Mozilla is set to introduce a significant upgrade to its Firefox browser for Android users. By the end of this year, Firefox for Android is expected to launch an open add-on ecosystem, a feature that has long been available to desktop users but has been conspicuously absent in the mobile domain.
Until now, Firefox for Android users has had access to a limited selection of browser extensions, installable directly from the app. This constraint is about to be lifted as Mozilla plans to open up a whole new world of customization and functionality through an open store for extensions, accessible via the familiar domain addons.mozilla.org.
This move positions Firefox to become the only major Android browser to support an open extension ecosystem, setting it apart from its competitors. Mozilla has announced its intention to reveal a concrete launch date for this feature in early September.
The success of this initiative hinges on the active participation of developers. Mozilla is calling on developers to adapt their existing desktop extensions for use on Android, making them discoverable on Mozilla’s platform. The organization anticipates a substantial user demand for more Android-compatible extensions and advises developers to optimize their software for mobile use as soon as possible. This optimization process may involve redesigning application interfaces for smaller screens and addressing the technical peculiarities of the Android ecosystem.
To ensure a smooth transition, Mozilla is gearing up to support developers with guidelines, resources, and community events. Discussions are already taking place online, encouraging collaboration among software developers. Mozilla has laid the groundwork for this open ecosystem, ensuring the necessary infrastructure is in place.
In a recent update, Mozilla indicated its plans to officially unveil its open ecosystem for browser extensions for Firefox on Android in December. The launch is expected to feature over 200 new add-ons, marking a significant expansion of the browser’s capabilities.
