The desktop version of Google Chrome is famous for its extension support, but Google does not provide a way to add Chrome extensions to the browser on Android. However, you can install and use Chrome extensions on Android using these workarounds.
How to add Chrome extensions on Android using Kiwi Browser
The first alternative is to use Kiwi Browser, a third-party Chromium-based browser. Kiwi Browser installs quickly and loads quickly – and most importantly, supports Chrome extensions on mobile. Here are the steps to add Chrome extensions on Android using Kiwi:
- Download the latest version of Kiwi Browser, free on the Play Store.
- Launch the browser, tap the three dots in the upper right corner, then select Extensions. Turn on the toggle in the upper right corner to turn it on Developer Mode.
Once you've enabled Developer Mode in Kiwi Browser, you can install Chrome extensions by following the steps below:
- Enter chrome.google.com/webstore/category/extensions Tap the URL bar to access the Chrome Web Store on mobile. Alternatively, open the previous link or search for “Chrome Web Store” in the search bar.
- Browse the Chrome Web Store or search for the extension you want to add.
- When you find an extension, tap it and select it Add to Chrome. A message will appear asking if you want to confirm your choice. Press OK and wait for the extension to install.
To manage extensions in the browser, tap the three dots in the upper right corner. Then choose Extensions to see a catalog of your installed extensions. You can disable, update or remove extensions with just a few taps. To use an extension, tap the three-dot menu in the upper right corner and select the extension name at the bottom of the menu.
Note: While you can install Chrome extensions on Android, there is no guarantee they will all work. This is because the Google Chrome extension is not optimized for Android devices.
How to add Chrome extensions on Android using Yandex Browser
Like Kiwi, Yandex Browser is based on Chromium and supports Chrome add-ons on mobile devices. Here's how to install Chrome extensions on Android using Yandex Browser:
- Download Yandex Browser from Play Store and open the application.
- Enter chrome.google.com/webstore/category/extensions Go to the search bar and click Search. This will redirect you to the Chrome Web Store page. Search for the extension you want to install and tap on it.
- Select Add to Chrome and click Add Extension in the pop-up window to install. To see installed extensions, tap the 3-dash menu in the lower right corner, then select Settings > Extensions catalog.
To launch and use the extension on Yandex, visit any website, then tap the three-dot menu next to the URL bar. Scroll down to the pop-up window and tap Extensionsthen select the extension you want to use. Some extensions (like Grammarly) will automatically work on both Yandex and Kiwi.
It's easy to install Chrome extensions on desktop, but it's harder to install similar extensions on Google Chrome for Android. By following the steps above, you can install and use Chrome extensions on your Android phone.
