Surprise! Microsoft Edge is Coming to Android and iOS

Microsoft announced this morning that it is bringing its Microsoft Edge web browser to Android and iOS. And in a related move, the Arrow Launcher app for Android is “graduating” and getting a new name: Microsoft Arrow. Both apps are part of the firm’s efforts to make it easy to move what you’re working on between your phone and PC.

“One of the most common requests we hear from people who use Microsoft Edge on Windows 10 PCs is ‘we want our browser experience to move to our phones’,” Microsoft’s Joe Belfiore writes. “You spoke, we listened.”

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And to be clear, Microsoft Edge for Android and iOS is about that “browser experience,” is about bringing the features from the Windows 10 web browser to mobile, and not about the rendering engine or the underlying technology. So you’ll get familiar Edge features like Favorites, Reading List, New Tab Page, and Reading View, plus automatic “Continue on PC” functionality. Over time, more features, like roaming passwords, will come to the apps as well.

For the short term, however, availability and functionality will be limited. If you’re on iOS, you can access the first preview version of Microsoft Edge today. But the Android version is coming soon.

Language support is US English only for now, but Microsoft promises to “ramp to other countries/languages” as it expands the preview. And some features, like roaming passwords, will not be available immediately.

What is available immediately is the new Microsoft Launcher app for Android, which is a replacement for Arrow Launcher. This version has been updated with the Fluent Design System, and it lets you pin your favorite people to the home screen, just as you can do with Start in Windows 10.

“Microsoft Launcher represents the ‘graduation’ of the 4.6-star rated Arrow Launcher project that was developed in our Garage,” Mr. Belfiore explains. “We’re making a big update to Arrow and changing its name. Everyone on the Arrow Launcher beta will automatically get the Microsoft Launcher today, and any other Android users can join the preview of Microsoft Launcher beginning today as well.”

Exciting stuff. I’ll try to look at both of these in more detail as soon as possible.

Sign-up to get Microsoft Edge preview on iOS here.

Sign-up to be notified when Microsoft Edge preview on Android is available.

 

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Conversation 72 comments

  • ben55124

    Premium Member
    05 October, 2017 - 9:14 am

    <p>Great – a browser that uses the native rendering engine, offers the edge "chrome", and no extensions. So who are these vocal Edge "people" and what can windows phone, media center, zune, etc fans learn from them?</p>

    • wshwe

      05 October, 2017 - 9:29 am

      <blockquote><a href="#203745"><em>In reply to ben55124:</em></a></blockquote><p>Windows 10 Mobile is dead. I don't think Chrome on Android and iOS offer extensions either. I will start using Edge more after the Android and iOS versions come out of beta.</p>

    • jimchamplin

      Premium Member
      05 October, 2017 - 9:52 am

      <blockquote><a href="#203745"><em>In reply to ben55124:</em></a></blockquote><p>No extensions for mobile Chrome either. Only Safari does, and then it's really weird.</p>

      • ben55124

        Premium Member
        05 October, 2017 - 10:25 am

        <blockquote><a href="#203776"><em>In reply to jimchamplin:</em></a></blockquote><p>I'm spoiled by firefox I guess. Cross platform and extensions (at least Windows/Android). A little cynical on anything MS consumer.</p>

  • LocalPCGuy

    05 October, 2017 - 9:18 am

    <p>My first thought was that this was a joke post. It's not, which makes it really good news.</p>

  • Bats

    05 October, 2017 - 9:20 am

    <p>Now, Edge has a shot of survival! </p><p>MSFT needed for this to happen. This wasn't a smart decision. It was the obvious one. I called for this months ago. This should tremendously ease users out of Windows Phone and into Android or iOS. THE BEST CHOICE IS ANDROID, though. </p>

  • skramer49

    Premium Member
    05 October, 2017 - 9:21 am

    <p>Just what we need: another mobile browser. especially from a company who has apparently abandoned the mobile market and seems to be moving away from individual consumers towards enterprise.</p>

