r/browsers • u/heroofkill • 5h ago
Found a way to sideload CRX extensions on Android browsers without a built-in “Load CRX” option
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•ㅤI found a simple method to manually install .crx ㅤㅤㅤㅤ extensions on Android browsers that support Chrome ㅤ extensions but "don’t have a built-in option to load/ㅤㅤ install a CRX file directly".
•ㅤI tested this method on Bare Browser, Titanium ㅤㅤㅤㅤ Browser, Elixir, Aerium Browser, and Vivaldi Snapshot, ㅤ and it worked for me.
Steps:
Download the `.crx` file of the extension you want to install.
Open "Files by Google" and find the downloaded `.crx` file.
Open your browser and go to:
`chrome://extensions`
Enable "Developer mode".
Keep the browser open and open "Files by Google in floating window / multi-window mode".
Long-press the `.crx` file . Salect it and "drag it onto the `chrome://extensions` page" in the browser.
Wait around 10 seconds.Don’t close the page immediately.
After a few seconds, the browser should show an “Add extension” confirmation.
Tap Add extension.
Done. The sideloaded extension should now appear in your extensions list.
•ㅤThe main trick is using Files by Google in ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ floating-window mode and dragging the CRX file ㅤㅤㅤ directly onto the extensions page.
This can be useful on Android browsers that support ㅤ extensions but don’t give you a normal “Load CRX” or ㅤ “Install CRX” button.
• I’ve attached a video showing the complete process, ㅤ especially the drag-and-drop part.
ㅤ Note: Only sideload extensions from sources you trust, ㅤ because extensions may be able to access browser ㅤ ㅤ data depending on the permissions they request.
