One of the main arguments brought forth for the switching to the WebExtensions system for browser extensions was that it made cross-browser extensions easier. Firefox users may now reap the benefits of this promise, as Mozilla has implemented functionality in the browser to import extensions from other browsers.

The feature, which is in testing at the moment, can be enabled by all users of the latest stable version of Firefox.

The feature is limited at the time to Google Chrome and select extensions. Even though Firefox and Chrome extensions use the same framework, WebExtensions, they are not compatible immediately. Firefox users who attempt to install extensions from Chrome’s Web Store may notice that this is not working.

  • Rikudou_Sage@lemmings.world
    176·
    1 year ago

    Very misleading title. You cannot actually install Chrome extensions which is what I assumed after reading the title.

    What this does is that when migrating from Chrome, you can automatically install supported extensions that are also in the Mozilla addons store.

    • InfiniWheel@lemmy.one
      141·
      1 year ago

      IIRC there’s a standard being worked on that would allow actual crosscompatibility, so give or take 5 more years

      • Johanno@feddit.de
        9·
        1 year ago

        There is already a standard on how websites should work and still some claim they can’t run on linux or Firefox

      • hcbxzz@lemmy.world
        1·
        1 year ago

        WebExtensions was supposed to be that standard from the beginning, but failed miserably due to bad design

            • Rikudou_Sage@lemmings.worldEnglish
              3·
              1 year ago

              Eh? Firefox supports Manifest V3 as well. I don’t find anything naive about it. Firefox supporting Chrome extensions can only help Firefox.

                • Rikudou_Sage@lemmings.worldEnglish
                  1·
                  1 year ago

                  Nope, what benefits Firefox is when something is working on Firefox.

                  As an example, I use Revolut and most importantly the one-time virtual cards by Revolut. They have a nice Chrome addon that lets you fill the card details. Otherwise I have to get my phone, open the app, authorize with PIN, check the card details, authorize with PIN again, rewrite the card details and check that I didn’t make a mistake. If the Chrome addon worked in Firefox, it would make my life significantly easier. Sure, the ideal scenario is Revolut supporting Firefox themselves but for whatever reasons they don’t want to.

    • donnachaidh@lemmy.dcmrobertson.com
      62·
      1 year ago

      Instead of importing the Chrome extension directly, Firefox is installing the Firefox version of the extension from Mozilla’s own extension store.

      Seems like it’s just for making the switch from Chrome smoother, rather than being useful for long-time Firefox users.

        • donnachaidh@lemmy.dcmrobertson.com
          18·
          1 year ago

          Seems like it. The article also mentioned that there are only 73 pairs available, so it sounds like Mozilla has to explicitly define what Chrome extensions corresponds to what Firefox extension.

      • stormio@lemmy.ca
        13·
        1 year ago

        I was moderately intrigued by this story until I got to that part. The headline is correct but kind of misleading. I’m sure many people will read it and think Firefox can now run Chrome extensions directly.

    • DestroyMegacorps@lemmy.ml
      1·
      1 year ago

      as a roblox player ropro is a extension that used to be avaible in firefox great extension it brings features like hours played on a game server hopping server selection and more trading stuff if your trading on roblox

  • nieceandtows@programming.dev
    61·
    1 year ago

    Only 73 are supported right now. This sounds like a big feature if it ends up supporting all the chrome extensions.