Kiwi Web Browser

👤 tarun basu • 📅 April 5, 2026 • 👁️ 68 views • 🔄 Updated May 24, 2026

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## What is Kiwi Browser? Kiwi Browser is an open-source web browser for Android built on the Chromium engine. Its defining characteristic, and the reason for its fame, is its **pioneering support for full desktop-style Chrome extensions**, a feature that was largely absent on mobile browsers. ## The Full History of Kiwi Browser ### Phase 1: Inception and Innovation by a Solo Developer (2018 - 2019) **The Creator:** The browser was created by a French developer named **Arnaud Granal** (known online as `kiwibrowser`). His goal was to build a browser that was not just a clone of Chrome but offered advanced features mobile users craved. **The Breakthrough Feature (2018):** In late 2018, Kiwi Browser made headlines in the tech world by **successfully enabling support for nearly any extension from the Chrome Web Store.** This was a monumental achievement. While other browsers had limited ad-blocking, Kiwi could run powerful extensions like uBlock Origin, Dark Reader, and privacy badger directly on Android. **Rapid Rise in Popularity:** This feature made it an instant hit among **power users, privacy enthusiasts, and developers**. It was the only browser on Android that offered this level of desktop-like customization and control. **Other Innovative Features:** Alongside extensions, Kiwi introduced other user-requested features early on, such as a **bottom address bar** for easier one-handed use and a powerful **night mode** that could force dark themes on websites. ### Phase 2: Period of Uncertainty and Stagnation (2020 - 2022) After its initial burst of popularity and innovation, the project entered a difficult phase. **Sporadic Updates:** Updates from the solo developer became increasingly infrequent. The GitHub repository saw little activity, and the browser on the Play Store lagged behind security updates for the underlying Chromium base. **Rumors of Abandonment:** The long silences led to widespread speculation within its community that the project had been **abandoned**. Users were concerned about using a browser with unpatched security vulnerabilities. **The “XDA Builds” Era:** During this stagnation, members of the tech community, particularly on **XDA-Developers**, took it upon themselves to compile and share their own updated versions of Kiwi. These unofficial builds kept the browser alive and somewhat secure for its dedicated user base, proving there was still strong demand. ### Phase 3: Revival and New Leadership (2023 - Present) This phase marks a dramatic turnaround for the browser. **The Announcement (March 2023):** In a surprise post on GitHub, Arnaud Granal announced that development would be restarting. He revealed that he had faced personal challenges, including **battle with cancer**, which had halted his work. **Formation of a New Team:** Crucially, Granal announced he was **handing over the leadership and development** of Kiwi Browser to a new team to ensure its future. This team included active contributors familiar with the codebase. **Return to Active Development:** Under the new team, Kiwi Browser has seen a consistent stream of updates: **Chromium Base Upgrades:** The browser has been consistently updated to modern Chromium versions, closing critical security gaps. **New Features:** The team has started adding new features and refining the UI, signaling a active roadmap. **Rebuilding Trust:** The clear communication and regular updates have been crucial in rebuilding trust with the user community. ## Key Features That Defined Kiwi Browser **Chrome Extension Support:** Its flagship feature, allowing it to run extensions directly from the Chrome Web Store. **Bottom Address Bar:** A user-experience focused design that was adopted long before Chrome and other major browsers. **Built-in Night Mode:** A robust and early implementation of a forced dark mode for websites. **Open Source:** Its code is available on GitHub, allowing for transparency and community contributions. **Privacy Options:** Includes built-in ad-blocking and tracking protection. ## Timeline | | | | --- | --- | | **Period** | **Event & Significance** | | **2018** | **Launch and Breakthrough.** Created by Arnaud Granal; becomes the first Android browser to fully support Chrome extensions. | | **2019** | **Peak Popularity.** Grows a dedicated following of power users due to its unique capabilities. | | **2020-2022** | **The “Dark Age”.** Development stagnates; updates are rare, leading to fears of abandonment. Community creates unofficial builds. | | **Mar 2023** | **The Revival.