Firefox 111.0.1 fixes crashes, but you may not need the update
Mozilla plans to release a new stable version of its Firefox web browser later today. Firefox 111.0.1 is the first point release of Firefox 111, the latest stable version of the open source web browser.
The new Firefox release fixes a single issue in the browser, one that affects just a tiny fraction of the overall Firefox population. Most Firefox users should not be in a hurry to download the update to their devices because of this.
The official release notes will be published here later today.
Firefox 111.0.1
Firefox 111.0.1 will be distributed to all supported platforms. The releases are already on Mozilla's FTP server, and while there may be last minute changes that replace these builds with new ones, it is usually not the case.
Most Firefox installations will be updated automatically using the built-in updating functionality of the browser.
Selecting Menu > Help > About Firefox displays the current version that is installed, and runs a check for updates. The new version of the browser, once released, should get picked up automatically at this stage.
Firefox 111.0.1 addresses a crash that affects the browser on macOS devices only. Mozilla reveals in the release notes that Firefox may crash on macOS "while pinch-zooming under certain circumstances".
The bug report on Mozilla's bug tracking website Bugzilla provides additional information on the issue. Observant readers may notice that the bug was opened more than three years ago, fixed at the time, and reopened a month ago. Mozilla noticed an increase in crashes in Firefox Nightly on Mac about a month ago, and this led to the reopening of the bug report.
The issue does not appear to be limited to Firefox 111 and newer. Mozilla lists Firefox 110 and 109 as affected as well on the bug tracking website.
Mozilla added another fix in Firefox 111.0.1, which it failed to list in the preliminary release notes. Firefox 111.0.1 addresses a startup freeze on Windows that is affecting some users.
Recommendation
Firefox users on macOS who use pinch zooming may want to install the patch immediately to address the issue and prevent Firefox from crashing on their systems. Windows users affected by the bug that causes startup freezes may also want to install the update.
Most Firefox installations are not affected by the issues, and users should not feel a rush to install the updates immediately.
The next major Firefox release is scheduled for April 11,2023. Firefox 112 Stable will be released to all channels on that day.
Now You:
Well, now there is!
https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1594270
Yet still no decision on the Windows 7 and 8 support for the upcoming ESR 115. What’s the bloody holdup?
I wrote on Bugzilla:
Wow! Another two months and no affirmative answer as to whether or not Windows 7 and 8 will run ESR 115. This should’ve been something we’d know about back at Christmas. What’s the hold up with the decision?
These are things one wants to know about WELL AHEAD of time.
https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1594270
@Fried_Curly_Chair_Squad that’s not true.
Hands down the best Browser for privacy and security. Love Firefox. Been using it forever.
If you ignore that they sell all their user data to Google. For privacy and security is as good (or bad) as every other Chromium-based browser.
If you want a really private and secure browser, use something like Lynx or K-Meleon or Epiphany or Konqueror.
@Fried_Curly_Chair_Squad, definitely untrue. Maybe boiled would be preferable to fried.
@Fried_Curly_Chair_Squad:
Paid comment or just a troll? Because it’s clear that you’re spreading fake news.
@Fried_Curly_Chair_Squad
That’s not true at all
Firefox 111.0 on Windows tends to hog up almost 1.6GB of RAM sometimes when opening a separate tab for images online – most likely when working with .PNG image types. And I’ve experienced more browser crashes with it than Firefox 110.0 . Hard to say whether their GPU feature is performing better or worse than previous Firefox versions did without it.
Firefox ESR hasn’t these problems, however ESR is not too pretty much promoted by FF.
> Firefox 111.0.1 addresses a crash that affects the browser on macOS devices only.
This won’t be the only fix in Firefox 111.0.1. It will also fix a very critical issue for users of Windows 11. And the referenced version on the “FTP server” does not yet contain this fix. There is also a bugfix for a video playback crash that affects all operating systems, and a series of fixes for Widevine on Windows ARM in Firefox 111.0.1.
Thanks for the info, but the way the issue is repeatedly phrased (“Most Firefox users should not be in a hurry to download the update…” and “…users should not feel any need to install the update immediately on their devices”) suggests there are good reasons not to update. Just stating that there’s no immediate need for Windows and Linux users to update would raise fewer eyebrows.