    • Ukumio

      Premium Member
      05 October, 2017 - 10:09 am

      <blockquote><a href="#203748"><em>In reply to skramer49:</em></a></blockquote><p>Microsoft moved away from Windows Mobile because no one but hardcore fans were buying the phones, but ever since Satya Nadella took over, no one can doubt that Microsoft has been invested in having their services on mobile, with some W10M even complaining that Microsoft was prioritizing other platforms over their own.</p><p><br></p><p>The new Microsoft seems to be more likely to get rid of products that are just not working or gaining an audience, but as we move to an ever more mobile centric world i think we'll continue to see Microsoft focus on putting their successful services in that space.</p>

  • JacobTheDev

    Premium Member
    05 October, 2017 - 9:31 am

    <p>This makes using Edge a lot more interesting; the main reason I use Chrome is because it syncs so well between devices. Definitely going to give it a shot. If extensions end up coming to the Android version, that pretty much puts it over-the-top for me.</p>

  • glenn8878

    05 October, 2017 - 9:31 am

    <p>Surprise! In a “Here’s Johnny!!!” way. </p>

  • ianceicys

    Premium Member
    05 October, 2017 - 9:45 am

    <p>This idea of 'edge' on ios/chrome are nearly useless. Password syncing come-on. The rebranding of the arrow launcher is nice…but Edge as a web rendering engine and platform is and has been for the last 2 years DOA. Don't expect web developers to target edge, but rather they with instead target Chrome and Webkit via Safari. Microsoft should just abandon the entire web rendering engine behind edge. </p>

    • jimchamplin

      Premium Member
      05 October, 2017 - 9:51 am

      <blockquote><a href="#203773"><em>In reply to ianceicys:</em></a></blockquote><p>Relax! Don't panic!</p><p><br></p><p>As both iOS and Android require 3rd party browsers to use the system HTML engine, there's no risk that you'll have to get your hands dirty.</p>

  • wolters

    Premium Member
    05 October, 2017 - 9:52 am

    <p>I've been waiting on this. I didn't think it would be possible but so glad to hear this. I don't mind Chrome but I liked Edge better, at least with the smooth scrolling and it just looked better. I moved to Chrome once I had to leave Windows Phone and go to Android. This is quite exciting. </p>

  • mocavo67

    Premium Member
    05 October, 2017 - 9:58 am

    <p>So if we can dual boot a PC to run Windows and MAC why can't we dual boot a phone to run android or windows mobile. It seems to me that Microsoft being a "software" company and getting out of hardware would simply use their powers to do just that. </p>

    • jimchamplin

      Premium Member
      05 October, 2017 - 10:14 am

      <blockquote><a href="#203779"><em>In reply to mocavo67:</em></a></blockquote><p>One word: Google :(</p><p><br></p><p>Pretty sure they'll pull Google Play services if you do that. Ya know? How Microsoft used to strongarm companies, but now nobody's going to say or do anything.</p>

    • hrlngrv

      Premium Member
      05 October, 2017 - 4:55 pm

      <p><a href="#203779"><em>In reply to mocavo67:</em></a></p><p>Maybe because it's not as easy to handle dual booting on a phone or do much at all with phone OSes.</p><p>Could phones use something like grub or are phone boot loaders baked into firmware and can only boot specific phone OSes. Also, when things go wrong on PCs, it's possible to boot from usb drives to fix things on internal drives. Can phones boot from external media?</p>

  • dontbe evil

    05 October, 2017 - 10:01 am

    <p>ok now we need photos, maps and films&amp;tv</p>

  • Nic

    Premium Member
    05 October, 2017 - 10:09 am

    <p>Because it wasn't bad enough to just have Edge on Windows…</p>

    • jimchamplin

      Premium Member
      05 October, 2017 - 10:14 am

      <blockquote><a href="#203783"><em>In reply to Nic:</em></a></blockquote><p>Boo.</p>

