Firefox automatically updates itself. This article explains how the update process works and how to manually check for updates.

Note: If you use your Linux distribution's packaged version of Firefox, you will need wait for an updated package to be released to its package repository. This article only applies if you installed Firefox manually (without using your distribution's package manager).

How do automatic updates work?

By default, Firefox is configured to automatically check for updates.

When an update is available, the Software Update dialog is automatically displayed. It contains a list of updates for Firefox components that are installed on your system. To begin updating your software, click OK. The new versions of any selected updates are downloaded and installed.
When the install process is complete, you must restart Firefox. To close Firefox and re-open it, click Done.
After Firefox restarts, all updated versions of Firefox components are available.

Updates will be downloaded in the background and installed when you restart Firefox.
If an update has been waiting to be installed for more than 24 hours, you'll see a notification with the option to restart Firefox and install the update.

Note: Firefox does not automatically update plugins (like Adobe Flash, Quicktime or Java). Update your plugins at Mozilla's plugin check page.

How do I manually check for updates?

At any time, you can check for updates.

At the top of the Firefox window click the Firefox button, go over to the Help menu and select About Firefox. For Windows XP: Go to the Help menu and select About Firefox.On the menu bar click the Firefox menu and select About Firefox.At the top of the Firefox window click the Help menu and select About Firefox.
The About Firefox window will open and Firefox will begin checking for updates. If updates are available, they will begin downloading automatically. If Firefox is already up to date, just close the About Firefox window.
When the updates are downloaded and ready to be installed, click Apply Update. Firefox will be restarted and the updates will be installed.

At the top of the Firefox window click the Help menu and select Check for Updates....On the menu bar click the Help menu and select Check for Updates.... The Software Update window will open.
- If Check for Updates... is grayed out, see Check for Updates is disabled.
If major updates are available, click Get the New Version to begin the update process.
- If no updates are available, click FinishDone to close the window.
When the updates are ready to install, you must restart Firefox. To restart and install the updates, click Restart Firefox.

How do I configure update options?

You can configure Firefox to automatically check for updates or to disable automatic updating.

In the Menu bar at the top of the screen, click Firefox and then select Preferences or Settings, depending on your macOS version.Click the menu button and select Settings.
Click the Advanced panel.
Click the Update tab. The auto-update options are displayed.
Update options:
- Automatically check for updates to: Select the things you want Firefox to check. It can check for updates to the Firefox application, any installed add-ons (except for plugins — use the plugin check page to update them) and search engines.
  - To disable automatic checking for updates, deselect all three options.
    If you deselect the Firefox option, you will not receive critical security updates that may keep you safe online unless you frequently do a manual check for updates.
- When updates to Firefox are found: Choose how you want Firefox to manage any found updates.
  - Ask me what I want to do: Firefox lets you choose if you want to download and install updates. If you do not choose to do so, you can download them at a later time.
  - Automatically download and install the update: Firefox automatically downloads and installs found updates. If you wish to be prompted if the downloads will disable any installed add-ons, select that option.
- To review the history of updates that have been downloaded and installed, click Show Update History.
Close the Settings page. Any changes you've made will automatically be saved.