For the small segment of market users who choose to use the Firefox browser (Firefox) instead of the default Chrome browser on their Android devices, their experience just got better. Firefox browser maker Mozilla today announced the launch of more than 450 new extensions (also known as browser add-ons), which are now available on Mozilla's Firefox browser add-ons page.
These extensions allow users to tailor their mobile browsers to their needs, whether that's adding anti-tracking privacy tools, content blockers, productivity tools, or other features that introduce new experiences (like streaming music), or features that allow users to personalize the browser user interface (like switching all websites to dark mode or providing better ways to manage tabs).
Firefox launched a rebuilt version of the mobile browser in 2020, replacing the app's previous code base with "GeckoView," a new browser engine that is faster and more customizable. At the time, the company said it had decided to limit supported extensions to "recommended extensions," which are extensions that are commonly installed by end users. This choice allows Mozilla to quickly get the new browser into the hands of consumers, but it kills the long tail effect of extension development and creates opportunities for software developers focused on this market.
While nightly versions of Firefox later enabled more extensions, the publicly released version of Firefox for Android doesn't have access to these hundreds of extensions, meaning most mainstream Firefox users can't use them either.
In August, Mozilla said it had finally completed the infrastructure needed to bring an open extension ecosystem back to Firefox for Android. Mozilla then began testing and delivering hundreds of extensions to Firefox for Android users, culminating in today's announcement that more than 450 extensions are now available.
The company emphasized the importance of an open ecosystem, noting that nearly half of Firefox desktop users have extensions installed to customize their experience.
Many of the recommended extensions for Android browsers have user numbers in the six figures and above, but the app itself only holds a small share of the mobile browser market as default browsers Chrome and Safari have gained huge market share on Android and iOS respectively. According to StatCounter, as of November 2023, the Firefox browser has a market share of only 0.5% on mobile devices. In comparison, Chrome’s share is 64.23%. In the mobile browser competition, Safari, Samsung Browser, Opera and other browsers are also ahead of Firefox.
Still, the Firefox browser has a small but loyal following of users, including those looking for alternatives to the big tech giants. One of its main selling points is the automatic blocking of trackers, which will appeal to privacy-conscious users. According to data from the Google Play Store, the Firefox browser for Android has been installed more than 100 million times so far.
"The opportunity for innovation is huge," Firefox engineering director Giorgio Natili said in the announcement of the extension feature. "I'm excited to see extension developers seize this opportunity to create novel browsing experiences and features for Firefox Android users. People no longer have to browse the mobile web in a rigid way. With extensions, you have the freedom to change the way Firefox Android looks and behaves. As more developers innovate in this exciting new space, it will only get better."