Firefox Community Forum

Over the past few updates, I’ve noticed an issue with Firefox where it no longer restores my previous session when reopening the browser.

I normally keep four tabs pinned and about five additional tabs open for browsing and work. In the past, I could simply click the X to close Firefox, and when I reopened it, all my tabs that are pinned and unpinned would automatically come back. Recently, this stopped happening. Now, if I close Firefox, it opens with a fresh window instead of restoring my previous tabs.

I’ve already checked the setting under General/Startup, and Open previous windows and tabs is enabled. Because of this issue, I avoid closing Firefox entirely, since rebuilding all my tabs each time has become a hassle.

Is there a way to fix this? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks :)

How do I remove the pop up blocker on Firefox for certain websites? I am doing an online course and each introduction for each chapter has a short video that pops up but as soon as that happens Firefox sends a "Critical error" message then the video stops so I thinks that's happening because pop up blocker is turned on and I just dont know how to turn pop up blocker off for specific websites only like this one I am using for my study course. How can I turn the pop up blocker just for this one website so that this doesn't keep happening?

the only reason ive been using firefox is because its one of the few browsers that doesnt use AI. now this? anthony enzor-demeo what in the hell is wrong with you? no one wants this, stop pushing AI in a browser we all use SPECIFICALLY to avoid other browsers' (like chrome) sell out. i dont care if there's opt out I don't want this to be an option in the first place, and I know a lot of others feel the same.

i am not the kind of person who has brand loyalty, and if you continue with this I'll find something else to use.

Is there any way to disable the ai summary feature on the mobile version of Firefox? I despise it , and if Firefox continues adding ai features, I’ll just uninstall

When right-clicking on the Firefox icon in the Windows task bar one has the option to "pin" items by hovering over an entry in the "frequent" list and clicking on the little pin needle icon (with the hover text "Pin to this list").

How can I pin items that are not in the frequent list? I have tried for weeks to make an important page a frequent one by making sure to visit it daily but it never makes it to the list.

1. 1. 1. Setting Up Grok as an AI Chatbot in the Firefox Sidebar

Mozilla Firefox includes an experimental-turned-standard feature (introduced around version 131 and stabilized by version 133+) that allows users to integrate AI chatbots directly into the browser's sidebar for quick access while browsing. This provides a persistent chat interface without needing to switch tabs constantly. Natively, Firefox supports providers like ChatGPT (OpenAI), Gemini (Google), Claude (Anthropic), Le Chat (Mistral), and others through a dropdown selector. However, Grok (from xAI) is not included in the official list and must be added manually as a custom provider.

The screenshot you provided shows the standard Firefox "Proceed with Caution" warning when accessing `about:config` (the advanced preferences page), alongside an open tab at `https://grok.com/` displaying the SuperGrok interface. This strongly indicates the setup process for adding Grok via a custom configuration tweak, which loads the full Grok web app into the sidebar (essentially embedding `grok.com` in a framed view).

1. 1. 1. 1. Requirements and Context

- **Firefox Version**: Version 133 or later (as of early 2026, most users will have a newer version; check via Menu > Help > About Firefox). - **Account Needs**: You'll need an xAI/Grok account (free or SuperGrok/Premium+ subscription) for full access. Logging in within the sidebar will persist if cookies are allowed. - **Limitations**:

 - Only **one** chatbot can be active in the sidebar at a time.
 - Custom providers like Grok load the full web version, so interactions send data directly to xAI (no Mozilla intermediation, preserving Grok's native features like image generation, voice mode if available, or real-time search).
 - Performance may vary; the sidebar uses an embedded view, which could consume more resources than native integrations.
 - Privacy Implications: All queries go straight to the provider's servers. Review xAI's terms for data handling.
 - Persistence: The setting generally survives restarts, but closing/reopening the sidebar or browser resets might occasionally require re-login.

- **Nuances and Edge Cases**:

 - If you're on a free Grok plan, usage quotas apply (higher with SuperGrok).
 - Features like page summarization (highlight text > right-click > AI shortcuts) work if Grok supports context from the main tab.
 - Mobile Firefox does not support this sidebar feature.
 - If the sidebar doesn't appear after setup, ensure it's enabled in settings.

1. 1. 1. 1. Step-by-Step Setup Instructions

1. **Update Firefox (Recommended)**:

  - Go to Menu (three lines) > Help > About Firefox.
  - It will check for updates automatically; install any available.

2. **Access Advanced Preferences**:

  - In the address bar, type `about:config` and press Enter.
  - You'll see the "Proceed with Caution" warning (matching your screenshot).
  - Check the box for "Warn me when I attempt to access these preferences" if desired, then click **Accept the Risk and Continue**.

3. **Configure the Custom Provider for Grok**:

  - In the search bar at the top, type `browser.ml.chat.provider`.
  - If the preference exists, double-click it.
  - If it doesn't exist, click the "+" button to create a new string preference named `browser.ml.chat.provider`.
  - Set the value to: `https://grok.com/` (or `https://grok.x.ai/`—both typically work, but `grok.com` aligns with your screenshot and SuperGrok branding).
  - Click the checkmark or press Enter to save.

