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.
Table of Contents
- 1 How do I know if my device is supported?
- 2 Where are the tablet navigation controls?
- 3 Why can't I watch animated or video Flash content on my tablet?
- 4 How do I find my bookmarks and history?
- 5 How do I clear the recent history on my tablet?
- 6 How do I get the text to reformat when I zoom?
- 7 How do I view the Desktop version of web pages?
- 8 How do I customize my tablet browser look and feel with Personas?
- 9 Need more help?
How do I know if my device is supported?
To install the Firefox for Android tablet browser, refer to the following articles:
The following image shows the Firefox mobile tablet interface in landscape mode.
The following image shows the Firefox mobile tablet interface in portrait mode.
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:
- 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.
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.
How do I find my bookmarks and history?
- 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 tabs. See Use Sync to share your Firefox bookmarks, passwords and more with Firefox for mobile
How do I clear the recent history on my tablet?
The Clear Mobile History add-on adds a
button to your Preferences.- Tap the button in the upper-right corner of the screen and select to open the Add-ons screen.
- Tap in the Add-ons search box and type "Clear Mobile History" to search for the add-on.
- Tap the Clear Mobile History listing to expand it and select
. A progress bar appears while the add-on is being downloaded and installed. When it's done, Clear Mobile History should appear in your list of add-ons at the top of the screen. - To clear items from the All Pages and History, tap the Main 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.
How do I get the text to reformat when I zoom?
- To reformat text on zoom, tap the Main Menu button in the upper-right of the screen and select Preferences. Scroll down and tap the Reformat text on zoom checkbox.
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.
- Tap the button in the upper-right corner of the screen and select to open the Add-ons screen.
- Tap in the Add-ons search box and type "Phony" to search for the add-on.
- Tap the Phony listing to expand it and select
. 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. - Next, tap the menu item at the top left to switch to the Preferences screen.
- Finally, tab the
button in the User Agent row and select as your new user agent. Now websites appear as just as they do on your desktop!
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.
- Tap the button in the upper-right corner of the screen and select to open the Add-ons screen.
- Tap in the Add-ons search box and type "Personas" to search for the add-on.
- Tap the Personas listing to expand it and select
. A progress bar appears while the add-on is being downloaded and installed. When it's done, a button will appear. - Tap Restart to complete the installation.
- Once Firefox restarts, go to getpersonas.com
- Tap a Persona to try it out and then tap to skin your browser with the new look.
Need more help?
Refer to the following articles for additional how-to instructions for mobile features.
- How do I copy and paste text on Android?
- Change the default language of Firefox for Android
- Add, delete and view bookmarked webpages in Firefox for Android
- Using Master Password on Firefox for Android
- How do I use Do-not-track on Firefox for Android?
- How does Firefox for Android use the permissions it requests?
- Find and install extensions on Firefox for Android