topic Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly in Discussions

Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

cbellini — Thu, 31 Oct 2024 23:15:42 GMT

Exciting Updates to the Firefox Address Bar: Get Nightly and Test Them Now!Hello Firefox community! We're excited to share the latest updates to the Firefox Address Bar! These new features aim to improve your search browsing experience by making it faster, more intuitive, and easier to discover tools you already love. Whether you're a long-time Firefox user or exploring its capabilities for the first time, we’ve got something that’ll enhance your web experience. What’s New:

Unified Search Button: A new, easy-to-access button in the address bar helps you switch between search engines and search modes with ease. This feature brings the simplicity of mobile Firefox to your desktop experience
Search Term Persistence: Now when you refine a search in the address bar, the original term sticks around, making it easier to adjust your queries and find exactly what you're looking for
Secondary Action Buttons: Ever needed to access more options for a specific result? These buttons allow for a streamlined experience, whether you're switching tabs or performing quick browser actions—all without disrupting your workflow
Intuitive Search Keywords: You can access various address bar search modes with convenient and descriptive keywords (e.g. @bookmarks,@tabs,@history, @actions).
HTTP As the Exception: For a more secure web experience, we'll now display the HTTP protocol prominently, so you know when you're on a non-secure site, while HTTPS will be hidden to reduce clutter.

How Does This Benefit You?

For our long-term Firefox users who appreciate the balance between power and simplicity, these updates give you more control and smoother navigation without overwhelming your current browsing setup.

For newer users, especially those looking for intuitive, fast-paced productivity, these features ensure you can search, switch, and perform tasks quickly, all while keeping privacy and user choice at the forefront. Your Feedback Shapes Firefox!

We’re inviting you to test these features in Firefox Nightly and share your thoughts. Whether you love how easy it is to switch search engines or have ideas for what’s next, your feedback will help us refine and perfect these features before their full release.

Join the conversation and let us know how we can continue building a better Firefox—one that respects your preferences, enhances your productivity, and keeps you in control.We invite you to join the discussion and help us shape the future of Firefox Search.

When sharing feedback, we'd also love to know:

How long have you used Firefox?
Is Firefox your default browser?

Happy browsing!

— The Firefox Search Team

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

yoasif — Thu, 31 Oct 2024 18:59:08 GMT

The new widget next to the address bar looks like a drop-down, but it isn't.

Once you select a search engine, the dropdown looking widget turns into a chiclet that requires you to "eXit" the mode to select a new search engine.

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

zotan — Thu, 31 Oct 2024 19:50:41 GMT

The dropdown should only be visible when the search bar is focused or the new tab / blank page is open, as it serves no purpose otherwise and gets in the way visually. Alternatively, it'd be awesome if we could get a preference to change this behavior specifically, instead of opting out of the entire redesign.

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

tilwiti — Thu, 31 Oct 2024 22:43:08 GMT

Hi, @cbellini !

Great update! I have a few feature requests to enhance the functionality:

Please add an option to keep the dropdown menu visible in popup windows. This is especially important because:
- The screenshot button disappears in popups, even when pinned to the toolbar
- While right-click works, just got used to this handy button above.
It would also be fantastic to have custom action capabilities, such as:
- Setting automatic page refresh intervals (e.g., every 5 minutes)
- Custom query integrations like ntfy.sh for link sharing and so on

These additions would make the popup windows more complete and versatile for power users.

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

ThePillenwerfer — Thu, 31 Oct 2024 22:56:41 GMT

"... instead of opting out of the entire redesign."

That's assuming we can. However I really can't see it remaining on the screen all the time.

Personally it fills me with indifference as the current system does all I wish it to and there's no sign that the new one will fail to.

I'm more concerned about the great big gap to the left of the Firefox View icon.

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

daleharvey — Thu, 31 Oct 2024 23:16:00 GMT

> The dropdown should only be visible when the search bar is focused or the new tab / blank page is open

There is work being done to implement that behaviour @ https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1928132

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

tilwiti — Thu, 31 Oct 2024 23:49:51 GMT

Firefox is my default browser, I have been using it since spring, but I miss a lot of Vivaldiesque stuff. Don't spy on them, but I think they might inspire you.

