Kiwi Browser Bids Farewell: Here’s What You Need to Know

Kiwi Browser, the beloved open-source web browser for Android, is officially shutting down. Its founder, Arnaud Granal, shared the news on the browser’s official Discord server and GitHub repository.

“Kiwi Browser is now archived. It will no longer be maintained after January 2025,” said Granal.

The browser, known for its unique features and Chrome extension support, has already been removed from the Google Play Store. However, its latest version is still available for download on GitHub.

Why Is Kiwi Browser Shutting Down?

Granal explained the challenges of maintaining a browser over time, especially as a side project:

“Browsers are very complex to maintain, and they require long commitment. I started Kiwi as a side project, and it’s almost 7 years now. I just wanted extensions on mobile for myself.”

The browser’s popularity, with over 1 million monthly downloads, became overwhelming. Granal noted that the increasing user base brought higher expectations for updates and new features, which became difficult to sustain.

A Look Back at Kiwi Browser’s Legacy

First launched in April 2018, Kiwi Browser quickly made a name for itself as a Chromium-based Android browser offering unique features, including:

• Support for Chrome extensions (added in April 2019)
• Night Mode
• Built-in ad blocking
• Performance enhancements
• One-handed usage support
• An optional bottom address bar

In April 2020, Kiwi Browser became fully open-source, further solidifying its place in the open-source community. Despite its success, the browser’s journey has now come to an end.

What’s Next for Kiwi Browser Users?

Granal has suggested alternatives like Mozilla Firefox, Vivaldi, and Microsoft Edge Canary for users looking for a new browser. Notably, the Kiwi Browser’s extension support code has been integrated into Microsoft Edge Canary, allowing users to install extensions on this platform.

Here’s how you can install Chrome extensions on Microsoft Edge Canary for Android:

Steps to Install Extensions on Edge Canary:

1. Open Microsoft Edge Canary and go to Settings > About Microsoft Edge.
2. Tap the Edge build number (e.g., xx.0.2487.0) five times to enable Developer Options.
3. In Developer Options, select Extension install by ID.

To find the extension ID:

1. Open the Microsoft Edge Web Store.
2. Locate and select your desired extension.
3. Copy the ID from the URL (e.g., for Bitwarden, the ID is jbkfoedolllekgbhcbcoahefnbanhhlh from the URL ending).
4. Paste the extension ID into the Extension install by ID field.
5. The extension will install.

Final Thoughts

While you can continue using the latest Kiwi Browser installation for now, keep in mind that an outdated browser may lack new features and expose you to security risks. If you’re still using Kiwi, it’s a good time to explore alternatives and transition to a new browser.

For now, we bid farewell to Kiwi Browser, a project that brought innovation and convenience to mobile browsing for over half a decade. Its impact will surely be remembered by the open-source and Android communities.