Firefox for Android FAQ

Revision Information
  • Revision id: 32606
  • Created:
  • Creator: Ioana Chiorean
  • Comment: just added a way to bookmark links.
  • Reviewed: Yes
  • Reviewed:
  • Reviewed by: mluna
  • Is approved? Yes
  • Is current revision? No
  • Ready for localization: Yes
  • Readied for localization:
  • Readied for localization by: mluna
Revision Source
Revision Content

This article gives answers to frequently asked questions about Firefox for Android.

Download and install Firefox for Android

Will Firefox for Android work on my device?

Firefox for Android requires Android 2.2 or higher and a device with an ARMv7 processor. See Will Firefox work on my mobile device? for the full list of supported and tested devices.

How do I install Firefox for Android?

Go to mozilla.org/mobile to access the download button or tap the Google Play icon on your Android device and search for Firefox . If your device doesn't have Google Play access, you can use the QR code or links from the Mozilla FTP site, but you will need to install updates manually.

How do I migrate from Opera or Dolphin browser to Firefox for Android?

You can sync Opera or Dolphin to your desktop browser and import your data to Firefox. Then, add Firefox for Android to your Firefox Sync account to access it on your mobile device.

How do I import bookmarks and history?

Import bookmarks and history from Android by tapping the Main menu > More > Settings > Import from Android. Then, select the check box for the data you want to import and tap Import.

Get started with Firefox for Android

How do I zoom?

Double-tap an area of the screen to zoom into that area or pinch. See Zoom in and out of websites on Firefox for Android for screenshots and tips.

How do I open a new tab?

Tap the title bar or swipe right and tap the new tab icon at the bottom of the sidebar. The Awesome screen appears where you can search, or choose from your History or Bookmarks.

Tap the plus on the tab in the upper-right. The Awesome screen appears where you can search, or choose from your History or Bookmarks. Tap the tab again to show your open tabs and tap the plus to open a new tab.

See Manage tabs in Firefox for Android for screenshots and tips.

How do I enable plugins?

Tap to play Flash videos in Firefox for Android. You can also enable flash to play by default in Menu > More > Settings > Plugins, but you might want to read our security article first.

How do I view the desktop version of sites?

Install the Phony add-on. Swipe left and tap the Gear, then tap the puzzle-piece tab to open the Add-ons manager. Search for Phony, then tap the Add to Firefox button. The Installing Add-on notification appears. Tap Gear, then scroll to see the User agent item. Tap Default to change the user agent view to Desktop Firefox and then reload the page.

Install the Phony add-on from the Menu > More > Add-ons manager. Tap the orange folder in the upper-right and search for Phony, then tap the Add to Firefox button. The Installing Add-on notification appears. Tap Menu > Phony to change the default User Agent view. See Firefox mobile for Android Tutorials for a screencast tutorial.

To view websites as they would appear on your desktop, tap Menu > More > Settings > Request Desktop Site.

Tap the Location bar to type a search term, then select from one of the built-in search engines (Google, Amazon.com, Twitter, or Wikipedia). See Search and Find tools in Firefox for Android.

How do I copy and paste?

Long-tap a portion of text you want to copy and drag the handles to select the area. Then tap the selection to copy it (you will see a notification that text was copied to the clipboard). Long-tap in the field where you want to paste the text and select Paste from the menu. See How do I copy and paste text on Android?.

Firefox 14 for mobile doesn't support copy / paste of web page text. To copy / paste from the Location bar long-tap the Location bar and select the Copy menu item. This is fixed in the latest version.

How do I hide the Location bar to get full screen browsing?

Install the Full Screen add-on from the Menu > More > Add-ons manager. Tap the orange folder in the upper-right and search for Full Screen, then tap the Add to Firefox button.

Sync - Take your tabs and settings with you

You'll first need to create a Sync account in your desktop Firefox Preferences, then just pair it with your mobile using the easy setup code. Read the step-by-step instructions.

Configure mobile privacy and security settings

Learn about secure mobile browsing with Firefox.

How does Firefox for Android use the permissions it requests?

GPS location is used only when you choose to share your location with a website. Firefox never uses your location itself or shares it with a website without your permission. Firefox uses the Modify/delete SD card contents permission to save downloaded files to the SD card. Firefox uses the Take pictures and videos permission if you choose to take a picture with your device's built-in camera when a web page requests an image file to upload. Find out more about the Firefox Privacy Policy.

How do I enable the Do-not-track feature?

Tell web sites not to track your browsing for advertising by tapping Menu > More > Settings and enabling the Do Not Track check box. Learn more

How do I protect stored passwords?

Create a master password to protect others from logging into your sites by tapping Menu > More > Settings and tapping the Use Master Password check box. See Using Master Password on Firefox for Android.

How do I clear the history?

Install the Cleary add-on, then swipe right and tap the Gear button to see your preferences. Tap the Clear private data row and tap the History Clear.

Clear your browsing history by tapping Menu > More > Settings and tapping the Clear history setting. See Clear your browsing history and other personal data on Firefox for Android

Clear browsing history (and many other types of data) by tapping Menu > More > Settings > Clear private data, select the types of data you want to delete and tap Clear data. See also Clear your browsing history and other personal data on Firefox for Android.

How do I block flash-enabled ads?

Block ads by tapping Menu > More > Settings and tapping the Plugins item. Then, select Disabled to prevent flash-enabled ads from playing. See How do I watch Flash videos with Firefox for Android?

Get Android add-ons, customize controls, options and preferences

How do I get add-ons?

Tap Menu > More > Add-ons, then tap the orange folder to search for Android add-ons for your Firefox. Learn more.

How do I change the size of the text?

Tap Menu > More > Settings and tap the Font size to select small, medium, large and x-large.

How do I change my language?

To change your language, select the language when you download Firefox for Android from Google Play. Learn more

How do I add a shortcut to my home screen?

Tap the Location bar and long-tap an item in your bookmarks or history and then select Add to Home Screen. See Add, delete and view bookmarked webpages in Firefox for Android

How do I add a bookmark?

Go to a web page you want to bookmark then tap the Menu > Star. You can add a link to bookmark without entering it by long tapping the link and choosing {Bookmark link}

Go to a web page you want to bookmark then swipe left and tap the Star.

How do I remove a bookmark?

Long-tap a bookmark and select Remove.

Fix mobile slowness, crashing, error messages and other problems

How do I fix Swype text input?

You can adjust the Swype in your Android settings under the Menu > Settings > Language & keyboard > Swype. Consider disabling Autospacing if you are having issues with extra spaces.

Why is Firefox for Android slow?

Check your network connection or try to reconnect to WiFi. You might also disable unneeded add-ons and disable Flash for a faster browsing experience.