Firefox for Android Community Forum

On the most recent update (7/14/2025), my basic Firefox settings were apparently wiped without any notice. To be clear, other things like my bookmarks were not lost, and my extensions were still installed at least. I previously had Firefox setup to not show me any content when I start it, just a blank page. I also had history saving disabled by default (ie privacy mode). After the update, you started showing me a page that wasn't blank and instead had suggestions on it. Also, the history was being saved from that point on. If I wasn't somewhat tech savvy, I might not have noticed the second change, as there was no warning from Firefox that my settings would be reverted with the update. I eventually figured out how to restore the behavior I had previously with this new version, but it took quite a bit more fiddling than previously to get history saving to be disabled by default when starting Firefox. I do appreciate the addition of fingerprint auth to switch to the app now as an option, but over all this seems like a predatory thing to do to users. I was asked to post here by a developer response to my review on Google Play in which I reported these issues (though much more briefly due to the character limit). I do understand that major updates/changes can require resetting configuration. However, those kinds of updates should display a warning/notice of such a change. I did look for such a notice on the "What's new" content for the update, which isn't something most people would likely even look at, but even there I did not see any indication that past settings would be lost/wiped.

Description:

A bug-shaped icon appeared on my screen after accidentally enabling a debug setting. I can’t find an option to disable it.

Steps to Reproduce:

1. Unknown (enabled by mistake). 2. Icon persists despite restarting.

Browser Version:

- Firefox Nightly 142.0a1 (Build #2016101983) - GV: 142.0a1-20250711091324 - OS: Android

Tried:

- Toggling "Remote Debugging" in Settings → Developer Tools. - Restarting the browser.

Greetings!

So every time Firefox has an update for my tablet (Samsung Galaxy Tab A8, 64GB SM-X200, Android 14, One UI 6.1) the settings always, ALWAYS reset. I have to go back in and change everything back to my preferences. I've cleared cache, restarted who knows how many times and it still happens.

I have Firefox on other devices, both Samsung and otherwise, and it doesn't happen anywhere but my tablet.

Ideas? Suggestions?

I've noticed in browsing history that a lot of tabs are private. I don't use or want private browsing, can I disable it?

I'm not sure but I think that the private tabs were opened by Google Assistant and/or Gemini (if that makes a difference).

I am stunned that FF android still doesnt allow for a custom URL as homepage.

When will this be re-implemented, seeing as it was a staple before the rewrite? Or are you simple trying to force your own rubbush homepage feature on people forevermore?