Google Chrome on Android may add support for browser extensions, but there’s a catch – Times of India

Google may be adding support for browser extensions in Chrome for Android, but it likely won’t be available on smartphones. While Chrome is the most popular browser on Android, it currently doesn’t support extensions like its desktop counterpart. This limitation likely stems from Google’s desire to prevent widespread ad blocking on Android.
However, there are some third-party Chromium-based browsers that offer extension support, Google is reportedly focusing on bringing this feature to “desktop” builds of Chrome for Android, primarily for Chromebooks.
Since mobile users generally don’t expect extension support, there’s reportedly been little pressure on Google to change this. However, extensions are a crucial part of the desktop browsing experience, especially for devices running on ChromeOS.

Google’ ChromeOS may become more like Android

Google is working to unify Chrome across Android and Chrome OS, starting with a new “Desktop Android” version of Chrome that supports extensions. In June, the company announced to integrate more Android technology into Chrome OS, including the Android Linux kernel and frameworks.
According to a report by Android Authority, evidence of this unification includes a new Android Common Kernel branch for Chrome OS and a common bootloader for Android, Chrome OS, and Fuchsia.
By bringing extensions to the “Desktop Android” version of Chrome, Google is reportedly planning to achieve feature parity between Chrome on Chromebooks and this new unified version.
This suggests that in the coming days the primary difference between Chrome on Android and Chrome OS will be the device’s form factor.
The report also notes that Google’s addition of extension support to a new “Desktop Android” version of Chrome for Chrome OS, may not arrive for phones.
However the report also claims that “Desktop Android” Chrome may become available for phones in the coming days.