  • harmjr

    Premium Member
    05 October, 2017 - 10:11 am

    <p>Wish Microsoft would release a Windows 10 mobile theme for Android for UI. </p>

  • jimchamplin

    Premium Member
    05 October, 2017 - 10:17 am

    <p>Already joined the Test Flight.</p>

  • JerryH

    Premium Member
    05 October, 2017 - 10:17 am

    <p>Getting closer to Chrome. Unfortunately not roaming stored passwords yet is still a blocker. As we get closer to something usable I now realize it still won't replace Chrome because the roaming of anything (visited sites is the killer for me but some folks need favorites, etc.) is going to be tied to my MS account. Which means it can roam between my Android phone, Android tablet, and home PC. But, it still isn't going to roam to my work PC where MS accounts are not allowed. Chrome on the other hand you just sign in (in the app) to your Google account. But on Windows I don't think you can "sign in" to a MS account in Edge. I think you have to have that account added to Windows which isn't allowed here. Hmm. Getting closer though.</p>

  • Plumbobby

    Premium Member
    05 October, 2017 - 10:22 am

    <p>Oh thank God. The way all normal people love Chrome and sing it's praises… I think I may be the only person who uses "Reading Mode" constantly. I can't stand not having it, now that I'm used to it. I seriously can't wait to be able to use Edge and read sites in an optimized setting with ads removed again! I hope they give an option to have the search bar at the bottom of the screen like the old days lol.</p>

    • mmcpher

      Premium Member
      05 October, 2017 - 2:21 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#203819"><em>In reply to Plumbobby:</em></a><em> When I selected Bing as my Android default search, and navigate to pages from within the results, there is the wonderful "reading mode" icon! </em></blockquote><p><br></p>

  • gregsedwards

    Premium Member
    05 October, 2017 - 10:23 am

    <p>If you watch last week's Windows Weekly from Ignite, there was this <a href="https://youtu.be/ReyE289xJ7k?t=1h31m28s&quot; target="_blank"><u>crazy guy asking a very similar question</u></a> around the 1 hr 30 min mark. It would seem you owe this fellow a beer. ?</p><p><br></p><p>Or at least a crisp high five. ✋</p>

  • Chris Hedlund

    05 October, 2017 - 10:24 am

    <p>I guess this means Microsoft will allow Chrome on Windows 10 S…</p>

    • Winner

      05 October, 2017 - 11:42 am

      <blockquote><a href="#203828"><em>In reply to Chris_Hedlund:</em></a></blockquote><p>I wouldn't hold my breath on that.</p>

      • Ricky Myers

        05 October, 2017 - 12:34 pm

        <blockquote><a href="#203933"><em>In reply to Winner:</em></a> Actually I don't think Microsoft has a problem with that. I think it is Google holding out at the moment. Even Apple is beginning to embrace the Windows Store, by bringing iTunes too it. I think they also see it as a better way to keep their buggy iTunes software update and at a quicker pace.</blockquote><p><br></p>

    • Stooks

      05 October, 2017 - 11:55 am

      <blockquote><a href="#203828"><em>In reply to Chris_Hedlund:</em></a></blockquote><p>???? Why?</p><p><br></p><p>If anything this would probably push that option further out since a Windows 10 S user will be able to use Edge on their phone now.</p>

    • VancouverNinja

      Premium Member
      05 October, 2017 - 3:32 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#203828"><em>In reply to Chris_Hedlund:</em></a></blockquote><p>They already do; but just like on iOS Chrome needs to use Edge's rendering engine. The ball is in Google's court. I think Google's overly aggressive tactics are starting to backfire on them.</p>

