Compare Revisions
Install Firefox on Linux
Revision 194297:
Revision 194297 by Solitude on
Revision 198015:
Revision 198015 by heyjoni on
Keywords:
ubuntu opensuse
ubuntu opensuse
Search results summary:
This article will show you how to install Firefox on Linux.
This article will show you how to install Firefox on Linux.
Content:
Getting Firefox installed on your computer is your first step to using it. This article will show you how to install Firefox on Linux. For other operating systems, see [[Installing Firefox on Windows]] and [[Installing Firefox on Mac]].
Many Linux distributions include Firefox by default, and most have a package management system - a preferred way to install Firefox. Package management system will:
* Ensure that you have all the required libraries
* Install Firefox optimally for your distribution
* Create shortcuts to launch Firefox
* Make Firefox available to all users of your computer
* Make removing Firefox work the same as removing any other application
Package management system has downsides:
* It may not give you the latest Firefox version
* It may give you a version without Firefox branding
= Installing from a package manager =
To install Firefox using the package manager, please refer to your Linux distribution's documentation.
= Installing outside of a package manager =
Check your distribution’s support website for complete instructions on installing Firefox outside the package manager. For example:
* [https://help.ubuntu.com/community/FirefoxNewVersion Installing Firefox on Ubuntu]
* [http://en.opensuse.org/Firefox Installing Firefox on OpenSuse]
{note}
* '''Before you install Firefox''', make sure that your computer has the ''' [http://www.mozilla.org/firefox/system-requirements.html required libraries]''' installed. Missing libraries will cause Firefox to be inoperable.
* The installation file provided by Mozilla in '''.tar.bz2''' format has pre-compiled binary files as opposed to sources. There is no need to compile the program from the source: simply unpack and run the binaries.
* The following instructions will install Firefox into your home directory. '''Only the current user''' will be able to '''run it'''.{/note}
# Download Firefox from the [https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/linux/?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=support.mozilla.org Firefox download page] to your home directory.
# Open a '''Terminal''' and go to your home directory: <code>cd ~</code>
# Extract the contents of the downloaded file: <code>tar xjf firefox-*.tar.bz2</code>
# Close Firefox if it's open.
# To start Firefox, run the {filepath firefox} script in the {filepath firefox} folder: <code>~/firefox/firefox</code>
Firefox should now start. You can then create an icon on your desktop to run this command.
== libstdc++5 error ==
As noted above, you need to install the [http://www.mozilla.org/firefox/system-requirements.html required libraries] for Firefox to work. Many distributions don't include libstdc++5 by default.
== "firefox not installed" message or wrong version of Firefox starts ==
If Firefox is installed following the instructions given above, it must be started (in a '''Terminal''' or in a launcher on the Desktop, for example) using the command: <code>~/firefox/firefox</code>
If you try to start Firefox in a '''Terminal''' with the command: <code>firefox</code>, it will either start the package-manager-installed version of Firefox or will tell you the program is not installed.
Getting Firefox installed on your computer is your first step to using it. This article will show you how to install Firefox on Linux. For other operating systems, see [[Installing Firefox on Windows]] and [[Installing Firefox on Mac]].
Many Linux distributions include Firefox by default while most have a package management system - a preferred way to install Firefox. Package management system will:
* Ensure that you have all the required libraries
* Install Firefox optimally for your distribution
* Create shortcuts to launch Firefox
* Make Firefox available to all users of your computer
* Make removing Firefox work the same as removing any other application
Package management system has downsides:
* It may not give you the latest Firefox version
* It may give you a version without Firefox branding
You can also install Firefox through the Flatpak option.
=Installing from Flatpak=
Visit [https://flathub.org/apps/details/org.mozilla.firefox Firefox Flathub page] and click the {button Install} button.
= Installing from a package manager =
To install Firefox using the package manager, please refer to your Linux distribution's documentation.
= Installing outside of a package manager =
Check your distribution’s support website for complete instructions on installing Firefox outside the package manager. For example:
* [https://help.ubuntu.com/community/FirefoxNewVersion Installing Firefox on Ubuntu]
* [http://en.opensuse.org/Firefox Installing Firefox on OpenSuse]
{note}
* '''Before you install Firefox''', make sure that your computer has the ''' [http://www.mozilla.org/firefox/system-requirements.html required libraries]''' installed. Missing libraries will cause Firefox to be inoperable.
* The installation file provided by Mozilla in '''.tar.bz2''' format has pre-compiled binary files as opposed to sources. There is no need to compile the program from the source: simply unpack and run the binaries.
* The following instructions will install Firefox into your home directory. '''Only the current user''' will be able to '''run it'''.{/note}
# Download Firefox from the [https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/linux/?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=support.mozilla.org Firefox download page] to your home directory.
# Open a '''Terminal''' and go to your home directory: <code>cd ~</code>
# Extract the contents of the downloaded file: <code>tar xjf firefox-*.tar.bz2</code>
# Close Firefox if it's open.
# To start Firefox, run the {filepath firefox} script in the {filepath firefox} folder: <code>~/firefox/firefox</code>
Firefox should now start. You can then create an icon on your desktop to run this command.
== libstdc++5 error ==
As noted above, you need to install the [http://www.mozilla.org/firefox/system-requirements.html required libraries] for Firefox to work. Many distributions don't include libstdc++5 by default.
== "firefox not installed" message or wrong version of Firefox starts ==
If Firefox is installed following the instructions given above, it must be started (in a '''Terminal''' or in a launcher on the Desktop, for example) using the command: <code>~/firefox/firefox</code>
If you try to start Firefox in a '''Terminal''' with the command: <code>firefox</code>, it will either start the package-manager-installed version of Firefox or will tell you the program is not installed.