For the segment of the market that chooses Firefox over Chrome, the default browser on Android devices, the user experience has just received a significant upgrade. Mozilla, the creator of Firefox, has revealed the introduction of more than 450 new extensions, also known as browser add-ons, now accessible on Mozilla’s Firefox Browser Add-ons page. These extensions empower users to personalize their mobile browser according to their preferences, whether by integrating anti-tracking privacy tools, content blockers, productivity features, or other functionalities that offer fresh experiences, such as streaming music. Additionally, users can customize the browser’s interface, such as enabling dark mode for all websites or improving tab management.
The absence of extensions has been a longstanding concern for Firefox Android users since the 2020 launch of a revamped version of the mobile browser featuring the “GeckoView” browser engine—a faster and more customizable engine. Initially, Mozilla limited supported extensions to those within the “Recommended Extensions” program, expediting the browser’s release but constraining extension development opportunities.
Although Firefox’s nightly builds later allowed more extensions, the publicly available Firefox for Android lacked access to these numerous extensions, leaving most mainstream users without them. In August of the current year, Mozilla announced the completion of the necessary infrastructure to reintroduce the open extension ecosystem to Firefox for Android. Subsequently, it commenced testing and making hundreds of extensions available to Firefox for Android users, culminating in the recent announcement of over 450 extensions being accessible.
Emphasizing the importance of an open ecosystem, Mozilla highlighted that nearly half of all Firefox desktop users utilize extensions to customize their experience. While many recommended extensions for the Android browser boast substantial user numbers, Firefox’s market share on mobile devices is modest—0.5% as of November 2023, compared to Chrome’s 64.23%. Nevertheless, Firefox has garnered a dedicated following, particularly among those seeking alternatives beyond major tech giants. Notably, its automatic tracker blocking is a key selling point. According to Google Play Store data, Firefox for Android has accumulated over 100 million installs to date.
Giorgio Natili, Firefox’s Director of Engineering, expressed optimism about the potential for innovation, stating, “The opportunity for innovation is vast… It’s thrilling to see extension developers embrace this moment and create novel browsing experiences and features for Firefox for Android users. People don’t have to browse the mobile web in a strictly singular way anymore. With extensions, you’re free to change the way Firefox for Android looks and behaves. It’s only going to get better as more developers innovate within this exciting new space.”
