There has been a division between the Chrome browser on your smartphone and PC for years. The latter was a fast internet browser that could be improved with extensions to add new functionalities and features, while the former was just a browser. The desktop version of the Chrome browser supports extensions that help enhance productivity and the internet browsing experience. Unluckily, Google Chrome users on Android do not get the same treatment, and this is because Google does not suggest a way to add Chrome extensions to its mobile browser.
For Android users, it is possible to enjoy your favorite desktop extensions on your Android phone. This includes HTTPS Everywhere, Grammarly, Privacy Badger, and many more. Unluckily, the Chrome extension is still not available on the default Chrome browser, which comes installed on Android phones. In this blog, TechNinjaPro will show you how to install Chrome extensions on Android using Kiwi Browser.
Why Should You Get Chrome Extensions for Android?
For all users, Android devices are much more than traditional phones. Android phones are also a work tool, source of inspiration, exercise planner, day planner, and more. It makes sense with a broad range of extensions available to help with all the preferred jobs. Think about how many times you need to type emails from your phone. How many of these emails are 100% professional? If you had the Grammarly extension on your phone, you would be assured that your emails are written professionally.
Is There a Difference Between Google Chrome Mobile Extensions and PC Extensions?
There is a major difference between Google Chrome Android extensions and those available on computers. Google Chrome is one of the popular browsers on Windows and Android devices. Chrome browser is one of the fastest, safest, and simplest to use. You also have the extra benefit of having a broad range of extensions and add-ons available so you can completely personalize your internet browsing experience.
These Google Chrome extensions are readily available on your browser, but for some reason, some extensions are not yet available on the Android device. This is unusual considering that Google created both Android and Chrome.
Steps to Install Google Chrome Extensions on Android Using Kiwi Browser
Kiwi Browser is a web-browsing app that supports Chrome extensions on Android phones. The browser installs fast and loads up swiftly. Here are steps to install Chrome extensions on Android using Kiwi Browser.
- Open the Play Store and Download Kiwi Browser. Make sure it is the updated version; otherwise, sideload the application’s latest release.
- Open the Kiwi browser. Click the three dots in the upper right corner and tick Extensions.
- Click to turn on the toggle button at the upper right corner to enable Developer Mode.
- Choose extensions you need to add from the Chrome Web Store, and an install button will appear next to the extension. Instead, use the browser’s address bar to search for an extension by name.
- Once you find the favorite extension, select Add to Chrome. A message pop-up will appear asking if you want to confirm your selection. Click OK to install the extension in the Android browser.
To manage the extensions on the Chrome browser, click the three dots in the upper-right corner. Then, choose extensions to access a list of installed extensions you can disable, update, or remove with a few clicks. You can install Chrome extensions on Android, but there is no guarantee all of them will work. This is because Chrome extensions are not optimized for Android phones.
Like Kiwi Browser, Yandex Browser is Chromium-based and supports Google Chrome extensions on Android phones. Plus, the process is basically the same as Kiwi Browser.
Best Chrome Extensions for Android Mobile Browsers
Google Chrome extensions can help you do things like creating a to-do list, saving passwords, and checking your spelling as you type. Here is a list of some Chrome mobile add-ons to try.
1. LastPass
You would not need to remember usernames and passwords to login into an online account with LastPass, and all you have to remember is the one master password you use to access your LastPass vault. This extension helps you create different strong passwords for other websites and store them locally in an encrypted vault. LastPass also saves time by automatically filling online forms and logins as needed.
If you want to get started using a password manager, here is how to use password managers.
2. Evernote Web Clipper
Evernote Web Clipper lets you quickly clip complete web pages or portions of text for later reading. You can use the tool to highlight crucial information with text or visual callouts. Evernote Web Clipper extension supports unique formats that you can clip from websites like YouTube and Amazon. Plus, you can access the saved items and share them with others via email.
3. Google Scholar Button
Google Scholar Button is a search engine that is limited to scholarly work. This extension enables you to find and cite text sources on the web or in your university library. All you want to do is search inside the box that pops up when you click on the icon for the extension.
4. Grammarly
Grammarly is a grammar checker tool for online writing. This tool vets your spelling, grammar, and punctuation as you write and has a dictionary function that suggests related words. The tool works with Gmail, LinkedIn, Google Docs, and almost everywhere you find yourself writing.
5. Todoist
If you are searching for a Google Chrome extension to help you list and remember to finish your job, the Todoist might be it. This extension allows you to collaborate with teams as well as remind you of projects listed on your calendar. You can save articles in Todoist, add a site as an assignment and even turn a Gmail letter into a task!
