Getting started with the Firefox for Android tablet browser

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  • Revision id: 18693
  • Created:
  • Creator: mluna
  • Comment: WIP draft number 3
  • Reviewed: No
  • Ready for localization: No
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_TOC_

Installation

To install the Firefox for Android tablet browser, refer to the following articles:

Configuration: preferences, add-on customizations, syncing with your other computers

Why can't I watch animated or video Flash content on my tablet?

Flash is not yet supported on Firefox for Android, refer to the following article: Firefox for Mobile doesn't support Flash

How do I clear the recent history on my tablet?

  1. To clear items from the All Pages and History, tap the menu button in the upper-right of the screen and select Preferences. Scroll down and tap the Clear History button to remove all results from the All Pages and History screens.

{Image:clear history tablet}

How do I get the text to reformat when I zoom?

  1. To reformat text on zoom, tap the menu button in the upper-right of the screen and select Preferences. Scroll down and tap the Reformat text on zoom checkbox.

{Image:reformat text tablet}

How do I view the Desktop version of web pages

  1. Tap the menu button in the upper-right corner of the screen and select Preferences.
    The Preferences menu appears. In the upper-left you will see three menu items, the third in the list is called 'Add-ons' and has a puzzle-piece icon.
  2. Click the Add-ons menu item.
    The Menu item will appear blue and the Add-ons screen will appear with a 'Your Add-ons' section and a 'Get Add-ons' section.
  3. Tap the search box that is in the Get Add-ons section of the Add-ons screen.
    You will see a blinking cursor in the white search box and the keyboard should appear.
  4. Type the word 'Phony' into the search box using the keyboard at the bottom of the screen.
    Phony 2.02 should appear just below the search box with an icon that looks like a face with glasses, nose, and mustache.
  5. Tap on the Phony listing and tap the Add to Firefox button on the lower right.
    A blue progress bar appears showing that the Phony add-on is being downloaded and installed. When it completes the installation, Phony should appear in the Your Add-ons section at the top of the screen.
  6. Tap the Preferences menu item at the top left of the of the Add-ons screen.
    The Preferences screen appears on the right.
  7. Tap the Default button in the User Agent row and select Desktop Firefox.

Troubleshooting

  • The menus and search bar in Firefox at the top, right, and left can appear and disappear if you swipe up, left, or right. So, try swiping to find them if they aren't viewable.
  • If you installed Phony but you don't see the User Agent item on the Preferences list, try going back to the Add-ons menu, tap the Phony Add-on and then tap Disable and then tap Enable. Then, go back to the Preferences to see if you have the User Agent item.

How do I customize my tablet browser look and feel with personas?

  1. Tap the menu button in the upper-right corner of the screen and select Preferences.
    The Preferences menu appears. In the upper-left you will see three menu items, the third in the list is called 'Add-ons' and has a puzzle-piece icon.
  2. Click the Add-ons menu item.
    The Menu item will appear blue and the Add-ons screen will appear with a 'Your Add-ons' section and a 'Get Add-ons' section.
  3. Tap the search box that is in the Get Add-ons section of the Add-ons screen.
    You will see a blinking cursor in the white search box and the keyboard should appear.
  4. Type the word 'Personas' into the search box using the keyboard at the bottom of the screen.
    Personas should appear just below the search box with cartoon fox icon.
  5. Tap on the Personas listing and tap the Add to Firefox button on the lower right.
    A blue progress bar appears showing that the Phony add-on is being downloaded and installed. When it completes the installation, a Restart button appears.
  6. Tap Restart to complete the Personas for Mobile installation.
  7. Tap the Search bar when Firefox restarts, type getpersonas.com and tap enter.
    The Personas for Firefox web site appears.
  8. Tap a persona to try it out and then tap Wear this Persona to skin your browser with the new look.



Using the browser: searching, finding, bookmarking favorites, viewing history