Firefox Focus

{{Short description|Open-source privacy-focused web browser by Mozilla}}

{{Infobox software

| name = Firefox Focus

| logo = Firefox Focus 2021 Icon.svg

| logo size = 100px

| screenshot = File:Firefox Focus 134.0.1.png

| screenshot size = 200px

| screenshot alt = Firefox Focus showing Wikipedia

| caption = Firefox Focus showing Wikipedia

| developer = Mozilla Foundation
Mozilla Corporation

| released = {{Start date and age|2015|12|7}}{{cite web

| title=Focus by Firefox - Content Blocking tor the Open Web - Mozilla

| url=https://blog.mozilla.org/blog/2015/12/07/focus-by-firefox-content-blocking-for-the-open-web/

| publisher=Mozilla Foundation

| access-date=18 July 2018}}

| latest release version = 139.0

| latest release date = {{Start date and age|2025|05|24}}{{Cite web|title=Firefox Focus: The privacy browser - Apps on Google Play|url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.mozilla.focus|access-date=2025-06-01|website=play.google.com|language=en}}

| repo = {{Plainlist|

Android: {{URL|https://hg-edge.mozilla.org/mozilla-central}}
iOS: {{URL|https://github.com/mozilla-mobile/firefox-ios}}

}}

| genre = Mobile browser, Ad-Blocker

| engine = {{Plainlist|

Android:
before 6.x: WebView{{Cite web|title=Firefox Focus with GeckoView – Mozilla Hacks - the Web developer blog|url=https://hacks.mozilla.org/2018/09/focus-with-geckoview|access-date=2021-03-25|website=Mozilla Hacks – the Web developer blog|language=en-US}} (i.e. Blink)
7.0 and later: GeckoView i.e. Gecko
iOS: WebKit

}}

| operating system = {{ubl

|iOS, iOS 15.0 and later

|iPadOS, iPadOS 15.0 and later

|visionOS, visionOS 1.0 and later

|Android, Android 5.0 and later

}}

| license = MPL 2.0

}}

Firefox Focus is a free and open-source privacy-focused mobile browser by Mozilla, based on Firefox. It is available for Android{{cite web |url=https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/focus/|title=Firefox Focus Browser |author=Mozilla |access-date=27 July 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.techradar.com/news/firefox-focus-private-browser-arrives-on-android|title=Firefox Focus private browser arrives on Android|author=Ellis|first=Cat|date=June 20, 2017|website=TechRadar|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806091047/https://www.techradar.com/news/firefox-focus-private-browser-arrives-on-android|archive-date=August 6, 2017|url-status=live|access-date=18 July 2018}} and iOS smartphones and tablets.{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2016/11/17/firefox-focus/|title=Firefox Focus brings easy private browsing to your iPhone|last=Fingas|first=Jon|date=November 17, 2016|website=Engadget|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190218132201/https://www.engadget.com/2016/11/17/firefox-focus/|archive-date=February 18, 2019|url-status=live|access-date=2018-07-18}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/nov/18/firefox-focus-new-app-offers-very-private-browsing-mozilla|title=Firefox Focus: new app offers very private browsing|last=Hern|first=Alex|date=November 18, 2016|work=The Guardian|access-date=2018-07-18}} Its predecessor, Focus by Firefox, was released in December 2015 as a tracker-blocking application which worked only in conjunction with the Safari mobile browser on iOS.{{cite web |last1=Nguyen |first1=Nick |title=Announcing Focus by Firefox, a Content Blocker for iOS |url=https://blog.mozilla.org/futurereleases/2015/12/08/announcing-focus-by-firefox-a-content-blocker-for-ios/ |website=Future Releases |access-date=17 February 2024 |date=8 December 2015}}{{cite web|url=https://www.techspot.com/news/67105-firefox-focus-ios-makes-private-browsing-quick-easy.html|title=Firefox Focus for iOS makes private browsing quick and easy|author=Vilches|first=Jose|date=November 18, 2016|website=TechSpot|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718234545/https://www.techspot.com/news/67105-firefox-focus-ios-makes-private-browsing-quick-easy.html|archive-date=July 18, 2018|url-status=live|access-date=27 July 2017}} It was developed into a minimalist web browser in 2016 but retained this background blocking functionality.{{cite web|url=https://blog.mozilla.org/blog/2016/11/17/introducing-firefox-focus-a-free-fast-and-easy-to-use-private-browser-for-ios/|title=Introducing Firefox Focus – A Free, Fast Private Browser for iPhone|last=Nguyen|first=Nick|date=November 17, 2016|publisher=Mozilla Foundation|access-date=18 July 2018}}