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

DuncanLang — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 01:52:37 GMT

The new unified search button is neat, but I think the button being part of the address bar should be dependant on whether you have the search box in the toolbar, as the button would make more sense in the search box. Because I use the separate search bar, I don't use the address bar much for searching and the unified search button being in the address bar feels completely out of place .

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

BelFox — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 11:42:22 GMT

Hi @cbellini, thanks for sharing this update with us!

I've been playing around with the new address bar and search for a bit. I like most of the changes. However, I have a lot of search engines installed (EDIT: 40, not all visible in mock-up below). This makes for a looooong dropdown list. This makes it more cumbersome to access the 'special' searches (like Bookmarks, Tabs, History, Actions) because I need to scroll all the way down.

I also wonder how OpenSearch engine discovery can be foreseen (currently only possible from Search bar)?

I've made a mock-up with a few suggestions. I would love it if you guys could take a look at it! Thanks 🙂

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

Agentvirtuel — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 11:45:21 GMT

Hello

https://firefox-source-docs.mozilla.org/devtools-user/browser_toolbox/index.html

Try userChrome.css

.titlebar-spacer[type="pre-tabs"]{display:none!important;}

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

SouthFresh — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 13:34:22 GMT

The search term feature remaining has been happening in my iOS Firefox for a couple months, and it is absolutely horrible.

How do I EDIT the URL if I want to? Say to add "&UDM=14" to clean up the search if on Google?

Being able to confirm you're at the correct URL is a security feature that I'm not willing to let go.

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

Josh_B — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 14:09:36 GMT

Hey SouthFresh,

You can go to about:preferences, and navigate to the search settings. Find the setting for "Show search terms in the address bar on results pages" and flip the checkbox to turn off the persistent search term feature.

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

Josh_B — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 14:10:46 GMT

Ahh, actually, I see you said iOS. I'm not sure there's a pref on there.

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

SouthFresh — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 14:18:27 GMT

No worries on that, I know I was talking about a separate product, but the concept remains the same. I'm glad to hear that the feature can be disabled on desktop.

Thank you very much for this!

I still feel that in the current security landscape, hiding the actual URL is not as safe as it seems. I'm not sure if only specific sites will allow for this behavior or not, but URL visibility/editing isn't something that should be tossed by the wayside.

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

Josh_B — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 14:35:09 GMT

At least on desktop persistent search features are currently limited to search engines pre-configured by the Firefox team. So on desktop, if you add a search engine Fx team won't hide the URL and display the search term while you search with that engine.

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

bappity — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 15:43:21 GMT

not a big fan of the removal of the top bar padding with the sidebar revamp on. I implore that you re-implement at least some amount of padding on the top so that the window can be easily grabbed and dragged from any part of it.

This update has had me misclicking into the input field of the address bar when I've tried and gives very little real estate for grabbing and dragging now.

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

Allan-L — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 17:01:14 GMT

Fullscreen BUG ? my address/search bar is persistent on fullscreen mode (F11)

Ubuntu 24.04
firefox-nightly (134.0a1~20241101094230) and (134.0a1~20241031093845)

if you need more info, please reply

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

Agentvirtuel — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 17:07:43 GMT

Hello

An https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1928292 - https://connect.mozilla.org/t5/discussions/address-bar-help-search-bar-drops-down-into-window-when-in/m-p/76285

https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1928255

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

DuncanLang — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 18:04:09 GMT

In regards to the HTTPS change: I don't find any part of the URL to be considered clutter. Even if HTTPS is standard across all domains I access, the whole point of the address bar is to display the URL of the page I'm currently on, so the HTTPS it's still part of the URL and I wouldn't want any part to be hidden. This also adds a new annoyance when trying to select or copy text from the URL as clicking on it will now move the text over to add the HTTPS back to the URL.

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

Synchro — Mon, 04 Nov 2024 07:08:25 GMT

"Unified Search Button: A new, easy-to-access button in the address bar helps you switch between search engines and search modes with ease. This feature brings the simplicity of mobile Firefox to your desktop experience"

Looks good, but it requires some polishing:

I chose the engine through this button. -> I get the result. -> I want to search something new using another engine. -> But at first I need to click the "x" in this button, the button becomes more narrow, then click the "v" there and choose new engine. Too many clicking and mouse moving...

