10 mobile Firefox extensions that improve your browsing experience

Martin Brinkmann
Jan 26, 2014
Firefox, Firefox add-ons
|
6

I have to admit that I try to avoid using a web browser on my mobile phone. While handy at times, for instance when you need to look something up or want to check that your site is up and running, it is in my opinion not comfortable for extended browsing sessions.

When I browse the Internet on my Galaxy Note 2, I tend to switch between Chrome and Firefox to do so. I do not really have a preference here, and the most likely reason here is that I do not spend much time using the apps.

I began to use the mobile version of Firefox a bit more in recent time as I had to check the mobile versions of some of my sites to make sure everything ran correctly in this regard.

Before I started, I decided to take a look at mobile add-ons for Firefox to install those that would come in handy at a later point in time.

This article is a result of that browsing session. Feel free to chime in and let me know about extensions that I have not mentioned in the article.

firefox mobile addons firefox-mobile-context-menu

1. URL Fixer

The browser extension fixes common spelling mistakes that you make, for instance if you write con instead of com, or add use ,com instead of .com when you type a web address.

While I won't consider it essential, I have to admit that it saved me from having to correct the address that I typed manually because of a spelling error I made. And yes, those tend to happen more often on mobile than on the desktop.

2. QuitNow

Sometimes, it is a small thing that can make a big difference. The QuitNow extension displays an option in Firefox's context menu to exit the mobile app at that point in time.

Mozilla removed the native option to do so in Firefox 20 for devices running Ice Cream Sandwich or above.

3.  Always Zoom

Another handy extension that enables you to zoom contents on any page, even on those that disabled zooming. To zoom, either double-tap in rapid succession on the screen, or use the pinch-to-zoom technique to do so.

4. Site Searcher

Use the extension to search any site while you are on it. Simply tap on the menu button and select the Search Site option from the context menu that opens up to do so.

The addon opens a site: search on Google, so that you only have to enter the search term you are looking for to get started.

5. Network Preferences

firefox mobile proxy settings

While it is possible to add proxy settings using about:config, you won't find a user interface menu to add proxy settings to the mobile version of Firefox.

It is not really clear why Mozilla decided not to include those in a menu on the frontend. The Network Preferences Add-on adds proxy configuration settings to the frontend.

6. Prettify Paragraphs

This add-on improves the readability of web pages by activating full justification and hyphenation on all web pages. It means basically that paragraphs will always use the full length of the screen.

7.  Click-to-play Manager

Enables you to access the Click-to-play whitelist by loading about:ctp in the address bar. You can add domains there that you want whitelisted.

8. Scrollbar Like Scroller

There are no scrollbars in the mobile version of Firefox. That's not only bad for orientation, but may also result in content being ignored because it is not identified as such by the user.

The browser add-on adds scrollbars to Firefox that indicate where you are on a page, and that you can scroll vertically or horizontally to access contents.

9. Big Navigation

Big Navigation improves navigation links that you find -- mostly -- on desktop versions of web pages. These links are usually very small and aligned close next to each other, which makes it difficult to tap on the right link at times.

10. Refresher

Adds a refresh icon to Firefox's address bar that you can click on to reload the current page.

Advertisement

Tutorials & Tips


Previous Post: «
Next Post: «

Comments

  1. geeknik said on January 28, 2014 at 10:54 pm
    Reply

    FYI, Adblock Plus is known to cause incredible slowdowns of Mobile Firefox on certain devices.

  2. Maou said on January 27, 2014 at 2:42 am
    Reply

    Besides QuitNow I also use Self destructing Cookies.

  3. Rocky said on January 27, 2014 at 12:04 am
    Reply

    I agree that browsing on a phone is not a good experience. More and more I feel that it is better to use the phone as it was originally intended – as a communication device (calls, text , perhaps email). For anything else desktop or tablet.

  4. fokka said on January 26, 2014 at 10:57 pm
    Reply

    i was just bitching about mobile browsers to a friend not 5 minutes ago.
    i don’t have the best phone (htc sensation with 2×1,5ghz and a paltry 768mb ram), but it still amazes me how frustratingly slow browsers, especially firefox, can be on mobile.

    i’m running a kitkat rom since a few days, so i have to test out a bit longer, if the troubles still persist, but compared to my customized firefox on my old core2duo laptop, surfing on my htc is like driving a bike with square wheels.

    so i’m happy you list a couple helpful addons here, i can use every bit of help i can get regarding this topic.

    1. Drugmix said on January 28, 2014 at 12:03 am
      Reply

      So true :(
      On my android smartphone Firefox is ~10 times slower than Opera.

  5. Roebie said on January 26, 2014 at 6:52 pm
    Reply

    I have also FullScreen and Adblock Plus installed.

Leave a Reply

Check the box to consent to your data being stored in line with the guidelines set out in our privacy policy

We love comments and welcome thoughtful and civilized discussion. Rudeness and personal attacks will not be tolerated. Please stay on-topic.
Please note that your comment may not appear immediately after you post it.