I have several browsers on my phone, each one serving its own purpose. I use Chrome by default because of its cross-device syncing, and Brave as my all-in-one ad-blocking browser. I also have Vivaldi on the side for heavy-duty tab browsing.
Chrome and Brave are Chromium-based browsers with an extensive selection of add-ons. These software extensions range from ad-blockers to password managers. Unfortunately, this feature is limited to the desktop versions of Chrome and Brave; their Android equivalents don’t support extensions.
That’s where Firefox comes in. It’s one of the few Android browsers to offer desktop-grade extensions. These add-ons either improve a website’s interface or add browser functionality.
When I want simplicity, I fire up Chrome or Brave on Android. For a browsing experience that’s truly mine, I turn to Firefox’s Android app.
All Android browsers should have this feature
There’s no reason not to
Firefox heavily promotes its focus on privacy and building a foundation outside of Chromium’s dominance. If you ask me, I’d lean more toward Firefox’s customization options on Android. It’s such an underrated feature.
As of writing, Firefox has over 13,000 add-ons on Android. Many of these extensions are clearly filler, but several add-ons are worth keeping installed.
Here’s how to check out Firefox’s entire add-ons library on Android:
- Open the Firefox Android app.
- Tap the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner.
- Select Extensions.
- Scroll down to enter Find more extensions.
Doing so opens a new web page listing every Firefox add-on available on Android. The first tab offers at least 35 recommended extensions. The tab below reveals thousands more to download and install.
Installing an add-on is as simple as selecting the extension and tapping Add to Firefox. If you’ve installed extensions on the desktop version of Chrome, this process should feel familiar.
These add-ons make all the difference
All are free to download
From the thousands of available add-ons, five have become mainstays in my Firefox app.
For general ad and content blocking, I use uBlock Origin. Several add-ons do the same job, but I’ve had the best experience with this extension. It’s lightweight, so it doesn’t drain much power while blocking unwanted ads and pop-ups.
Have you heard of Dark Reader? It converts every website to dark mode. The add-on inverts glaring colors and removes blinding white backgrounds, making nighttime viewing much easier on the eyes. You can also adjust brightness, contrast, and fonts.
ClearURLs is a must-have if you care about your privacy. It automatically strips tracking parameters from web addresses as you browse. These stripped-down URLs also look cleaner when you share them in messaging apps.
I’ve been using SponsorBlock for a while, and it’s quickly become my most time-saving add-on. It uses crowdsourced information to skip sponsored segments and self-promotions on embedded YouTube videos. It removes the guesswork from scrubbing through a video.
​Firefox Relay is the only Android add-on the company designed. It lets you create email aliases that forward emails to your actual address. Using this extension to mask your real email address is simpler than creating temporary email accounts for every service you sign up for.
Unlock more add-ons with secret settings
It takes a few more taps to get there
You can install Firefox extensions from downloaded XPI files on Android. You just have to unlock the secret settings menu.
To get there, follow these steps:
- Open the Firefox Android app.
- Tap the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner.
- Enter Settings.
- Select About Firefox near the bottom.
- Tap the Firefox logo at the top five times in succession.
- Head back to Settings.
- Look for Install extension from file.
From there, you can pick an XPI file you’ve downloaded onto your Android phone. This lets you install any extension you find online.
Some desktop-level add-ons might not be compatible with Firefox’s Android app. Installing anything outside the approved list could break the system.
More Android browsers should enable extensions
While I understand Chrome and Brave’s reasons for excluding extensions from their mobile browsers, Firefox’s add-on feature gives it an edge over the competition. Being able to customize the Android browser beyond built-in settings is a godsend for power users like myself.
I’d still recommend Chrome’s Android app to those who are invested in its ecosystem. In contrast, Brave appeals to first-time Android users who want a mobile browser with ad- and tracker-blocking features out of the box. For everyone else who wants to tinker with their Android browser, there’s Firefox.
