this post was submitted on 13 Aug 2023

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Firefox to become first mobile browser to support desktop extensions later this year (blog.mozilla.org)

submitted 1 year ago by soyagi@yiffit.net to c/technology@lemmy.world

232 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Source: https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2023/08/10/prepare-your-firefox-desktop-extension-for-the-upcoming-android-release/

Archived version: https://archive.ph/x9dHq

(page 2) 50 comments

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[–] crowsby@lemmy.world 12 points 1 year ago

Kudos to them for rolling out support more widely, but it's a bit misleading as Firefox nightly/Fennec has supported extensions for years (albeit via a cumbersome process), and Kiwi Browser is also a thing.

I can't understand how folks out there are just rawdogging the Internet out there without ublock or at least a DNS ad filter. Admittedly, Chrome runs a hair more smoothly, but the ability to use extensions like uBlock / DarkReader / Consent-O-Matic make the Firefox experience a tier above.

I just hope this makes it possible to install the Bypass Paywalls extension again so I don't have to hop over to Kiwi for that.

[–] Siliconic@discuss.online 11 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (3 children)

About time. I'm tempted to switch back to Mull from Bromite, but I'm worried about the security of Firefox compared to Chromium (that's why I switched in the first place), I've heard that particularly Mobile Firefox has awful sandboxing and bad security, I'm pretty sure it was the GrapheneOS team saying this? I'm no security expert though...

[–] randint@lemm.ee 8 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Yes it was the GrapheneOS team who said that. See the paragraph just above Camera. I literally just skimmed their guides and saw this yesterday while considering getting a Pixel.

[–] z3rOR0ne@lemmy.ml 5 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (5 children)

I use Mull and Vanadium on Graphene OS, and the experience on Vanadium is just okay by comparison. It is true that not having extensions does decrease the attack surface, and Vanadium does have a built in ad blocker, but it simply isn't as all encompassing as ublock's list.

I use Mull mainly but don't log into anything with it, and have noscript extension on by default.

I also turn off JS by default in Vanadium. Both browsers have ways of making exceptions for certain sites in this case, but NoScript has more granular control.

I remember reading on reddit a convo that basically the GrapheneOS team was much more concerned with security than privacy. This isn't to say they don't care about privacy at all, just that they will always prioritize security first.

This makes sense considering their decision to only officially support the Pixel line of devices. You still are supporting Google by giving them your money (and a bit of your data in the process of purchase). Additionally, the decision to default to using the Google Play Store and sandbox the apps, rather than use the Aurora Store, also points to these underlying values.

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[–] JuvenoiaAgent@lemmy.ca 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Bromite hasn't been updated in a while, so you should at least switch to Cromite if you're not switching to Mull. It's a fork by a previous Bromite contributor and includes some improvements, like a bottom toolbar and adblock plus (so normal block lists, not Bromite's less customizable ad blocker.

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[–] spikespaz@programming.dev 9 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Kiwi Browser

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[–] callyral@kbin.social 8 points 1 year ago

What about Kiwi and Iceraven (Iceraven is a Firefox fork which has more extensions)

[–] popemichael@lemmy.sdf.org 8 points 1 year ago (10 children)

I've been using the nightly build, using the desktop extensions for a while now. It's SO worth it. In particular, the YouTube "SponsorBlock" is super convenient.

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[–] dantheclamman@lemmy.world 6 points 1 year ago

I wish they'd add a tablet UI. Doesn't seem to be prioritized whatsoever. Pre-Fenix they had it and have been patiently waiting for tabs to return on large screens ever since, but have lost hope.

[–] Frostwolf@lemmy.world 6 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

As an iOS user and long time Firefox user (never switched to chrome in my life) I feel jealous. But one can only hope that we too in the APPLE walled garden won't be left behind. Though I understand that it would be a long shot. :(

[–] OskarAxolotl@lemmy.world 6 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

Apple doesn't allow extensions to be distributed outside of the AppStore and Firefox on Android is based on WebKit anyway because neither do they allow third-party browser engines. So I wouldn't hold my breath.

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[–] theangryseal@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year ago (5 children)

Oh my goodness that would be amazing. I’ll drop safari in an instant.

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[–] SpezCanLigmaBalls@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year ago

I use Firefox and on my android tablet but I dont on my iphone since apple doesn't allow extensions on third party browsers. Its so annoying

[–] Arthur_Leywin@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year ago

Maybe I'll stop using Brave. Sounds cool af

[–] AlexisFR@jlai.lu 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

It has been for years, no? Or was it mobile-tagged extensions?

[–] blady_blah@lemmy.world 11 points 1 year ago

Limited to mobile add-ons.

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