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
    A
    178•10 months 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
      12•10 months ago

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

      • Johanno
        9•10 months ago

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

      • Rikudou_Sage
        AEnglish
        2•10 months ago

        That would be nice. I tried porting one extension unofficially but I ran into CORS issues.

        • Rikudou_Sage
          AEnglish
          2•10 months ago

          The extensions are JavaScript - you can check the code yourself.

            • Rikudou_Sage
              AEnglish
              3•10 months 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
                  AEnglish
                  1•10 months 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.

      • @hcbxzz@lemmy.world
        1•10 months ago

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