{"id":2232,"date":"2020-08-25T09:04:12","date_gmt":"2020-08-25T08:04:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/press-uk\/?p=2232"},"modified":"2020-09-03T11:48:19","modified_gmt":"2020-09-03T10:48:19","slug":"fast-personalised-and-private-by-design-on-all-platforms-introducing-a-new-firefox-for-android-experience","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/press-uk\/2020\/08\/25\/fast-personalised-and-private-by-design-on-all-platforms-introducing-a-new-firefox-for-android-experience\/","title":{"rendered":"Fast, personalised and private by design on all platforms: introducing a new Firefox for Android experience"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2938\" src=\"http:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/press-de\/files\/2020\/08\/FF-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"512\" height=\"282\" \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Big news for mobile: as of today, Firefox for Android users in Europe will find an entirely redesigned interface and a fast and secure mobile browser that was overhauled down to the core. Users in North America will receive the update on August 27. Like we did with our \u201c<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/blog\/2017\/11\/14\/introducing-firefox-quantum\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Firefox Quantum<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d desktop browser revamp, we\u2019re calling this release \u201cFirefox Daylight\u201d as it marks a new beginning for our Android browser. Included with this new mobile experience are lots of innovative features, an improved user experience with new customisation options, and some massive changes under the hood. And we couldn\u2019t be more excited to share it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Newly Redesigned Firefox for Android\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/6npc3QXJT9Q?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><b>New Firefox features Android users will love<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We have made some very significant changes that could revolutionise mobile browsing:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Privacy &amp; security<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Firefox for Android now offers <\/span><b>Enhanced Tracking Protection, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">providing a better web experience. The revamped browsing app comes with our highest privacy protections ever \u2013 on by default. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/firefox\/firefox-mobile-enhanced-tracking-protection\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ETP<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> keeps numerous ad trackers at bay and out of the users\u2019 business, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/futurereleases\/2020\/01\/17\/a-brand-new-browsing-experience-arrives-in-firefox-for-android-nightly\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">set to \u201cStandard\u201d mode<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> right out of the box to put their needs first. Stricter protections are available to users who want to customise their privacy settings.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Additionally, we took the best parts of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/blog\/2017\/07\/20\/firefox-focus-android-hits-one-million-downloads-today-launching-three-new-user-requested-features\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Firefox Focus<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, according to its users, and applied them to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/support.mozilla.org\/en-US\/kb\/private-browsing-use-firefox-without-history\"><b>Private Mode<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Now, Private Mode is easily accessible from the Firefox for Android homescreen and users have the option to create a private browsing shortcut on their Android homescreen, which will launch the browsing app automatically in the respective mode and allow users to browse privately on-the-go.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/press-de\/files\/2020\/08\/ff-2.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"164\" height=\"346\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/press-de\/files\/2020\/08\/ff-3.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"166\" height=\"350\" \/><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enhanced Tracking Protection automatically blocks many known third-party trackers, by default, in order to improve user privacy online. Private Mode adds another layer for better privacy on device level.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><b>Appearance &amp; productivity<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With regard to appearance, we redesigned the <\/span><b>user interface<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of our Android browser completely so that it\u2019s now even cleaner, easier to handle and to make it one\u2019s own: users can set the URL bar at the bottom or top of the screen, improving the accessibility of the most important browser element especially for those with smartphones on the larger side.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Taking forever to enter a URL is therefore now a thing of the past, and so are chaotic bookmarks: <\/span><b>Collections<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> help to stay organised online, making it easy to return to frequent tasks, share across devices, personalise one\u2019s browsing experience and get more done on mobile. As a working parent, for example, Collections may come in handy when organising and curating one\u2019s online searches based on type of activity such as kids, work, recipes, and many more. Multitaskers, who want to get more done while watching videos, will also enjoy the new <\/span><b>Picture-in-Picture feature<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/press-de\/files\/2020\/08\/ff-4.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"180\" height=\"379\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-2942 alignnone\" src=\"http:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/press-de\/files\/2020\/08\/ff-5.