"Search Term Persistence: Now when you refine a search in the address bar, the original term sticks around, making it easier to adjust your queries and find exactly what you're looking for"

Please keep this switchable. Some people might prefer to see the original term, I prefer to be able to reach the URL.

"Intuitive Search Keywords: You can access various address bar search modes with convenient and descriptive keywords (e.g. @bookmarks,@tabs,@history, @actions)."

Are one-character keywords supported only for Latin script now? I tried Cyrillic script keywords and it looks like they work with 2 or more characters. By the way when keybords have more than one scripts layout symbol "@" is usually only in Latin one, so if you want to type "@закладки" (bookmarks), you need to switch to Latin at first, type "@", then switch back to Cyrillic, then type "закладки". Any switching to Latin is not convinient when you are aimning to search for something only in Cyrillic or other script.

PS: I've been using FF for PC since 2020. For Android - also since 2020 or maybe a couple of years earlier. Yes, both of them are my default browsers.

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

Cabbage — Sun, 03 Nov 2024 17:14:55 GMT

For me, moving the different search engines I commonly use behind a dropdown menu is an objective downgrade in QoL. It's more clicks and more mouse movement than it used to be when the search engines were all available at the bottom of the URL suggestion window. I'm not a fan.

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

TechHorse — Sun, 03 Nov 2024 18:17:43 GMT

Sorry if this is the wrong place or if this has already been changed, but is there any possibility of changing the special address bar searches (tabs, history, bookmarks) so that they are also activated by following there character with tab?

What I mean is, if I press "d [tab]" then the address bar switches to 'search DuckDuckGo' mode.

So I would expect "* [tab]" to switch to 'search bookmarks' mode. However this doesn't work, and I have to remember that it is "* [space]" or just "*" instead.

Would adding a tab press as an activator for these special searches be possible? But without removing the pre-existing activators. Wouldn't want to annoy anyone who is used to pressing "% [space ]" to search open tabs etc.

Speaking of not removing any pre-existing activators, I hope that the new "@bookmarks" etc. activators do not mean that the previous "*" etc. activators will be removed! They are after all much quicker to type. Thanks for reading.

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

kolia — Sun, 03 Nov 2024 19:56:09 GMT

I don't like it. It's one extra click and a tiny dropdown now. Search engine icons under suggestions weren't taking too much space, what's the point of changing it? Plus, constantly having a logo on screen really downgrades apprehension. Also, now I can't change the search engine to handle my request with keyboard if I've already typed in anything into the address bar: I have to remove what I entered to be able to use Shift+Tab.

The only problem I had with the old version of the search engine selection was that I'd incautiously choose "Settings" with keyboard from time to time.

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

myspace — Mon, 04 Nov 2024 20:38:31 GMT

Cool update, thanks for sharing! Testing it out now.

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

kornel — Wed, 06 Nov 2024 12:09:40 GMT

The new button shows an icon of a search engine, but it's in the address bar next to website's address, so I would expect website's favicon to be in that location. It's really confusing to have a Google logo next to non-Google pages.

I really don't like having search engine icon in the address bar all the time. Especially when it shows search engine icon outside of search engine results, and even when I've navigated to a page without using a search engine.

I know very well what is my default search engine. I don't need the search engine provider's logo advertised to me all the time on every page.

----

Besides that, the dropdown is cumbersome to use. Previously, I could select other search engines just with keyboard by using arrow keys in the dropdown. Now I need to grab the mouse.

Perhaps I could have used keywords in the addressbar instead of switching to the mouse, but I don't remember the keywords. The new dropdown doesn't show hints for keyword shortcuts, so the keywords are not discoverable.

The new dropdown takes focus away from the address bar's text input field. It sets it back after selecting an engine, so it's not too terrible, but it looks cluttered visually. The large addressbar dropdown disappears and reappears, and it looks hacky that the same addressbar element has two different kinds of popup menus. The addressbar looks disabled when the search engine popup is visible, which looks weird, because the popup is a part of the addressbar.

It's also weird that it's not a real select/popup menu. In the default state it has a "V" indicator like select boxes, but once I select something, it changes to an "X". It also looks buggy that the shield and padlock icons are visible before selecting a search engine, but disappear after I select one. Especially weird that for my default search engine, there can be three different layouts: shield + padlock + dropdown with "V", or just a wide button with "X", or just the narrow dropdown with "V" without shield or padlock -- all for the same search engine, with the same icon. It's just inconsistent.