The Android version of the browser was first released in June 2017 and was downloaded over one million times in the first month.{{cite web|url=https://www.heise.de/newsticker/meldung/Firefox-Klar-Eine-Million-Downloads-drei-neue-Funktionen-3779778.html|title=Firefox Klar Eine Million Downloads|last=Berger|first=Daniel|date=July 21, 2017|website=heise online|language=German|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623170021/https://www.heise.de/newsticker/meldung/Firefox-Klar-Eine-Million-Downloads-drei-neue-Funktionen-3779778.html|archive-date=June 23, 2018|url-status=live|access-date=2018-07-18}} As of January 2017, it was available in 27 languages.{{cite web|url=https://blog.mozilla.org/blog/2017/01/25/firefox-focus-now-available-in-27-languages/|title=Firefox Focus Now Available in 27 Languages|last=Nguyen|first=Nick|date=January 25, 2017|language=en|access-date=2018-07-18}} The version released for German-speaking countries has telemetry disabled and is named Firefox Klar to avoid ambiguity with the German news magazine FOCUS.{{cite web|url=https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/focus|title=What is Firefox Focus?|publisher=Mozilla Foundation|language=English|access-date=5 July 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/difference-between-firefox-focus-and-firefox-klar|title=I can't find Firefox Focus in Germany, Austria or Switzerland {{!}} Firefox Klar Help|website=support.mozilla.org|language=en-US|access-date=2017-07-31}}

Tracking protection

Firefox Focus is designed to block online trackers, including third-party advertising, with the end goal of both improving browsing speed and protecting users' privacy. Content blocking is achieved using the Disconnect block lists.{{Citation|title=focus-android: Firefox Focus: The privacy browser - Browse like no one's watching|date=2017-11-13|url=https://github.com/mozilla-mobile/focus-android|publisher=Mozilla Mobile|access-date=2017-11-13}}{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2016/11/17/apple-iphone-firefox-focus-private-browser/|title=The iPhone Just Got A New Super-Private Firefox Browser|last=Brewster|first=Thomas|date=November 17, 2016|website=Forbes|access-date=2018-07-18}} The blocking of third-party trackers (except "other content trackers") is enabled by default. In the other Firefox browsers, users have to enable the tracking protection feature inside the browser preferences manually.{{Cite web|url=https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/tracking-protection|title=Tracking Protection {{!}} Firefox Help|website=support.mozilla.org|language=en-US|access-date=2017-11-13}} Users can also view types of trackers on a page by tapping on the shield icon next to the URL bar. A panel will pop-up and shows what kind of trackers are on that page: ad trackers, analytics trackers, social trackers or content trackers.{{cite web|url=https://trvrs.co/journal/firefox-focus|title=Browse, erase, repeat|author=Travers|first=Andrew|date=February 15, 2018|website=trvrs.co|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719235404/https://trvrs.co/journal/firefox-focus|archive-date=July 19, 2018|url-status=live|access-date=2018-07-19}}

On December 20, 2018, Mozilla announced that Firefox Focus now checks all URLs against the Google Safe Browsing service to help prevent people from accessing fraudulent sites.{{Cite web |last=Lardinois |first=Frederic |date=December 20, 2018 |title=Firefox Focus adds support for enhanced tracking protection and Google's Safe Browsing service |url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/12/20/firefox-focus-adds-support-for-enhanced-tracking-protection-and-googles-safe-browsing-service/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250224212806/https://techcrunch.com/2018/12/20/firefox-focus-adds-support-for-enhanced-tracking-protection-and-googles-safe-browsing-service/ |archive-date=2025-02-24 |access-date=January 3, 2019 |website=TechCrunch}}

On iOS devices, Firefox Focus uses the WebKit engine as required by Apple for all browsers on the App Store.{{Cite web |title=App Review Guidelines |url=https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/guidelines/#introduction |access-date=2024-12-03 |website=Apple Developer |language=en}} On Android, it used the Blink engine in version 6.x and earlier, and it has used GeckoView since version 7.0.{{Cite web|url=https://support.mozilla.org/kb/whats-new-firefox-focus-android-version-7|title=What's new in Firefox Focus for Android (version 7) {{!}} Firefox Focus Help|website=support.mozilla.org|language=en-US|access-date=2018-09-14}}

Functions and integrations

Firefox Focus can be set as content-blocker in the Safari web browser options.{{cite web|url=https://www.lifewire.com/firefox-focus-browser-for-ios-4136297|title=Firefox Focus Browser for iOS|last=Orgera|first=Scott|date=August 17, 2018|website=Lifewire|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718234550/https://www.lifewire.com/firefox-focus-browser-for-ios-4136297|archive-date=July 18, 2018|url-status=live|access-date=2018-07-18}} After activating the Safari integration in the Firefox Focus settings, it will disable trackers automatically in the background when browsing using the Safari browser.

