Getting started with the Firefox for Android tablet browser

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  • Revision id: 52004
  • Created:
  • Creator: Roland Tanglao
  • Comment: small update to make it clear that 7" tablets get the tablet user experience
  • Reviewed: Yes
  • Reviewed:
  • Reviewed by: rtanglao
  • Is approved? Yes
  • Is current revision? No
  • Ready for localization: No
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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 version which can be downloaded from mozilla.org/mobile.

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

Note: Tablets with screens smaller than 7" do not use the tablet browser by default. For those tablets including phablets like the Samsung Galaxy Note I, II and III, see Get started with Firefox for Android.

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.

tablet_ui

tablet_m15

The following image shows the Firefox mobile tablet interface in portrait mode.

tablet_portrait

tablet_portrait_small_m15

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

tablet_menu_m15

  • 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.
  • Reload page - Tap to reload the page.
  • 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

  • Main Menu - Tap to access Share, Save as PDF, Find in Page, Request Desktop Site, Clear Site Settings, Add-ons, Downloads, Settings, and Quit.

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 watch videos on my tablet?

See How do I watch Flash videos with Firefox for Android?.

How do I find my bookmarks and history?

  1. Tap the Location Bar.
    Three buttons appear for Bookmarks, History and Desktop.
  1. Open the Awesome Screen by tapping in the Title bar at the top of any page or by tapping the plus + on the Tab.
  • Tap the Bookmarks tab to view your Bookmarks.
  • Tap the History tab to go to the list of your recently viewed sites.

How do I clear the recent history on my tablet?

The Clear Mobile History add-on adds a Clear History button to your Preferences.

  1. Tap the Main 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 "Clear Mobile History" to search for the add-on.
  3. Tap the Clear Mobile History 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, Clear Mobile History should appear in your list of add-ons at the top of the screen.
  4. 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.
    clear history
  1. Tap Menu > Settings > Clear private data.
  2. Select the Browsing and download history check box.
  3. Tap Clear data.

A notification appears confirming deletion of your data.

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

  1. 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.
    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 Main 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.
  1. Tap Menu > Settings > Request Desktop Site.

The page reloads as it would appear on your desktop.

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 Main 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.