** Original developer announces his health struggles and hands the project to a new team to ensure its survival. | | **2023-Present** | **Active Renewal.** New team delivers regular updates, modernizes the Chromium base, and secures the browser’s future. | ## Origins & launch Kiwi Browser was developed by Arnaud Granal (also known by the handle *arnaud42*) The project’s initial release date is **15 April 2018**. From the start it was based on the open-source Chromium engine (the same underlying tech as Chrome) but aimed at giving Android users more flexibility, especially around extensions and customization. Early on, some standout features included: built-in ad blocking, night mode, support for one-handed usage (bottom address bar), background playback of video, and performance tweaks. ## Growth & distinctive features In April 2019, Kiwi Browser added support for Google Chrome extensions on Android — a big differentiator, since very few mobile browsers offered full extension support at that time. Following that, the developer emphasised the ability to load or “import” many Chrome desktop extensions (with caveats) into Kiwi on Android. On 18 April 2020, Kiwi Browser was made fully open-source (including its extensions code) — meaning all source code was released, enabling others to integrate or build upon it. ## Key version and update history The version history shows frequent updates aligned with Chromium engine versions. For example, version 98.0.4758.51 was listed with release notes about Chromium upgrade and stability fixes. Older “APK version history” sites list successive versions: 105.x, 111.x etc through 2023-24. The project tracked major Chromium engine version numbers (so Kiwi version “99”, “101” etc correspond to Chromium base version). ## Open-source and community aspects Making Kiwi fully open-source in 2020 was not just symbolic: the developer explicitly encouraged other browsers (e.g., Microsoft Edge, Brave Browser, Vivaldi) to use Kiwi’s code for extension compatibility. Community feedback, bug reports and user-forum discussions show a dedicated but somewhat niche user base. For example: The browser’s power efficiency was also noted: in a research thesis Kiwi was found more efficient on video playback than many alternatives. ## Decline, issues, and archival Over time, users began to notice slower update cadence, stagnation, and compatibility/security concerns. For instance: On the GitHub issue tracker and public channels it became clear that development was slowing: disabling issue reporting, less engagement. On 23 January 2025 the developer announced that Kiwi Browser is **archived** and “will no longer be maintained after January 2025”. The browser was pulled from the Google Play Store. Latest versions remain available via GitHub but no official updates or support. ## Legacy & impact Kiwi Browser left a mark especially for Android users wanting desktop-class extension functionality on mobile — something rare in the ecosystem. Some of Kiwi’s extension-support innovations were integrated into Microsoft Edge Canary for Android, per the developer. Its open-sourcing means parts of its codebase may live on or influence other browsers. That said, the archival means from a practical standpoint Kiwi is now **not recommended** as a primary browser going forward, especially for users needing up-to-date security and compatibility. ## Summary timeline **15 April 2018**: First release of Kiwi Browser. **April 2019**: Support for Chrome extensions added. **18 April 2020**: Fully open-source release. **2022-2024**: Versions numbered ~100-124; update frequency begins to decline. **23 Jan 2025**: Developer announces project archived, no further maintenance. ## Important caveats & things to know While Kiwi Browser had strong features, users reported concerns such as redirection of search queries via Kiwi’s servers. Because the project is archived, relying on it may carry risks: security vulnerabilities, compatibility issues with newer web standards. If you are still using Kiwi, consider it for non-critical use or as a secondary browser, and plan to transition to an actively maintained alternative. ## Conclusion The history of Kiwi Browser is a rollercoaster story of brilliant innovation, the challenges of solo open-source development, and a remarkable community-driven revival. It stands as a testament to what is possible on Android when developers push beyond the limits of mainstream browsers. While it faced a near-death experience, its recent resurgence under new management has solidified its niche as the go-to browser for Android users who refuse to compromise on the power and flexibility of desktop-style extensions.