To test a mobile Edge extension on Android, you will need to use the Microsoft Edge Canary app from the Google Play Store. You can load your custom extension either by enabling experimental flags for direct ID installation or by connecting remotely via USB to a desktop machine for advanced developer inspection.

Follow these steps to set up your Android environment and install your extension:

Step 1: Enable Developer Mode in Edge Canary

  1. 1.

    Open Microsoft Edge Canary on your Android device.

  2. 2.

    Tap the menu icon (three dots/lines) and select Settings.

  3. 3.

    Scroll down and tap About Microsoft Edge.

  4. 4.

    Tap the build number (e.g., version name) rapidly 5 times until the message "Developer options are now enabled" appears.

  5. 5.

    Go back to the main Settings screen and tap Developer options at the bottom.

Step 2: Install your Extension

Method A: Installing by ID (Recommended for .crx packages)
If your extension is already uploaded or hosted in the Microsoft Edge Add-ons Store:

  1. 1.

    Find your extension in the add-ons store and copy the long string of characters at the end of the URL (e.g., jbkfoedolllekgbhcbcoahefnbanhhlh).

  2. 2.

    In Edge Canary, go back to Developer options and select Extension install by id.

  3. 3.

    Paste the ID string and tap OK. Confirm the prompt to add the extension.

Method B: Sideloading via Edge://flags
If you want to install experimental or broad extension support:

  1. 1.

    Go to edge://flags in the address bar.

  2. 2.

    Search for "Android Extension" or "Extension install" and change the toggle to Enabled. Restart the browser when prompted.

  3. 3.

    Open the main menu, select Extensions, and go to Manage Extensions to manage and test your installed build.

Step 3: Remote Debugging & Testing

To inspect console logs and debug your extension in real-time:

  1. 1.

    Connect your Android device to your desktop development machine using a USB cable.

  2. 2.

    Enable USB Debugging in your Android system Settings under Developer Options.

  3. 3.

    Open Microsoft Edge on your desktop and navigate to edge://inspect.

  4. 4.

    Locate your device and the active Edge tab, then click Inspect to open DevTools.

How to Install Browser Extensions on Microsoft Edge for ..., YouTube · Explaining Android · 2024 M04 30

If you are developing a new extension, could you tell me:

  • What framework or manifest version are you building with (Manifest V2 or V3)?

  • Are you using any native messaging or background scripts that need to interact with the Android OS?

This will help determine if you need to adjust your build for mobile compatibility.

To submit your mobile extension to Microsoft, you will use the same unified Microsoft Partner Center portal used for desktop extensions. Because Microsoft Edge on Chromium treats desktop and mobile platforms under a single shared ecosystem, your submission will live under a single unified listing.

The step-by-step submission process follows:

Step 1: Register Your Developer Account

If you haven't already, you must create an official developer profile:

  1. 1.

    Go to the Microsoft Partner Center dashboard.

  2. 2.

    Register using a Microsoft Account (MSA) or a GitHub account.

  3. 3.

    Complete the enrollment details for the Microsoft Edge program. Registration and submission are completely free.

Step 2: Prepare Your Extension Package

  1. 1.

    Compress your extension source files into a standard .zip file.

  2. 2.

    Ensure your manifest.json file uses a supported structure (Manifest V3 is strongly recommended).

  3. 3.

    Mobile Check: Review your extension UI layout. Ensure it functions gracefully on a narrow mobile view and does not rely on hover elements, desktop keyboard shortcuts, or window-resizing API actions that fail on Android.

Step 3: Create a New Submission

  1. 1.

    Log into the Microsoft Partner Center and click on the Edge workspace card from the Home dashboard.

  2. 2.

    Click the Create new extension button.

  3. 3.

    Enter your extension name to reserve it in the marketplace.

Step 4: Upload and Configure Details

The portal will walk you through a left-hand navigation sidebar to fill out mandatory submission details:

  • Packages: Drag and drop your .zip file into the upload window. The portal will auto-validate your configuration files.

  • Availability: Set your visibility (Public vs. Hidden/Private link) and target market regions.

  • Properties: Define your extension’s category (e.g., Productivity, Shopping) and indicate whether it handles sensitive browser data.

  • Privacy Policy: Provide a valid URL to your privacy policy. This is strictly required if your extension transmits personal data.

Step 5: Fill Out Store Listings

  1. 1.

    Navigate to the Store listings tab and choose your default language.

  2. 2.

    Write a clear description explicitly stating that your extension supports mobile browsing on Android.

  3. 3.

    Upload high-quality promo tile graphics and screenshots (including screenshots taken from an Android browser view to prove mobile responsiveness).

Step 6: Add Certification Notes & Submit

  1. 1.

    Go to the upper-right corner and click Publish.

  2. 2.

    In the Notes for certification text field, explicitly note: "Optimized for Microsoft Edge on Android".

  3. 3.

    Provide temporary test account logins, test URLs, or step-by-step details so the Edge review team knows exactly how to trigger and test your features.

  4. 4.

    Click Publish again. The certification check typically takes up to 7 business days to change to "In the Store".

Once approved, your extension will receive its permanent extension ID string. Users can immediately load it into Edge Canary on Android by inputting that ID.