----

But worst of all, is that I can't just get rid of it. If I wanted a browser that I can't customize, I'd use Safari.

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

Agentvirtuel — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 07:09:45 GMT

Hello

https://www.reddit.com/r/firefox/comments/1gi4yl8/how_can_i_disable_this_i_dont_need_to_see_my
For information purposes https://www.reddit.com/r/firefox/comments/1gi4yl8/comment/lv3db3f
Configuration Editor for Firefox https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/about-config-editor-firefox
Search browser.urlbar.scotchBonnet.enableOverride

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

Anonymous — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 22:29:43 GMT

1. Full URL NOW! Where is it! Who in the world made you all this terrible at design!

2. How do you get rid of the search engine icon in the search bar? It's right next to Nightly (right). In my normal Firefox I have a search bar (Like I wanted). Nightly has what looks like a search toolbar add-on, just looks very generic.

I don't normally get the political card, but it's needed more than ever. No one independent wants to be told what to do. You'll at Mozilla might actually think you know what is best for everyone, but I assure you, you don't.

It's why the Republicans won and will continue to win. The working people do not like to be told what to like. You use things like,

"This feature brings the simplicity of mobile Firefox to your desktop experience". But in the real world, no one would ever want a mobile browser on their desktop, why? Because I don't use my hands with my desktop, I use a mouse.
Just putting those words close to each other has negative implications, and it is odd that you choose to use them.

"streamlined experience" Is there some type of manipulation school that all tech employees goto before being hired? This is one of those lines you hear from like current day Google and/ or Microsoft trying to collect user data.

If you're suggesting that you know how everyone uses their web-browser, and can fix everyone at the sametime, you're highly over optimistic. Also, you used the term "workflow". You're directly causing issues with workflow with search bar changes. You can't change something, then say it works for better workflow, you don't know every single person uses said browser.

Again, people do not like to be told what to do and/ or how to enjoy things. Mangled garbage sentences isn't a skill, but a terrible practice.

All i can say is, better have a clear and easy way to disable these search bar changes. I downloaded Nightly to try them, uninstalled within minutes.

With web-browsers so widely available, I would expect Mozilla to be doing less changes, and more polish. Messing with my search bar is like Microsoft changing my right click in Windows 11, you know what I did? Went back to Windows 10. Even though I can change Windows 11 to act like Windows 10, it's the push back that counts.

I would rather have something I'm used to, than someone telling me how I should use something.

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

SouthFresh — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 23:35:40 GMT

When I saw this appear in nightly after seeing it in iOS I started posting here. I also posted regarding the iOS implementation for the same reason.

It's a security flaw. Give me the URL. ALWAYS.

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

SouthFresh — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 23:39:30 GMT

What's the opposite of Kudos for introducing a security flaw?

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

Anonymous — Fri, 08 Nov 2024 01:15:21 GMT

Yeah, I stumbled across this when I was trying to get update notifications disabled and noticed the Search bar changes and thought, oh no here goes another tech company that just knows what everyone wants, but actually doesn't know. Here we go again.

In all honesty, I vote for no search bar change. With how I've noticed Mozilla changed in just a year or so, it's dumb. Stop wasting resources on nonsensical ideas. But yeah, no full URL, and I change browsers. So mnay out there, would be super easy.

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

Agentvirtuel — Fri, 08 Nov 2024 05:58:26 GMT

Hello

@Anonymous wrote:
2. How do you get rid of the search engine icon in the search bar?

https://www.reddit.com/r/firefox/comments/1gi4yl8/how_can_i_disable_this_i_dont_need_to_see_my

Is it this subject

userChrome.css

#urlbar-searchmode-switcher{display:none!important;}

https://www.userchrome.org

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

Agentvirtuel — Fri, 08 Nov 2024 07:46:16 GMT

Hello

For information purposes

According to

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

Ponda — Fri, 08 Nov 2024 11:45:58 GMT

While I cannot currently test Firefox Nightly (flatpak or Fedora package, see Firefox Developer Edition flatpak and Provide native Linux packages for Firefox Nightly), at least some changes I can already be happy about, such as search term persistence (especially when switching from one engine to another) as HTTP as exception. Note, however, that this change will break many people's workflow, notably those using separate search bar, and thus should be adjustable in the settings. It would also be a good idea to show website or generic internet icon instead of a search provider when a website is opened to avoid any confusion. I'd also be very interested in making this layout work better with keyboard-only navigation that current one, in which you have to press arrow down multiple times to reach the end of suggested results list and be able to change search engine.