  • rmlounsbury

    Premium Member
    05 October, 2017 - 10:26 am

    <p>I just got done listening to last weeks Windows Weekly and couldn't help but chuckle seeing this story after I just got done hearing Paul say it would never happen. </p><p><br></p><p>I think it is great to have more options in the market and not always have to default to the built in browser on Android or iOS. It is awesome for folks that use Windows 10 for their desktop/laptop and want to take advantage of Edge on all their devices. </p><p><br></p><p>I was going to sing up for the beta but was a bit sad to see that Microsoft has locked it down to Windows Insiders with the current release insider build installed on their device. Not sure I want to commit to having insider builders on my device just to get access to the Edge beta which is a 50/50 shot as to whether or not I'd use it regularly. </p><p><br></p><p>I guess I'll have to use Edge as my daily driver for a little while and see if I like the current iteration or not before jumping back onto insider builds. </p>

  • Ron Diaz

    05 October, 2017 - 10:30 am

    <h2>Carole King Lyrics</h2><p><br></p><p><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">"It's Too Late"</strong></p><p><br></p><p>Stayed in bed all morning just to pass the time</p><p>There's something wrong here, there can be no denying</p><p>One of us is changing, or maybe we've just stopped trying</p><p><br></p><p>And it's too late, baby, now it's too late</p><p>Though we really did try to make it</p><p>Something inside has died and I can't hide</p><p>And I just can't fake it, Oh no no</p><p><br></p><p>It used to be so easy living here with you</p><p>You were light and breezy and I knew just what to do</p><p>Now you look so unhappy, and I feel like a fool</p><p><br></p><p>And it's too late, baby, now it's too late</p><p>Though we really did try to make it</p><p>Something inside has died and I can't hide</p><p>And I just can't fake it, oh no no</p><p><br></p><p>There'll be good times again for me and you</p><p>But we just can't stay together, don't you feel it too</p><p>Still I'm glad for what we had, and how I once loved you</p><p><br></p><p>But it's too late, baby, now it's too late</p><p>Though we really did try to make it</p><p>Something inside has died and I can't hide&nbsp;</p><p>And I just can't fake it, Oh no no no no no</p><p><br></p><p>It's too late</p><p>Baby</p><p>It's too late</p><p>Now darling</p><p>It's too late</p><p><br></p>

  • bgoodbody

    Premium Member
    05 October, 2017 - 10:35 am

    <p>Waiting for eMail about Edge for Android. BEWARE: NN MS Edge app is available</p>

  • Tony Barrett

    05 October, 2017 - 10:36 am

    <p>Ha! Sure thing Joe. Yeah, I genuinely believe that MS are being asked to move Edge to iOS and Android. Not. This is the same 'Edge' that has about 5% browser market share. The same Edge that 'integral to Windows 10' and can't be run anywhere else. So, what your really saying here is, "we screwed up our own mobile platform, now what's left is to try and salvage some mobile presence by making our products available for other platforms". </p><p>What next, Edge for Windows 7!</p>

    • Stooks

      05 October, 2017 - 11:08 am

      <blockquote><a href="#203877"><em>In reply to ghostrider:</em></a></blockquote><p>I only use Chrome because I can sync my bookmarks across iOS and Windows. I prefer Edge and the only extension I use is Ublock which is already on Edge.</p><p><br></p><p>Provided it works good enough on iOS I will migrate day one.</p>

  • Winner

    05 October, 2017 - 11:05 am

    <p>Well that's going to speed up the evolution of Edge on Win 10, since now they need to evolve it on 3 platforms…</p>

  • dstrauss

    05 October, 2017 - 11:52 am

    <p>Good luck to them, but I'd venture most of us have already moved (or were in) to Chrome as a cross-platform solution – I can have a Windows desktop, iPhone, and Android tablet, if I want.</p>

