Microsoft Edge for Android released as a preview

Microsoft released Microsoft Edge for Android today to the public. Android users who want to try out Edge for Android can download and install the development version from Google Play.

Microsoft Edge Canary for Android is compatible with Android 5.0 and newer devices. Microsoft Edge for Android is based on Chromium, the previous Microsoft browser was based on Microsoft's own technology.

Microsoft's Store description reveals that it plans to release daily updates.

Want to be one of the first to preview what’s new? The Microsoft Edge preview channels are now available for mobile! This is the Microsoft Edge Canary channel for Android. Canary will be released daily to keep you up to date on our progress. Your feedback is what helps us improve, so download now and let us know what you think.

The mobile browser displays prompts on first start. Most notably is a data collecting prompt that is unchecked by default, the option to customize the browser's new tab page and theme, and an option to add a Microsoft account for syncing.

The browser opens its tab page by default. It contains a few links to popular destinations, e.g. Wikipedia, Facebook, BBC and Amazon, and a search field to run searches on Bing or type addresses directly.

The interface design is different from Chromium and Google Chrome. Edge displays an account icon in the upper left corner, and the new tab page customization option in the upper right corner.

Users who are looking for settings and other options need to activate the three-dots icon at the bottom of the screen. It displays links to internal pages, including favorites, downloads and settings. and also quick link actions such as "add to collection" or "search web".

Edge for Android includes tracking protection and SmartScreen protection, powered by Microsoft Defender. Just like most Chromium-based browsers, Edge does not support the installation of browser extensions.

Closing Words

Microsoft Edge for Canary is the first step in launching the new browser on Google's Android platform. Microsoft has not revealed when it plans to release the first stable version of Android.

Now You: will you give Edge on Android a try?

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