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One of the main reasons for switching browser extensions to the WebExtensions system is that it makes cross-browser extensions easier. Firefox browser users can now enjoy the benefits of this promise, as Mozilla has implemented the ability to import extensions from other browsers into the browser.
All users of the latest stable version of the Firefox browser can enable this feature, which is currently in testing, by doing the following:
Load about:config in the browser address bar, confirm and continue.
search
browser.migrate.chrome.extensions.enabled.
Set the feature to “True” (enabled).
Restart the Firefox browser.
Mozilla has integrated the feature into the browser’s import feature, which is available to users on first run or anytime from the Settings page.
To do this, select Menu > Settings > Import data (button), or load about:preferences#general in your browser address bar and activate the Import data button on the page. Select Chrome Browser from the list, expand the available import options, and make sure Extensions is selected.
Importing is usually limited to certain data, such as bookmarks or browsing history. Firefox was the first major browser to add extensions to the list of supported imports, and it may be the first to do so.
Currently, this feature is limited to Google Chrome and some extensions. Although extensions for Firefox and Chrome use the same framework, WebExtensions, they are not immediately compatible. Firefox users who try to install extensions from the Chrome browser’s Web Store may find that this feature doesn’t work.
Mozilla decided to create an extension pair list for extensions in the Chrome Web Store and the Mozilla Add-ons Store. Firefox does not import Chrome extensions directly, but instead installs the Firefox version of the extension from Mozilla’s own extension store.
While this is useful in itself, as users can instantly install some of their favorite extensions in the Firefox browser, it has some drawbacks. Customization, setting changes cannot be imported. This isn’t necessarily a problem, especially for extensions that work without any configuration, but it may mean users have to re-make changes, or find a way to import configuration (if supported).
Another downside is that, at the time of writing this report, the new import system does not yet support that many extensions. This page on the Mozilla website lists these extension pairs, and there are currently 73 of them.
Currently Firefox already supports the import of extensions such as uBlock Origin, LastPass, AdGuard AdBlocker, Ghostery or BitDefender TrafficLight.
Currently Mozilla is planning to expand the list to add more pairs of extensions to the import function. Importing from other browsers may also be supported in the future. Most people rely on Chrome’s web store to install extensions, but some browser developers also operate their own extension stores.
Importing extensions is a very useful feature that hopefully will be improved in the future. Mozilla is an early mover, but Chromium browser makers can use Mozilla’s compatible extension data to create their own extension imports. Whether or not that happens remains to be seen.
Mozilla is also working on unlocking the Firefox for Android extension system so that all compatible extensions can be installed, not just some.
Manuscript source: cnbeta
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