Microsoft Edge for Android Introduces Major Update with Tab Management, AI Autofill Features, and More

The latest iteration of Edge Canary for Android brings a host of exciting enhancements that dramatically improve tab management and introduce cutting-edge functionality. Unlike the stable version, which lacked features such as tab inactivity and archival capabilities, this new update rolls out some game-changing options that users will find invaluable.

In collaboration with browser researcher Leopeva64, we’ve uncovered several key advancements from the Edge Canary for Android version 134. Let’s explore these noteworthy features in detail.

1. Enhanced Tab Management: Inactivity and Archiving

The desktop version of Edge allows users to manage inactive tabs effectively, but until now, mobile users were left in the dark. Thankfully, Edge Canary now introduces two crucial flags that enhance tab management:

By enabling the “Android Tab Declutter” and “Archive all tabs except active” flags located in the Experimental section, we were able to add a new “Tabs” settings option under General settings. Here’s a snapshot of what you can configure:

Enabling tab settings in Edge Canary for Android

Never: Keep all tabs active without archiving.
After 7 days: Automatically archive tabs that have not been accessed for a week.
After 14 days: Archive tabs after two weeks of inactivity.
After 21 days: A longer inactivity period before archiving.

Additionally, the “Archive duplicate tabs” feature identifies and marks duplicate tabs as inactive. There’s even an option to “Close after 60 days, ” which automatically removes unused archived tabs. However, a custom slider would be a welcome enhancement here, as 60 days may be more than many users require.

Access these new settings by tapping the Tab icon and selecting the Inactive tabs option in the browser.

2. AI-Driven Autofill Enhancements

The power of AI comes to your fingertips with the machine learning-driven autofill feature, which helps you quickly fill in personal information on various websites. Previously, this functionality was available only for the desktop version, but now Edge Canary for Android users can benefit.

ML-powered autofill settings in Edge Canary for Android

To activate or deactivate this feature, navigate to the Addresses and more section and toggle the “Enable machine learning powered autofill suggestions” option.

3. PDF Toolbar and User Interface Innovations

While Edge’s mobile version has allowed users to preview PDF files and copy text, it previously lacked direct toolbar access for PDF-related actions. In an effort to address this, the new Canary version allows users to enable the “PDF toolbar in the tab” feature.

Enabling PDF toolbar settings in Edge Canary for Android

Although we faced challenges in getting this feature to work, reports indicate that it introduces critical functionalities such as Print, Download, and Search options, alongside the existing Share feature. Moreover, users will notice that the navigation bar has adopted a transparent design, enhancing the overall aesthetic of the app.

Be sure to experiment with these hidden features after enabling the flags in the Experimental section!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the main features introduced in Edge Canary for Android?

Edge Canary for Android has introduced several new features, including enhanced tab management with archival and inactivity settings, AI-powered autofill for personal details on websites, and a new PDF toolbar for streamlined PDF handling.

2. How do I enable the new tab management features?

You can enable the new tab management features by going to the Experimental section in the Edge Canary settings, where you can activate the “Android Tab Declutter” and “Archive all tabs except active” flags.

3. Is the AI autofill feature available on all Android devices?

The AI autofill feature is rolling out in Edge Canary for compatible Android devices. Ensure that your browser is updated to the latest version to access and toggle this functionality.

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