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"181\" height=\"381\" \/><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Productivity is key on mobile. That\u2019s why the new Firefox for Android comes with an adjustable URL bar and a convenient solution to organise bookmarks: Collections.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bright or dark, day or night: Firefox for Android simplifies toggling between <\/span><b>Light and Dark Themes<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, depending on individual preferences, vision needs or environment. Those who prefer an automatic switch may also set Firefox to follow the Android setting, so that the browsing app will switch automatically to dark mode at a certain time of day.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Last but not least, we revamped the extensions experience. We know that <\/span><b>add-ons<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> play an important role for many Firefox users and we want to make sure to offer them the best possible experience when starting to use our newest Android browsing app. We\u2019re kicking it off with the top 9 add-ons for enhanced privacy and user experience from our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/firefox\/firefox-recommended-extensions\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Recommended Extensions<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> program. At the same time, we\u2019re continuously working on offering more add-on choice in the future that will seamlessly fit into Firefox for Android.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-2943\" src=\"http:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/press-de\/files\/2020\/08\/ff-6.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"243\" height=\"512\" \/><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Firefox users love add-ons! Our overhauled Android browser therefore comes with the top add-ons for enhanced privacy and user experience from our Recommended Extensions program.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<h2><b>What\u2019s new under the hood<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The improvements in Firefox for Android don\u2019t just stop here: they even go way beyond the surface as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/futurereleases\/2019\/06\/27\/reinventing-firefox-for-android-a-preview\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Firefox for Android is now based on GeckoView<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Mozilla\u2019s own mobile browser engine. What does that mean for users?<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>It\u2019s faster. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The technology we used in the past limited our capability to further improve the browser as well as our options to implement new features. Now, we\u2019re free to decide and our release cycle is flexible. Also, GeckoView makes browsing in Firefox for Android significantly speedier.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>It\u2019s built on our standards: private and secure.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> With our own engine we set the ground rules. We can decide independently which privacy and security features we want to make available for our mobile users and are entirely free to cater to our unique high standards.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>It\u2019s independent, just like our users. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unlike Edge, Brave and Chrome, Firefox for Android is not based on Blink (Google\u2019s mobile engine). Instead Firefox for Android is based on GeckoView, Mozilla\u2019s wholly-built engine. This allows us to have complete freedom of choice when it comes to implementation of standards and features. This independence lets us create a user interface that when combined with an overall faster browsing pace, enables unprecedented performance. Also, it protects our users if there are security issues with Blink as Firefox will not be affected.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>User experience is key, in product and product development<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Completely overhauling an existing product is a complex process that comes with a high potential for pitfalls. In order to avoid them and create a browsing experience users would truly appreciate, we looked closely at existing features and functionalities users love and we tested \u2013 a lot \u2013 to make sure we\u2019d keep the promise to create a whole new browsing experience on Android.<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><b> Bringing the best recent features from desktop to mobile. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Over the last couple of years we\u2019ve been very busy with continuously improving the Firefox desktop browsing experience: We <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/blog\/2018\/06\/05\/latest-firefox-test-pilot-experiments-custom-color-and-side-view\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">did<\/span><\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/blog\/2018\/06\/05\/latest-firefox-test-pilot-experiments-custom-color-and-side-view\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">experiments<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, launched new tools like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/blog\/2018\/11\/14\/firefox-monitor-launches-in-26-languages-and-adds-new-desktop-browser-feature\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Firefox Monitor<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/blog\/2019\/03\/12\/introducing-firefox-send-providing-free-file-transfers-while-keeping-your-personal-information-private\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Send<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/blog\/2019\/03\/26\/firefox-lockbox-now-on-android-keeping-your-passwords-safe\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lockwise<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and took existing features to a whole new level. This includes, amongst others, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/blog\/2019\/07\/09\/latest-firefox-release-available-today-for-ios-and-desktop\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dark Mode<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/firefox\/firefox-picture-in-picture-mode\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Picture-in-Picture