    • ChristopherCollins

      Premium Member
      06 October, 2017 - 2:00 am

      <blockquote><a href="#203935"><em>In reply to dstrauss:</em></a></blockquote><blockquote><br></blockquote><p><em>Correct… I have tried Edge so many different times that I got sick of it. Mobile sync seemed like it was never coming and I (like many others just gave up). It would have been smarter to have kept IE going and debuted a FULL featured Edge with mobile sync at the end of this year that really rivaled Chrome. </em></p><p><br></p><p><em>You can only make one first impression. Anyone who chose Microsoft is losing music and slowly everything consumer. If you went iPhone/Macbook with a VM of Windows for those few moments you need it, you have password sync, history, continue on mobile or pc already in Safari… You also have consumer products that will stick around. Google, with their latest announcement has a product for all occasions and it seems that Chromebook is really about to get features rapidly to compete better with Windows.</em></p><p><br></p><p><em>I tried Edge again on every beta. I gave up when they messed up Cast To DLNA in Edge. We are MS geeks, though. No normal consumer will try Edge with each build. Too late for this gesture.</em></p><p><br></p>

  • sott3

    Premium Member
    05 October, 2017 - 12:25 pm

    <p>Now I can avoid using Edge on all my devices!</p>

  • Daekar

    05 October, 2017 - 1:06 pm

    <p>Been hoping for this since Windows 10 came out. Will switch as soon as practical! </p><p><br></p><p>One of the premium folks was saying they wanted to see a Windows themed launcher from Microsoft, and I thought I'd mention the SquareHome 2 Launcher. It is very customizable and can be made to look just like Windows Phone if you want, or more like a Start Menu, or with transparent glass tiles… It's pretty darn neat. You can also set different functions for press vs press and hold… So clicking on my phone app opens then app and a long press calls my wife, for example. </p>

  • marcosbabu

    05 October, 2017 - 1:12 pm

    <p>So, Mr. Belfiore is back? Good to hear. His passion was endearing.</p>

    • illuminated

      05 October, 2017 - 2:01 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#203988"><em>In reply to marcosbabu:</em></a></blockquote><p>While Belfiore was "spending his time with family" the sneaky guy Nadella just strangled windows mobile and left it on the iOS and Android railroad track. </p>

  • Pargon

    Premium Member
    05 October, 2017 - 2:09 pm

    <p>So this is 2 weeks from the Creator's Update round 2….when supposedly MSFT would finally update edge through the store. Seems maybe that's true. Same reasons given for not updating through the store were given for why no cross platform support. That's exciting, maybe Edge will finally get some slope to it's "s-curve" development and rapidly iterate!</p>

    • gregsedwards

      Premium Member
      05 October, 2017 - 7:17 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#204022"><em>In reply to Pargon:</em></a></blockquote><p>I attended an Ignite session on under-the-hood improvements being made to Edge in the FCU, and I'm convinced the development team is building a top-notch browser that competes on all web performance benchmarks. Edge has an extremely efficient rendering engine. What it needs is an engaged user base.</p>

      • GarethB

        Premium Member
        05 October, 2017 - 9:03 pm

        <blockquote><a href="#204182"><em>In reply to gregsedwards:</em></a></blockquote><p>…and a full featured UI.</p><p>Have very few issues in terms of rendering, but there is many things are hard or impossible in the UI.</p><p>..but you know I could read an eBook or write on a web page. (said nobody never)</p>

  • chevypad

    05 October, 2017 - 2:17 pm

    <p>And then there's Samsung's Internet Beta, which has an invert-colors "Night Mode", plugins including ad-blockers, password access via biometrics, a quick-access floating button for sharing and new tabs, and a useful (but unreliably available depending on the site) reading mode/reading list. Which uses a Chrome Plugin to sync bookmarks.</p><p><br></p><p>If I'm going to be a user on Android who does not use Chrome, they make a far more compelling argument than Edge. All of their unique "gimmick" features can improve quality of web browsing…</p>

  • sharpsone

    05 October, 2017 - 2:18 pm

    <p>I'm eager to test this on Android. I've been using firefox, but on W10 I use Edge. Hope the wait isn't too long i'd like the ability to sync my browser across PC and Phone with a MS product. </p>

