make sure to read user reviews and ratings. It’s best to stick with reputable developers and avoid new extensions that lack feedback.