For years, Firefox enthusiasts on Android devices have clamored for one major feature available on the desktop version — support for extensions. The extension adds seamless customization and flexibility to Firefox, allowing users to block ads, manage passwords, alter page layouts, and more according to their preferences. But Android users were long left without this key capability, much to their chagrin.

Last August, however, Mozilla announced that proper extension support was finally coming to Firefox for Android. Now, after months of testing and tweaking, Mozilla has delivered on its promise. As of this week, Firefox for Android users can browse and install from a library of over 450 extensions curated for mobile use.

Indeed, the available catalog of add-ons is still just a fraction of the massive desktop ecosystem. But there’s already plenty to satisfy different needs — from ad blockers like uBlock Origin and privacy managers like DuckDuckGo to tools like Video Background Play Fix that enable customized video viewing. And Firefox’s Recommended Extensions program flags tested, mobile-friendly add-ons to streamline discovery.

The move sets Firefox apart as the only major mobile browser to offer open extension support. Other browsers like Chrome and Samsung Internet restrict add-ons due to ad blocking concerns and performance issues. Underdog indie browsers have enabled extensions, but none match Firefox’s brand recognition and user base.

Even so, Firefox still faces stiff competition on Android. As of November 2023, Chrome holds almost 65% of the global Android browsing market share per StatCounter statistics. Firefox sits at just 0.51%, a far cry from its heyday. Its supporters hope rich extension support may help close that gap by offering a more customizable experience.

Only time will tell if Firefox’s extensions gambit will pay off in winning Android converts. But for now, its loyal user base is simply celebrating finally having the customization tools they’ve long pined for on mobile. No longer must they choose between the extension capabilities of desktop Firefox and the on-the-go nature of mobile. At long last, Android fans have the fully-featured Firefox they’ve begged for all along.