Getting started with the Firefox for Android tablet browser

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  • Creator: mluna
  • Comment: WIP draft6
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How do I know if my device is supported?

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

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

Flash is not yet supported on Firefox for Android, see Firefox for Mobile doesn't support Flash.

Where are the tablet navigation controls?

The navigation and menus are across the top of the screen, from left to right, as shown in the following screenshot: tablet controls

  • Tabs icon - Displays the number of open tabs, tap to show tabs in the sidebar.
  • Location bar - Tap the location bar to access your history and bookmarks. Or type an address or search term, then press Enter on the soft keyboard to go.
  • Bookmark site - Tap the star to add a site to your bookmarks list.
  • Main Menu - Tap to access Preferences, Add-ons, Downloads, Quit, Site Options, Save as PDF, Share Page and Find in Page, as shown in the following image.

main menu

How do I find my bookmarks and history?

  1. Tap the Location Bar.
    Three buttons appear for Bookmarks, History and Desktop.
  • Tap the Bookmarks button to view bookmarks. Long-tap a bookmark to modify or share it.
  • Tap the History button to view history. Long-tap a link to share it or open in a new tab.
  • Tap the Desktop button to set up or access synced bookmarks. See How do I sync Firefox between my desktop and mobile?

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.

clear history

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.

text reformat

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.

See Also

Refer to the following articles for additional how-to instructions for mobile features.

Note that the method for accessing items in the main menu on your tablet is different than on Firefox for mobile phones. So, you'll use the Main Menu button instead of the Gear button to complete equivalent steps.