4. **Enable and Open the Sidebar**:

  - Go to Menu > Settings (or Preferences) > General tab.
  - Scroll to "Browser Layout" section.
  - Check **Show sidebar** if not already enabled.
  - Close settings.
  - Click the **Sidebar icon** in the toolbar (it looks like a panel; if missing, right-click toolbar > Customize Toolbar > drag it in).
  - In the sidebar, look for the **sparkle/AI chatbot icon** (or it may auto-load the chat interface).

5. **Access and Use Grok**:

  - The sidebar should now load Grok directly.
  - Log in to your xAI account if prompted (for full features like Grok 4 access or higher quotas).
  - Start chatting via the "Ask Grok" input at the bottom.
  - Optional shortcuts: Highlight text on a page > right-click > options like "Summarize," "Explain," etc. (Grok will process based on context).
  - To switch back to a native provider later: Return to `about:config`, clear or change the `browser.ml.chat.provider` value, then select from the dropdown in the sidebar.

1. 1. 1. 1. Troubleshooting and Alternatives

- **If Grok Doesn't Load**:

 - Clear the preference value and restart Firefox.
 - Ensure no extensions block iframes or cookies.
 - Try alternative URLs like `https://x.com/i/grok` if issues persist.

- **Reverting Changes**:

 - Set `browser.ml.chat.provider` to blank, or delete the preference.
 - Native options will reappear in the selector.

- **Alternatives if Native Setup Fails**:

 - **Extensions**: Search Firefox Add-ons for "Grok Sidebar" or similar (e.g., dedicated Grok integrations exist, often free).
 - **PWA Installation**: Visit `grok.com`, click the install icon in the address bar to add as a standalone app window.
 - **Other Browsers**: Edge/Chrome have similar sidebar AI features (e.g., Copilot or extensions) with easier Grok support.

- **Implications for Daily Use**:

 - Great for multitasking (e.g., ask Grok about a webpage without leaving it).
 - Enhances productivity but increases browser resource use.
 - As an experimental feature origin, it may evolve—Mozilla could add official Grok support in future updates.

This method provides the most integrated experience matching your screenshot. If you encounter issues or need clarification on a step, provide more details!

Is there a way to turn off the “shake for AI summary” function on IOS? It doesn’t add anything to my experience, and more often than not, I end up accidentally shaking my phone and getting a summary I didn’t ask for.

If there’s a way to completely turn off the AI features, i’d like that too I’d prefer if my browser didn’t summarize the websites I visit in a way that can be inaccurate or lie to me.

Mozilla, please just remove these features entirely. If we want AI, we can go to ChatGPT or another website, I just don’t want it added into everything I use all of a sudden.

Thanks in advance for any help. :)

I often use the key combination Ctrl+Alt+X in Google Docs when on different devices but it doesn't function properly when instead it brings up the AI sidebar gadget. Removing the sidebar button doesn't really help and it's annoying. So how exactly do I turn off the key combination for the sidebar?

When right-clicking on the Firefox icon in the Windows task bar one can pin entries, which then appear in the "Pinned" section of that menu. The description is taken from the title of the website at that point in time.

I would like to rename one such entry (i.e. change the description). How can I do this? The context menu only contains the options "Open" and "Unpin from this list".

I am seriously concerned about the upcoming use of AI in Mozilla Firefox. The only reason I use Firefox is because it is one of the few remaining widely compatible browsers that allow me to switch off any AI features. Generative AI is needlessly wasteful and absolutely pointless. Is there any way to prevent this from being forcibly added to Firefox?

I operate with several to many windows open (and many tabs). Firefox (Mac) used to list the open Windows in the Window menu in the order I originally created/opened each window. A while back, FF started sorting – and re-sorting! – the list of open windows alphabetically according to the Tab that is currently active in each Window. This means that the window appears in different places in the Window menu list according to the name of the Tab. I DO NOT LIKE THAT because the it makes the Window hard to find.

Is there any way to set this to operate the way it used to - keeping the Window list in the order first opened, regardless of which Tab is open?

On a brand new profile for Firefox without configuration of any kind I get an AI chatbot in the sidebar and AI tabs suggestions.

Why?

Is Mozilla looking to destroy decades of good will?

Anything like this should be something you have to opt-in to see, not try and opt-out of.

If privacy is a true concern then any of that stuff should be an extension, and not something on by default.

I really don't understand why Mozilla is doing this.

I use Firefox because it has less AI bull than other browsers, and even then I still have to use config to get rid of all the stuff you've already added. It's irritating to have to do it. Stop adding more and remove the garbage AI stuff you've already added. Thanks

Mozilla gave assurances that AI features would be opt-in. The most recent update automatically turned AI features ON and I had to open settings to block them. This is opt-out, not opt-in. I find this betrayal of my trust as a longtime user disturbing.

I am uncomfortable with the push for unnecessary ai content and features on firefox and if they are added without easy ways to remove or disable I will be switching to a different browser

How do I turn off the “suggest AI summary” thing? The popup is annoying the hell out of me while I’m reading articles. I’m not going to use the AI summary feature so I’d like it to just stop. I use the Firefox application on iOS.