Pressing the trash icon while browsing will delete all session data, and return to the start screen (i.e. display the customisable search bar). Up to 4 favourite links (called Shortcuts) can be set on the home screen of the device.{{Cite web |title=Firefox Focus main Menu |url=https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/firefox-focus-main-menu |access-date=2024-11-03}}

Firefox Focus contains an option called telemetry. By activating it, users can allow Mozilla to collect and receive non personal-identifiable information to improve Firefox.[https://wiki.mozilla.org/Telemetry Mozilla Wiki: Telemetry] Due to privacy concerns, telemetry of Firefox Klar is disabled by default.[https://web.archive.org/web/20171231163247/https://github.com/mozilla-mobile/focus-android/wiki/Telemetry Telemetry Readme - Firefox Focus on GitHub] "Builds of "Focus for Android" have telemetry enabled by default ("opt-out") while builds of "Klar for Android" have telemetry disabled by default."

Beginning July 2018, Firefox Focus was preinstalled on the BlackBerry Key2 Android smartphone as part of the application Locker.{{cite web|url=https://blog.mozilla.org/press/2018/07/new-features-in-firefox-focus-for-ios-android-now-also-on-the-blackberry-key2/|title=New Features in Firefox Focus for iOS, Android – now also on the BlackBerry Key2|date=July 12, 2018|publisher=Mozilla Foundation|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180822224907/https://blog.mozilla.org/press/2018/07/new-features-in-firefox-focus-for-ios-android-now-also-on-the-blackberry-key2/|archive-date=August 22, 2018|url-status=live|access-date=2018-07-18}}{{cite web|url=https://www.neowin.net/news/firefox-focus-gets-new-features-on-android-and-ios-and-comes-to-the-latest-blackberry|title=Firefox Focus gets new Features on Android and iOS and comes to the latest Blackberry|last=Carrasqueira|first=João|date=July 12, 2018|website=Neowin|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190107140731/https://www.neowin.net/news/firefox-focus-gets-new-features-on-android-and-ios-and-comes-to-the-latest-blackberry|archive-date=January 7, 2019|url-status=live|access-date=2018-07-18}}

October 15, 2018, Mozilla announced that Firefox Focus is being updated with a new search feature and visual design. That means the browser will conceptually tell users about its features and options.{{Cite web|url=https://www.talkandroid.com/333148-firefox-focus-for-android-gets-a-big-update-with-search-suggestions-and-a-new-design/|title=Firefox Focus for Android gets a big update with search suggestions and a new design|last=Peters|first=Jared|date=October 15, 2018|website=TalkAndroid|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190105042753/https://www.talkandroid.com/333148-firefox-focus-for-android-gets-a-big-update-with-search-suggestions-and-a-new-design/|archive-date=January 5, 2019|url-status=live|access-date=January 4, 2019}}

Opening multiple tabs in Firefox Focus is available on Android.{{Cite web |date=2022-11-14 |title=Open a new private tab in Firefox Focus for Android |url=https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/open-new-private-tab-firefox-focus-android |access-date=2024-11-03}}

Minimum device requirements

= Apple mobile devices =

There are some minimum hardware requirements to remove tracking contents. The mechanism needs hardware that can handle the extra load of content blocking so it only works on 64-bit devices running iOS 9 and above including:{{cite web | url=https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/focus#w_requirements | title=support.mozilla.org - Firefox Focus requirements | access-date=2018-07-20 | language=en}}

iPhone 5s and newer
iPad Air and newer
iPad mini 2 and newer
iPod touch from the 6th generation
Apple Vision Pro

As of November 2024, iOS 15.0 or later is required to download Firefox Focus on the App Store.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-27 |title=Firefox Focus: Privacy browser |url=https://apps.apple.com/us/app/firefox-focus-privacy-browser/id1055677337 |access-date=2024-11-03 |website=App Store |language=en-US}}

= Android mobile devices =

Android version 5.0 or higher is required to download Firefox Focus from the Google Play store and use it on Android.{{Cite web |title=Firefox Focus: No Fuss Browser - Apps on Google Play |url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.mozilla.focus&hl=en_US&gl=US |access-date=2024-11-03 |website=play.google.com |language=en-US}}

Gallery

File:Firefox Focus hamburger menu.png|Find in Page

File:Firefox Focus Privacy and security screenshot.png|Block cookies

File:Firefox Focus - Settings screen.png|Settings

References

External links

{{Official website}}
[https://apps.apple.com/us/app/firefox-focus-the-privacy-browser/id1055677337 Firefox Focus for iOS] on the App Store
[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.mozilla.focus&hl=en Firefox Focus for Android] on Google Play
[https://f-droid.org/packages/org.mozilla.klar/ Firefox Klar for Android] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180525225003/https://f-droid.org/packages/org.mozilla.klar/ |date=2018-05-25 }} on F-Droid

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