What that you must know
- Google is engaged on a desktop-style Chrome for Android with extension help, one thing cellular Chrome has been lacking.
- This new model is designed for bigger Android gadgets like Chromebooks, and it’s an enormous step towards closing the hole between cellular and desktop looking.
- It’s nonetheless a bit tough—no straightforward technique to handle extensions, no toolbar button, and putting in them isn’t as clean as on desktop.
Google is seemingly engaged on a singular model of Chrome for Android with a full-fledged desktop-style interface. This model stands out by lastly bringing browser extension help, one thing the present cellular Chrome fully lacks.
Google Chrome may be large on Android, nevertheless it has all the time lagged behind its desktop model, particularly relating to extensions. Now, Google is engaged on altering that with a desktop-class Chrome for Android, lastly bringing extension help into the combination, as per Mishaal Rahman over at Android Authority.
Because of a current code tweak, customers can now manually set up extensions by merely dragging and dropping .crx information into the chrome://extensions web page.
Constructed for large screens
True to its identify and the reviews from late 2024, the Desktop Android model of Chrome is constructed to deliver the browser’s core options to large-screen Android gadgets, together with Chromebooks and different computer systems. With Chrome OS on its method out, a stable alternative is extra vital than ever.
Rahman has been placing these check Chrome builds by way of their paces, and the outcomes communicate for themselves. He is already acquired extensions like Darkish Reader, Keepa, and uBlock Origin up and working, proving that an Android-based Chrome can absolutely help extensions.
Regardless of the progress, there are nonetheless a couple of hiccups. For one, customers can’t entry extension settings but, and there’s no toolbar button to simply toggle extensions. Moreover, with no Chrome Net Retailer equal for Android, putting in extensions nonetheless feels a bit fundamental. It really works, nevertheless it’s positively not polished.
It seems that Google is at present placing all its vitality into simply making extensions work in any respect. So, to test on or handle your extensions, you may want to move straight to the chrome://extensions web page.
Common telephones? Don’t maintain your breath
Including extension help to Chrome for Android is an enormous step towards matching the desktop looking expertise. Positive, it’s nonetheless a bit tough across the edges, however make no mistake: that is the muse for one thing large.
That mentioned, these modifications most likely received’t result in extensions being accessible on Chrome for normal Android telephones. Google has purposely stayed away from including extension help on Android, not like Firefox and Microsoft Edge, signaling a transparent technique behind the choice.