Kiwi Browser removed from Google Play Store as maintenance ends, code integrated into Microsoft Edge

The relatively popular Kiwi Browser, known for its unique support for Chrome extensions on Android, has officially been removed from the Google Play Store as the project reaches the end of its development cycle. Users first noticed its disappearance from the Play Store earlier this month, sparking speculation about the browser’s future. Now, an official announcement from the browser’s creator, Arnaud, confirms that Kiwi Browser has been archived and will no longer be maintained after January 2025.

Kiwi Browser earned a loyal user base for being one of the few mobile browsers to support desktop-style Chrome extensions. It also stood out for its performance, privacy features, and customizable interface. However, questions about its future surfaced months ago when updates to the app slowed, leading to discussions on Reddit about whether the project was effectively dead.

Those fears were realized when the browser disappeared from the Google Play Store, with the app’s page now unavailable to users. The official announcement has since clarified that the project has been archived and will no longer receive updates or maintenance.

In a significant turn of events, the code that enabled Kiwi Browser’s support for Chrome extensions has been integrated into Microsoft Edge Canary, the developer version of Microsoft’s Chromium-based browser. This move ensures that Kiwi’s most beloved feature will live on, albeit in a different form.

Users looking to enable Chrome extensions in Microsoft Edge Canary can do so through the following steps:

1. Open Microsoft Edge Canary and navigate to Settings > About Microsoft Edge.
2. Tap the Edge build number five times to enable Developer Options.
3. In Developer Options, select Extension install by ID.
4. To find an extension ID, visit the Microsoft Edge Web Store, select the desired extension, and copy the ID from the URL.
5. Paste the extension ID into the Extension install by ID field to install the extension.

This integration provides a new avenue for users who relied on Kiwi Browser’s functionality, allowing them to continue using their favorite Chrome extensions on a modern and actively maintained platform. Although Kiwi Browser will no longer receive updates, the latest published version remains available for download via the official Github.

Arnaud, the browser’s creator, recommends exploring alternative browsers like Microsoft Edge Canary, Vivaldi Browser, or Mozilla Firefox to ensure continued security and compatibility with modern web standards.

The Kiwi Browser community has expressed mixed emotions about the end of the project. While many are sad to see the app go, others appreciate that its most valuable feature — Chrome extension support — will persist in Microsoft Edge Canary. On Reddit, users have shared fond memories of using Kiwi Browser and expressed gratitude to its creator for years of innovative development.

Kiwi Browser may no longer be available as a standalone app, but its legacy will live on through its code integration into Microsoft Edge. For fans, the transition to Microsoft Edge Canary offers a promising alternative, ensuring that the innovative spirit of Kiwi lives on.