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

SouthFresh — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 14:06:26 GMT

I know you're not replying to me.

I appreciate this input, but I'm hopeful that everyone watching this thread understand why this should not need to the the method.

This should be resolvable natively within the application, regardless of the platform.

And more importantly, obfuscating the URL bar by default is a security flaw.

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

TechHorse — Sat, 09 Nov 2024 00:04:22 GMT

Ponda, here are some keyboard tips for changing the search type more quickly, hope that they are useful.

You can get to the 'change search type' section by pressing the up arrow while in the address bar. No need to arrow down to get there. Although I think that there must be some text or a URL in the edit field for this to work.

Also, in the address bar you can use ctrl+up / down to quickly switch between search engines.

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

TechHorse — Sat, 09 Nov 2024 00:06:28 GMT

I use the independent search bar for internet searches because of its search term persistence.

However, I won't be enabling search term persistence in the address bar because, like others, I often want to edit or change part of the URL. I wouldn't want to have to remove the previous search text in order to tweak or copy the URL, as I may need these terms again later.

Plus, as mentioned, there are security issues with hiding the URL.

Basically, I like the current system of having two separate edit boxes for the URL and search terms. I do not want to have to sacrifice one type of information in order to access the other.

Sorry, but that is my honest feedback. I can't see myself moving to use the address bar for internet searches, and will continue to use the independent search bar for this.

On another note, I do like the notion of friendly special search activators such as @history, I am sure that they will be useful to people who haven't learned the use of *, ^, % etc.

(although as I said in a previous post, please do not remove the old single character methods in favour of the easier to remember but longer new terms)

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

crex — Sat, 16 Nov 2024 16:36:06 GMT

Same. How is it more simple having to open a dropdown menu to select your search engine instead of just clicking on its always visible button on the bottom of the suggestion window? It is more work.

It's nice that there's an about:config setting to restore the original behavior. Let's just hope it's not gonna get removed after a while.

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

fournm — Wed, 27 Nov 2024 06:10:36 GMT

Agreed

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

Agentvirtuel — Wed, 27 Nov 2024 06:57:53 GMT

Hello

HTTP As the Exception: For a more secure web experience, we'll now display the HTTP protocol prominently, so you know when you're on a non-secure site, while HTTPS will be hidden to reduce clutter.

Example my personal website http://fromspacestation.free.fr

Keyboard shortcuts https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/keyboard-shortcuts-perform-firefox-tasks-quickly#w_tools

Page Source

Note: the https version doesn't exist, so HTTPS-Only Mode in Firefox https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/https-only-prefs is useless.

For information purposes, of course https isn't always "clean" safe, https://connect.mozilla.org/t5/discussions/google-blocked-direct-access-to-our-site-in-firefox/m-p/39931

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

sunny — Wed, 01 Jan 2025 10:12:21 GMT

Please allow disabling the unified search button. Whenever I want to select / edit a specific part of the URL I try to double click into the address bar, but because suddenly this button as well as an additional `https://` appears the entire text shifts to the right by ~2-3cm or over a hundred pixels and now I'm suddenly editing an entirely different part of the URL that I didn't want to click on. What's worse is that if I click once into the URL bar it shifts to the right because the `https://` untrim appears and when I then double click *again* in the spot I want to edit the Unified Search Button appears and shifts everything to the right **again** so I always have to click into the URL bar 3-4 times to be able to edit the part that I need to edit.

I can disable the url/https trim with about:config, but there's absolutely nothing I can do about the Unified Search Button.

Please create a setting that allows disabling this, or alternatively implement it in such a way that it doesn't shift the entire URL to the right. Thank you!

Edit: Actually it's the other way around, first the Unified Search Button appears, then the https untrim appears.