  • VancouverNinja

    Premium Member
    05 October, 2017 - 3:04 pm

    <p>Simply awesome!! Just finished setting this up on my iPhone and the continue on PC feature works so well! Totally prefer the interface over Safari's, it just seems cleaner and more modern. I can't see how this does not end up being a runaway success for anyone how works on PC's or just wants a nicer browser experience.</p>

  • Wizzwith

    05 October, 2017 - 3:15 pm

    <p>So this certainly makes them selling books in the Windows(-&gt;Microsoft) Store a whole lot more interesting.&nbsp; I'm sure it'll still barely be used, and baffling why they even bothered, but I'm guessing it just doesn't cost much of anything to have it there.&nbsp; Would actually consider technical books through them now though; get the benefit of markup on pen enabled Windows and now could read them across any iOS/Android device as well.&nbsp; Novels will always be on my Kindle (e-ink) reader though.&nbsp; </p>

  • kjb434

    Premium Member
    05 October, 2017 - 9:47 pm

    <p>This is will make Android worth it. Lumia 1520 in my hands is knocking on death's door. Edge syncing across phone and PC will be worth it.</p>

  • haizelmaeem

    06 October, 2017 - 3:29 am

    <p>Do you need an extra income? Search the website SuperiorTrading System. The people there are good and approachable. They will help you learn how totrade.</p>

  • polymath

    06 October, 2017 - 8:28 am

    <p>Edge, Chrome, Firefox all built to do progressive apps and webasm.. </p><p><br></p><p>in a year or two most of the world will be using browser based internet and internet based applications .</p><p><br></p><p>Edge on ,,, android, ios, Microsoft ( ARM x86 machines coming.. with windows ) all ways on 4G LTE. in the form of "phones" in inverted comers, Tablets, convertibles, 360 laptops etc,, </p><p><br></p><p>we are in a transition from the old tower/laptop into modern fan less micro technology supported by the cloud using all ways connected internet </p>

  • Waethorn

    06 October, 2017 - 12:26 pm

    <p>So does this mean that Microsoft will start pushing this onto Samsung due to their preloading of Microsoft apps already?</p>

  • Kadren

    11 October, 2017 - 3:56 am

    <p>With all the recent news, i can't help but see the desperation in every action Microsoft takes. I mean, <a href="https://software.informer.com/Stories/hange-edge-as-the-default-browser-in-windows-10.html&quot; target="_blank">Edge</a>, the browser so unpopular it can now be officially replaced as the default one, is getting ported. With the recent track record of Windows failing to maintain its <a href="https://software.informer.com/Stories/best-windows-10-programs-to-stream-music-with.html&quot; target="_blank">streaming</a> services or the continuing rise and evolution of online services like <a href="https://droidinformer.org/Stories/instagram-now-wants-you-to-share-your-stories-on-facebook.html&quot; target="_blank">Instagram</a> requiring more and more prowess from browsers, it's only a mattter of time when Windows becomes the wors system for online access, and than it will be the death of it.</p>

  • mmcpher

    Premium Member
    13 October, 2017 - 3:17 pm

    <p>Another Edge on Android update today! I hope it resolves 2 issues I have so far: 1) using the Note 8 S Pen to input text is glitchy; and more importantly, 2) Lastpass is also glitchy when I use Edge. What happens is at whichever site where I use my email address as a username, when I navigate to it, LP assumes I am looking for email password rather than the website password. When I search LP and find the site entry and try to select it, it brings me to some odd search page. </p><p><br></p><p>But it a real pleasure to have Reading Mode and I also love "Continue on PC". Getting Mobile Edge only re-enforces my strong preference for Edge over Chrome. It is painful to have to go back to Chrome whenever I am on our old Windows 7 PC through Terminal Server. </p>

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