Microsoft Edge for Android Introduces New Extensions Ahead of Holidays

Microsoft Edge is set to enhance its functionality on Android devices by officially adding support for various extensions. Although users have been able to activate extensions through the flag menu, Microsoft hasn’t yet made an official announcement regarding this feature. The company has confirmed that it is diligently working on two significant updates: the inclusion of extensions and the introduction of a bottom address bar.

In October, it was reported that Microsoft had expanded its extensions library, which notably included VPN options. Recently, the update to Edge Canary introduced yet another valuable extension known as “Android: Keepa – Amazon Price Tracker.” This addition is particularly timely, coinciding perfectly with the holiday shopping season, especially following Black Friday and the impending Christmas festivities.

Among the newly added extensions, users can find a number that significantly enhance their mobile browsing experience. For instance, Tampermonkey and Violentmonkey provide the ability to customize website functions via small scripts, which can be particularly useful for users looking to block unwanted ads or automate daily tasks. Another noteworthy extension is Dark Reader, which introduces a dark mode to web pages, making for a more comfortable viewing experience during nighttime browsing. Additionally, the YouTube community can benefit from the SponsorBlock extension, designed to skip over annoying sponsorships and lengthy introductions.

As the holiday season approaches, the Keepa extension is poised to help savvy shoppers save money by tracking Amazon prices. This functionality can be a game-changer, allowing consumers to score the best deals of the season.

Microsoft sources have hinted that an official announcement regarding the full rollout of extensions for Edge on Android is forthcoming, although it’s anticipated that the announcement may not be made until January 2025. This timeline is expected due to many employees being unavailable during the holiday month of December.

In previous updates, users had the opportunity to test some advanced extensions for Edge on Android, although some of these options appear to have disappeared with recent changes. Nonetheless, users keen to experiment with new tools can sideload extensions by accessing developer settings in Edge. To enable extensions, users should head to edge://flags in Edge Canary on Android and search for “Android Extension.”

To install an extension, navigate to Settings by tapping the hamburger icon in the bottom right corner, proceed to About Microsoft Edge, and tap the “Edge Canary Version” five times to unlock Developer options. Once this is accomplished, an option to add extensions will be visible.

Users will need to visit the Microsoft Edge Add-ons website to choose an extension, copying its ID from the URL (found after the last “/”). Back in Developer options, select Extension install by ID, paste the copied ID, and the extension will be ready for use. Users can manage their installed extensions conveniently through the browser’s Extensions menu.

In addition to these exciting updates, Microsoft Edge on Android is also preparing to offer users the choice between placing the address bar at the top or bottom of the screen. This feature, which has generated interest among users of Chrome Canary, has also been confirmed by Microsoft as a forthcoming update for Edge.

As Microsoft continues to innovate and expand its Edge browser capabilities on mobile platforms, users can look forward to a more versatile browsing experience. With the imminent addition of extensions and the customization of the address bar, Microsoft Edge is positioning itself as a competitive choice for mobile web browsing, especially during a season of increased online shopping activity.