Luckily `browser.urlbar.usb.dynamic = false` makes the Unified Search Button at least always be there, so the URL doesn't jump around and `browser.urlbar.trimURLs = false` makes the `https://` always appear, so that also stops the URL from jumping around.

I'd still appreciate it a lot if there were more permanent fixes to this issue, especially ones in the Settings UI, and if in the future it will be taken into consideration that when people click into the URL to edit it, they expect to be able to edit what they clicked on, not something entirely different because for some reason the URL needs to jump by multiple centimeters to make place for previously hidden UI elements.

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

SouthFresh — Wed, 01 Jan 2025 19:04:10 GMT

Obfuscating the URL should never have been considered in the first place. This is a security flaw and anti-user.

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

Josh_B — Thu, 02 Jan 2025 16:06:14 GMT

Hi sunny,

Thank you for the feedback. Are you on the newest version of Nightly? We uploaded a fix to the issue of the button interfering with double-click to highlight fairly recently. The Unified Search Button now only displays when the URL is modified or cleared from the addressbar.

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

probablywrong — Mon, 27 Jan 2025 18:14:55 GMT

After using this new unified search bar for several months, I have to say... I miss being able to use other search engines with one click. Type my query, all my other search engines appear below, I just click the one I want and it goes. Easy.

Now to use another search engine, I have to type my query, click the current search engine, click the one I want, then press enter.

I know it's a small thing, not that much work, etc, but it just makes me use other search engines less because I'm not even seeing them so sometimes I forget they're even there. They're all hidden away in some menu. The address bar expands with suggestions when you type anyway so it's not like you're saving space by removing the search engine suggestions from view.

Anyway, it's just one of those changes that now that I've lived with it for months, I can say that while it's not a massive deal or anything, I do think it makes the browser a little worse and I wish I could revert back. I understand the reasoning behind the change but I think Mozilla should rethink whether the aesthetics of hiding them away is worth the tradeoff. I'd put money on the amount of people using multiple search engines regularly has dropped since the change.

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

elegant-tree — Wed, 05 Feb 2025 21:14:48 GMT

Thank you for pointing out `browser.urlbar.trimURLs`! I've been searching everywhere for a way to revert that change!

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

Synchro — Fri, 07 Feb 2025 08:57:18 GMT

Could you please explain what is the difference between "browser.urlbar.trimHttps" and "browser.urlbar.trimURLs"? It looks like previously "browser.urlbar.trimHttps" was responcible for hiding "https"

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

Erwan — Mon, 24 Feb 2025 12:17:05 GMT

Bonjour

How do I disable the "search persistence"??

It's actually very annoying when you want to see your URL during a search.

Edit: I found the little button to display it! That's something.

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

Josh_B — Mon, 24 Feb 2025 15:53:37 GMT

If you want to disable search persistence, you can go to about:preferences#search and in that first section labeled "Default Search Engine" there is a checkbox with the label "Show search terms in the address bar on results page".

Uncheck that checkbox.

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

gotaug — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 05:56:32 GMT

I agree.

It took me more than half an hour to find out how to revert to the much smarter and original design.

Here is how I figure the crappy idea came into fruition:

"We'll just make our users do extra clicks and mouse movements for the hell of it."

"Yes, having the options always in plain view, spread out horizontally, the direction people reflexively move their eyes to scan text or otherwise process information, makes too much sense."

"We can really screw with people by hiding the search options behind a randomly labelled button. While we're at it, let's force our victims (cough ... I mean users) to scan vertically for the search engine they want, because that isn't as easy as scanning horizontally."

"Oh, and while we're at it, we'll call this completely unnecessary change 'Unified Search Button' but we'll call the toggle to turn it off 'scotchBonnet', even though we call the toggle 'unifiedSearchButton' if you want to show the horrible thing all the time"

"We're frickin geniuses! Everybody will love us!"

