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Frequently asked questions - Firefox add-on technology is modernizing

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Here are some frequently asked questions about the transition to new add-on technology in Firefox.
Big changes are coming to add-ons in Firefox 57 (aka Firefox Quantum). Check out these frequently asked questions for more information.

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Here are some frequently asked questions about the transition to [[Firefox add-on technology is modernizing | new add-on technology]] in Firefox: =Can you recommend replacements for my legacy extensions?= Yes! Use the [https://mozilla.github.io/extension-finder/ extension finder utility] to look up the extension you would like to replace and discover recommended replacements. Keep in mind that many developers are in the process of updating to the [[Firefox add-on technology is modernizing| new technology]]. Some will be ready by the time Firefox 57 is released (when legacy add-ons will be disabled), and some will be updated after. If you’re not necessarily looking for replacements for your legacy add-ons, but want to browse what’s available, go to [https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/search/?tag=firefox57 addons.mozilla.org] and try out extensions labeled with “Compatible with Firefox 57+”. Our [https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/extensions/?sort=featured featured collection] is a great place to start! =There aren’t any recommended replacements for one of my legacy extensions. What now?= *If you don’t find a suitable replacement, please head over to our [https://discourse.mozilla.org/t/favorite-webextensions/17087 forum] to ask the community for suggestions. *If you like digging into details and want to know where developers are with their migrations, check out arewewebextensionsyet.com. =If I see the “legacy” label, does that mean my extension will break?= It depends on the extension. In some cases, developers will need to work up to the deadline to make their extensions compatible by the [https://wiki.mozilla.org/RapidRelease/Calendar Firefox 57] release on November 14, 2017. Other extensions may become compatible after the deadline has passed. In these cases, the extension will automatically update when the compatible version becomes available. However, there are some extensions that will break permanently following the release of [https://wiki.mozilla.org/RapidRelease/Calendar Firefox 57]. You can check the migration status of your legacy extension by visiting arewewebextensionsyet.com or asking about it on our [https://discourse.mozilla.org/t/favorite-webextensions/17087 forum]. =How can I find extensions that are compatible with Firefox 57 and beyond?= You can search [https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/search/?tag=firefox57 addons.mozilla.org] (AMO) for compatible extensions by using the search term “Firefox 57.” All compatible extensions will be labeled “Compatible with Firefox 57+.” Our [https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/extensions/?sort=featured featured collection] also includes great extensions that will be compatible beyond Firefox 57. =Why haven't some of the most popular tab extensions migrated?= While there are a number WebExtension APIs currently available for tabs, there are still more in development. In some cases, legacy tab extensions cannot migrate by the [https://wiki.mozilla.org/RapidRelease/Calendar Firefox 57 release] because they lack the necessary APIs to create feature parity. However, as more APIs become available over time, we should see the emergence of more and varied tab extensions. Please know that tab APIs are regarded as a very high priority for the add-on team. In the meantime, you can explore compatible tab extensions [https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/search/?tag=firefox57&atype=1&cat=93&page= here]. =Will my themes break with Firefox 57?= If you are using a [https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/themes/ Lightweight Theme], you should not experience any disruption. If you are using a [https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/complete-themes/ Complete Theme], it will be disabled in Firefox 57 and will no longer work. If you use a dark complete theme, the Dark Theme option in the Add-on Manager might be a good option for you. Go to the Themes tab in about:addons and give it a try. We are making improvements to themes in the coming months, so look for themes with additional functionality beyond an image overlay in future releases.
