Preview: These docs are available early so you can start using them now. Some pages may still be incomplete, outdated, or change as WebLibre develops.

Extensions

Most mobile browsers on Android either do not support extensions at all or only support a very small set. WebLibre uses Mozilla’s Gecko engine, so it can run Firefox add-ons.

This page explains what you can do, where to find the right menu, and what to expect on mobile.

Install an Extension

There are three practical ways to install an extension in WebLibre:

  • During first launch, when WebLibre offers to install uBlock Origin

  • From the browser menu under Extensions → Get Extensions

  • From a local .xpi file in Settings → Extensions → Install from File

If you want to browse available add-ons inside the app, use Get Extensions from the browser menu. The Settings → Extensions screen is mainly for installing from a file or changing the extension collection source.

Recommended: uBlock Origin

If you install only one extension, make it uBlock Origin.

WebLibre offers it during the initial setup, and it is usually the most useful first add-on for everyday browsing.

uBlock Origin helps block:

  • Ads and many pop-ups

  • Tracking scripts

  • Some known malicious domains

  • Many annoyances that make pages slower or harder to use

In practice, this usually means faster page loads, less data usage, and fewer distractions.

WebLibre already includes its own privacy protections, such as tracking protection, HTTPS-only protection, and Global Privacy Control. uBlock Origin complements those protections, but it does not replace them.

Install from a File

If you already have an extension file on your device, you can install it directly. Compatible add-ons use the .xpi file format.

  1. Go to Settings → Extensions

  2. In Install from File, tap Install

  3. Select the .xpi file

Most people will only need this if they already downloaded an add-on file elsewhere.

WebLibre also shows an Allow unsigned extensions option during file installation. Unsigned extensions have not been verified by Mozilla. Only use that option if you trust the source of the file.

If the file does not install, the most common reasons are:

  • the file is not really a compatible .xpi add-on

  • the add-on depends on desktop-only interfaces

  • the add-on is unsigned and you did not explicitly allow that

Use a Custom Extension Collection

WebLibre can use a custom add-on collection instead of the default source. This is for people who know exactly which collection they want to use.

  1. Go to Settings → Extensions

  2. In Custom Collection, tap Configure

  3. Enter the collection details

  4. Tap Save & Restart Browser

The screen asks for three values:

  • Server URL - usually https://services.addons.mozilla.org

  • Collection User - the account name from the collection URL

  • Collection Name - the collection slug from the collection URL

For example, if the collection page is:

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/collections/example-user/privacy-tools/

then the values are:

  • Collection User: example-user

  • Collection Name: privacy-tools

WebLibre restarts after you save a custom collection.

If you later want to go back to the default add-on source, open the same screen and remove the custom collection again.

Manage Installed Extensions

To manage extensions you already installed:

  1. Open the browser menu

  2. Open Extensions

  3. Use Manage Extensions for the installed add-on list

Depending on the extension, you may also see:

  • Extension settings for that add-on

  • Buttons or menu entries provided by the extension itself

  • Shortcuts in browser menus or toolbars if the add-on exposes them

Exact options can vary from one extension to another.

What Works and What May Not

Not every desktop-oriented extension works well on Android. Some add-ons depend on desktop-only interfaces or features that are not practical on a phone.

If an add-on does not work well, you might notice that:

  • It installs but does not do much

  • Its interface is difficult to use on a small screen

  • Some features are missing or unreliable

If you install from a file or switch to a custom collection, be extra careful. Those routes make it easier to try add-ons that were not chosen with mobile use in mind.

When in doubt, start with well-known add-ons that mention Android or mobile support.