feature<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the support of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/firefox\/firefox-recommended-extensions\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">extensions and add-ons<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as well as, last but not least, the core element of Firefox privacy technology: today, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/blog\/2019\/10\/22\/latest-firefox-brings-privacy-protections-front-and-center-letting-you-track-the-trackers\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enhanced Tracking Protection<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> which protects Firefox users from up to 10 billion third-party tracking cookies, fingerprinters and cryptominers <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/blog\/2019\/10\/22\/latest-firefox-brings-privacy-protections-front-and-center-letting-you-track-the-trackers\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">per day<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Feedback from users showed that they like the direction Firefox is developing into, so we worked hard to bring the same level of protection and convenience to mobile, as well. As a result, users can now experience a better Firefox mobile experience on their Android devices than ever before.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ol start=\"2\">\n<li><b> We tested extensively and emphasised direct feedback from mobile users.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Over the course of several months, earlier versions of the new Firefox for Android were available as a separate app called <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/futurereleases\/2020\/01\/17\/a-brand-new-browsing-experience-arrives-in-firefox-for-android-nightly\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Firefox Preview<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This enabled us to adequately try out new features, examine the user experience, gather feedback and implement it in accordance with the users\u2019 wishes and needs. And the result of this process is now available.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><b>Try the new Firefox for Android!<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We\u2019re proud to say that we provided Firefox for Android with an entirely new shape and foundation and we\u2019re equally happy to share the result with Android users now. Here\u2019s <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/support.mozilla.org\/en-US\/products\/mobile\/install-and-update\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">how to get our overhauled browser<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Users who have the browser downloaded to their Android devices already will receive the revamp either as an automatic or manual update, depending on their device preferences. Their usage data, such as the browsing history or bookmarks, will be migrated automatically to the new app version, which might take a few moments. Users who have set a master password will need to disable the master password in order for their logins to automatically migrate over.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New users can <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/app.adjust.com\/2uo1qc?campaign=blog&amp;adgroup=en&amp;creative=android-mobile1&amp;fallback=https%3A%2F%2Fplay.google.com%2Fstore%2Fapps%2Fdetails%3Fid%3Dorg.mozilla.firefox\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">download<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the update from the Google PlayStore as of today. It\u2019s easy to find it as \u2018Firefox for Android\u2019 through the search functionality and tapping \u2018Install\u2019 will get the process started. The new Firefox for Android supports a wide range of devices from Android 5.0+ and above.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make sure to let us know what you think about the overhauled browsing experience with Firefox for Android and stay tuned for more news in the upcoming months!<\/span><\/p>\n<p>UPDATE: We\u2019re all about moving forward. It\u2019s why we rehauled Firefox for Android with a new engine, privacy protections, and a new look. But we know history and looking back is important. So, we\u2019re bringing the \u201cback button\u201d back. We\u2019ll continue to incorporate user feedback as we add new features. So if you haven\u2019t already downloaded it, get the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/app.adjust.com\/2uo1qc?campaign=blog&amp;adgroup=en&amp;creative=android-mobile1&amp;fallback=https%3A%2F%2Fplay.google.com%2Fstore%2Fapps%2Fdetails%3Fid%3Dorg.mozilla.firefox\">new Firefox for Android now<\/a>.\u00a0<em>Added Sept. 2, 2020<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Big news for mobile: as of today, Firefox for Android users in Europe will find an entirely redesigned interface and a fast and secure mobile browser that was overhauled down &hellip; <a class=\"go\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/press-uk\/2020\/08\/25\/fast-personalised-and-private-by-design-on-all-platforms-introducing-a-new-firefox-for-android-experience\/\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1679,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[30,8807,4498,124,5,66],"tags":[130992,130998,130996,130995,130999],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/press-uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2232"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/press-uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/press-uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/press-uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1679"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/press-uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2232"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/press-uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2232\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/press-uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2232"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/press-uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2232"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/press-uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2232"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}