__TOC__ =What is a legacy extension?= Extensions built using frameworks that are not compatible with [https://wiki.mozilla.org/RapidRelease/Calendar Firefox 57] (such as SDK or XUL) are considered “legacy” extensions. =How can I tell if I have any legacy extensions installed?= To see if you have incompatible extensions installed, go to the Add-on Manager (''Tools menu > Add-ons'', or type “''about:addons''” in a new tab. If you have a legacy extension, you will see a note at the top of your screen like this: [[Image:Legacy extension warning]] Click on the link “Show legacy extensions” to see a list of legacy extensions installed in your browser. {for fx57} Click on “Find a Replacement” next to each legacy extension for a recommended alternative. You can [https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2017/10/26/helping-find-compatible-extensions/ read more] about this feature in our blog. {/for} {for not fx57} =If I see the “legacy” label, does that mean my extension will break when I upgrade to 57?= Yes, add-ons labled "legacy" will most likely not work when you upgrade. However, the majority of the most popular Firefox extensions are compatible with Firefox 57. In some cases, developers will need to work up to the deadline to make their extensions compatible by the release date on November 14, 2017. Other extensions may become compatible after the deadline has passed. In these cases, the extension will automatically update when the compatible version becomes available. {/for} {for fx57} =If I see the "legacy" label, does that mean my extension is broken?= Yes, extensions labeled "legacy" will not work with Firefox 57. In some cases, developers will need to continue working after the release date on November 14, 2017 to make their extensions compatible. In these cases, the extension will automatically update when the compatible version becomes available. {/for} =Can you recommend replacements for my legacy extensions?= {for not fx57} Yes! Use the [https://mozilla.github.io/extension-finder/ extension finder utility] to look up the extension you would like to replace and discover recommended replacements. You can also browse our [https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/extensions/?sort=featured featured collection] on [https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/search/?tag=firefox57 addons.mozilla.org] (AMO) for compatible extensions, or search using the tag “Firefox 57,” to discover compatible extensions. {/for} {for fx57} Yes! Go to the Add-ons Manager (''Tools menu > Add-ons'', or type ''about:addons'' into a new tab) and select Legacy Extensions. Click on “Find a Replacement” next to each legacy extension for a recommended alternative. You can read more about this feature in our blog. You can also use the [https://mozilla.github.io/extension-finder/ extension finder utility] to look up the extension you would like to replace and discover recommended replacements. Compatible extensions can also be found on [https://addons.mozilla.org addons.mozilla.org]. We recommend trying the [https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/extensions/?sort=featured featured collection]. {/for} =There aren’t any recommended replacements for one of my legacy extensions. What now?= If you don’t find a suitable replacement, please head over to our [https://discourse.mozilla.org/t/favorite-webextensions/17087 forum] to ask the community for suggestions. {for not fx57} =How can I find extensions that are compatible with Firefox 57 and beyond?= You can search [https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/search/?tag=firefox57 addons.mozilla.org] for compatible extensions by using the search term “Firefox 57.” Our [https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/search/?featured=true&type=extension featured collection] also includes great extensions that will be compatible beyond Firefox 57. {/for} =Why haven't some of the most popular tab extensions migrated?= While there are a number WebExtension APIs currently available for tabs, there are still more in development. In some cases, legacy tab extensions cannot migrate by the [https://wiki.mozilla.org/RapidRelease/Calendar Firefox 57 release] because they lack the necessary APIs to create feature parity. However, as more APIs become available over time, we should see the emergence of more and varied tab extensions. You can learn more about our plans for future tabs APIs on the [https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2017/11/03/keeping-tabs-tab-api/ Add-ons Blog] and explore compatible tab extensions [https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/search/?q=tabs&type=extension here]. {for not fx57} =Will my themes break with Firefox 57?= If you are using a [https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/themes/ Lightweight Theme], you should not experience any disruption. If you are using a [https://addons.mozilla.org//firefox/complete-themes/ Complete Theme], it will be disabled in Firefox 57 and will no longer work. If you use a dark complete theme, the Dark Theme option in the Add-on Manager might be a good option for you. Go to the Themes tab in about:addons and give it a try. We are making improvements to themes in the coming months, so look for themes with additional functionality beyond an image overlay in future releases. {/for} {for fx57} =What happened to my complete theme?= Complete themes do not work with Firefox 57 and are disabled. If you use a dark complete theme, the Dark Theme option in the Add-on Manager might be a good option for you. Go to the Themes tab in ''about:addons'' and give it a try. We are making improvements to themes in the coming months, so look for themes with additional functionality beyond an image overlay in future releases. {/for}

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