Microsoft recently announced that its Edge browser experience is coming to iOS and Android phones in a new effort to put Windows 10 PCs at the center and seamlessly connect across these devices.
However, initially, the Microsoft Edge app was only offered as a preview to iPhone users through the TestFlight program, which unfortunately allows only a max of 10,000 participants. While Google doesn’t have this restriction, you’re able to sign-up, but the app wasn’t available. Now the Edge is officially available as a preview for Android phones through the Google Play Store.
- Microsoft Edge (Android) | Download
Just remember that you’re getting the Edge experience, you’re not getting the full-blown version of the browser using the EdgeHTML rendering engine. Instead, Microsoft opts to offer the app using Google’s Blink rendering engine.
Unlike Apple, Google allows developers to use different rendering engines on its devices, but Microsoft says that it wants to use the engine that works best on the device you have. So, basically, you’re getting Google Chrome with a Microsoft Edge skin that brings additional functionalities specifically designed for Windows 10 users.
In this preview, you get features like Reading View to remove clutter on articles and Continue to PC to pick up where you left off, as well as voice search, InPrivate mode, favorites sync, quick response code reader, and more. However, features like password and tab syncing, and ebook reading will come in a later release.
Of course, you can change the search engine to Google and set Microsoft Edge as your default web browser on your Android device.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].