Getting started with the Firefox for Android tablet browser

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This article describes how to get started with the Firefox for Android tablet browser.

Note: This applies to the latest Firefox Release version which can be downloaded from mozilla.org/firefox.

Note: Tablets with screens smaller than 10" do not use the tablet browser by default, see Get started with Firefox for Android for how to use Firefox on your Kindle Fire, Samsung Galaxy Tab 7" or HTC Flyer.

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. To hide the tabs in landscape mode, swipe left across the black tab margin.
  • 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 menu2

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?

Installing the add-on "Phony" will let you disguise Firefox for Mobile as a desktop browser so websites will serve you the desktop version of their pages.

  1. Tap the Menu button in the upper-right corner of the screen and select Add-ons to open the Add-ons screen.
  2. Tap in the Add-ons search box and type "Phony" to search for the add-on.
  3. Tap the Phony listing to expand it and select Add to Firefox. A progress bar appears while the add-on is being downloaded and installed. When it's done, Phony should appear in your list of add-ons at the top of the screen.
    phony tablet
  4. Next, tap the Preferences menu item at the top left to switch to the Preferences screen.
  5. Finally, tab the Default button in the User Agent row and select Desktop Firefox as your new user agent. Now websites appear as just as they do on your desktop!
    Phony User Agent

Troubleshooting User Agent Setup

  • 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?

The Personas add-on makes it easy to customize the look of Firefox.

  1. Tap the Menu button in the upper-right corner of the screen and select Add-ons to open the Add-ons screen.
  2. Tap in the Add-ons search box and type "Personas" to search for the add-on.
  3. Tap the Personas listing to expand it and select Add to Firefox. A progress bar appears while the add-on is being downloaded and installed. When it's done, a Restart button will appear.
    Install Personas
  4. Tap Restart to complete the installation.
  5. Once Firefox restarts, go to getpersonas.com
  6. Tap a Persona to try it out and then tap Wear this Persona to skin your browser with the new look.Mobile Persona

Need more help?

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.