To add a website, click Add site as an assignment, and the Todoist extension will save the page URL so you can go back to it later. To efficiently add jobs, highlight any text on a page, right-tick and click Add to Todoist. Tick the Todoist icon to see all your task lists.
If you cannot stay focused working from home, check out the list of best apps to improve your productivity.
6. Google Hangouts
Google Hangouts is an all-in-one communication platform that allows you to use voice calls, messaging, video calls, and more. Group chats will enable you to add up to 150 people, and video calls can include 10 friends. Google Hangouts allows you to message friends even if they are offline and see their responses later.
7. Bitmoji
If you want to develop a customized avatar, consider Bitmoji. This extension builds your personal emojis and uses them in email, social media, and more, and Bitmoji generates messages to go along with your emojis.
8. Adblock Plus
Adblock Plus makes online ads disappear once you forget it is there. This extension blocks video and social media advertising viruses and stops tracking. Tick on the icon any time to see how many ads you have blocked or change your settings.
Android Browsers that Support Google Chrome Extensions
Many Android browsers support Google Chrome extensions, so here are some you can try.
Firefox Browser
Firefox is one of the best-known web browsers for a good reason. It has always been a top competitor to Google Chrome because it is equally fast, protected, and more interested in your online privacy. Firefox does not have the backing of the internet giant, but that has not stopped it from performing well.
Firefox for Android supports Mozilla’s add-ons, providing a similar experience on Android as it does on the desktop system. Most Google Chrome extensions will have a Firefox equivalent, so if you need a favorite add-on on your laptop or PC, you can mimic it almost precisely on mobile.
Dolphin Android Browser
Dolphin Android Browser is another competitor that supports add-ons. While recent updates have not moved it as far forward as possible, it is still a solid Android choice that supports those desired extensions. This browser has an ad blocked and works with Flash.
This extension works efficiently and blocks most ads by default, with a few slipping through, and it works how you would expect it to work.
You can even block undesirable websites via Chrome by tweaking up a few settings.
Best VPNs for Chrome
PureVPN is certainly one of the best VPNs for Google Chrome. If you are looking for a quick way on which VPN services work with Chrome, TechNinjaPro has rounded up its top recommendations below.
How to Remove Google Chrome Extensions on Android
Since there is a short trial and error with the Google Chrome extension on Android devices, you may need to remove extensions after installing them. This could be because they do not work on your phone, or possibly they do not do what you need. The steps to remove extensions and add-on on Android are mentioned below.
- Open your Chrome browser that has the extensions you need to remove.
- Click on your browser settings. Three dots on the top right corner usually represent this.
- After opening your browser’s settings, click on add-ons and then click on extensions.
- Scroll through the list of installed add-ons and extensions until you find one you need to remove.
- If you need to remove the extension, you will have to click on three vertical dots next to the extension and choose remove.
FAQs
Usually, you can get Google Chrome extensions from the Chrome Web Store. However, the mobile version of Chrome browser does not have any. The search option is not available to search for your favorite extensions. This situation is why you need to use alternative internet browsers. Some internet browsers do not provide extensions per se, but they bring many of the features you may search for in an extension.
Google Chrome extensions are similar to the apps on your Android phone. Many choices are available, from saving funds with the Honey extension to correcting your grammar with Grammarly. The Google Chrome Web Store lists some popular options, so if you are not sure what you are looking for, start there.
Extensions are built-in software programs that allow users to customize the Google Chrome browsing experience.
All the Chrome extensions are free, so there is no harm in providing them a try. You can simply remove or disable Chrome extensions by typing chrome://extensions/into the Chrome address bar or right-click on the extension's icon in the toolbar to remove it.
Your Google Chrome extensions should install on Android, but there is no guarantee all of these extensions will work, and this is because Chrome extensions are not optimized for Android phones. Like Kiwi browser, Yandex Browser is Chromium-based and supports Chrome extensions on Android phones.
Generally, Kiwi Browser aims to provide the user peace of mind, making internet browsing a safe experience and using a powerful browser with minimal distractions. Kiwi browser is an amazing internet browser, and one of the reasons is that it supports Google Chrome extensions available at the Chrome Web Store.
Conclusion
It is simple to use Chrome extensions on PCs, yet quite hard to use the same extensions in Google Chrome for Android phones. One of the simplest ways to use Chrome extensions on Android is to use alternative internet browsers, and Chromium-based internet browsers support the use of Chrome extensions on Android phones. But there is no security that all Chrome extensions you install will work on your Android mobile browsers.
