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.

  • InfiniWheel@lemmy.one
    141·
    1 year ago

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

    • Johanno@feddit.de
      9·
      1 year ago

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

    • hcbxzz@lemmy.world
      1·
      1 year ago

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

        • Link.wav [he/him]@beehaw.org
          1·
          1 year ago

          Ok??? But that doesn’t prevent this from Google exerting further influence over what happens with addons in Firefox.

          Two words: Manifest v3

          Google’s been in the business of destroying its competitors since 2001. It’s pretty naive not to foresee some huge problems here.

          • Rikudou_Sage@lemmings.worldEnglish
            3·
            1 year ago

            Eh? Firefox supports Manifest V3 as well. I don’t find anything naive about it. Firefox supporting Chrome extensions can only help Firefox.

            • Link.wav [he/him]@beehaw.org
              1·
              1 year ago

              Obviously I hope you’re right, but I just don’t see Google’s involvement as a net positive. At one time, we believed Google was contributing to projects that they subsequently destroyed. I assure you that Google would find any way to leverage this to harm Firefox.

              Meanwhile, I don’t see how it would benefit Firefox. What benefits Firefox is when people develop addons for Firefox exclusively.

              • Rikudou_Sage@lemmings.worldEnglish
                1·
                1 year 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.

                • Link.wav [he/him]@beehaw.org
                  1·
                  1 year ago

                  the ideal scenario is Revolut supporting Firefox themselves

                  So we agree, yet you still lead with

                  Nope

                  You gotta stop this framing your agreement as a disagreement, my friend. You’re triggering flashbacks to r*ddit lol

                  • Rikudou_Sage@lemmings.worldEnglish
                    1·
                    1 year ago

                    We agree on the ideal scenario, we disagree on what’s a good enough solution, so my previous comment is quite literally disagreement with what you said.