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

gotaug — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 06:00:40 GMT

To get rid of that goddamn button, toggle browser.urlbar.scotchBonnet.enableOverride to false in about:config

"we'll call this completely unnecessary change 'Unified Search Button' but we'll call the toggle to turn it off 'scotchBonnet', even though we call the toggle 'unifiedSearchButton' if you want to show the horrible thing all the time"

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

Nicholas_Steel — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 11:34:02 GMT

So let me get this straight,

1) My inputted Search Term is no longer persistently visible while navigating the web.
2) I have to cycle between Search box and Address Box mode and can't see both things simultaneously.
3) Search Term Persistence was already a thing (The last thing you typed in to the Search Box stayed visible/typed in to the Search Box, even when navigating to other websites/browser tabs).
4) Search Term History could've been added by showing prior terms when clicking in to the Search Box and erasing its contents and could've been filtered by currently chosen Search Engine. just like what happens when clicking in to an empty Address Bar/Box.
5) Buttons for extended configurability of searching could've been added to the Search Box, where it would've made **bleep** loads more sense.
6) Intuitive Search Keywords and the hiding of HTTPS I'm fine with, that's good stuff.

Am I mistaken on any of this?

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

IvoryAqua — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 14:11:48 GMT

Personally I'm not a fan of having a unified drop-down menu for the search shortcuts. Having all search shortcuts available at the bottom of the search suggestions box takes up only slightly more space but is easier and quicker to navigate. Please at least leave the options for users to stay with the previous format.

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

elitegmr — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 14:40:25 GMT

I prefer the old method of searching things with the address bar, since before it took two mouse clicks to use a specific search engine. With the new chiclet it now takes three mouse clicks, and when you're searching dozens of things every day that adds up. Luckily I found out that I can set "browser.urlbar.scotchBonnet.enableOverride" to false in the about:config to use the old address bar, so as long as you keep this in as an option it's fine I suppose.

One feature that would be useful with the old address bar would be if you could click the little dropdown icons twice in order to search that way, since currently you have to mouse to a specific search icon and click on it, then click the bar above it that says "Search with (option)". It would only save a tiny bit of moving the mouse up between two clicks, but again that adds up.

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

Windows_Vista — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 23:06:55 GMT

This is such a useless feature why not redo the entire UI https://connect.mozilla.org/t5/discussions/firefox-really-needs-a-ui-revamp-in-2025-26/td-p/91762 or work on something way more important like impriving the servo browser engine https://connect.mozilla.org/t5/discussions/when-is-mozilla-gonna-ditch-the-gecko-browser-engine-for-servo/td-p/92293 not some stupid URLbar revamp **bleep**!

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

Agentvirtuel — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 09:29:34 GMT

Hello

About browser.urlbar.scotchBonnet.enableOverride
https://connect.mozilla.org/t5/discussions/how-to-enable-the-unified-search-button-amp-other-search/m-p/92113

Unless i have misunderstood, take a look at https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1949207#c4

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

majestdigest — Fri, 11 Apr 2025 13:51:51 GMT

I don't like the new drop-down menu feature because I use the former one a lot. Then I change it by making browser.urlbar.scotchBonnet.enableOverride value false. Drop down creates one more click and it's annoying.

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

Agentvirtuel — Sun, 13 Apr 2025 05:54:17 GMT

Hello

About the subject, This time search with.

Of course, it's not the answer expected, nevertheless, maybe, you can try this option, the Search bar to your toolbar https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/add-search-bar-firefox-toolbar

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

greenwlan — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 03:34:07 GMT

I’ve been using Firefox for about 12 years, and it has always been my default browser since I first got online.

Unified Search Button: This actually requires more clicks (at least two). While it works well on mobile, the desktop experience is poor. Additionally, the search engine icons don’t match the style of other UI elements, making them stand out awkwardly. It would be best if this could be enabled/disabled in about:preferences, allowing changes to sync via Firefox Sync.

Intuitive Search Keywords: For users of non-alphabetic languages (like Chinese), "@tabs" is no easier to remember than symbols like ^*+#$—and the latter already has years of established usage habits.

HTTP As the Exception: HTTP already has an "insecure" indicator, so this might be redundant. I personally prefer always seeing the protocol being used.

The other features are fine.

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

Agentvirtuel — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 05:10:26 GMT

Hello

An subject https://connect.mozilla.org/t5/discussions/remove-the-search-panel-that-appeared-in-firefox-136-beta-pc-is/m-p/85543 for information purposes.

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

jimmyD — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 19:17:04 GMT

First of all, I am OK with this feature, little nice redesign. Thanks team!

BUT quick switching with option/alt key and arrows no longer works. I was able to quickly select an engine for each query with keyboard. Now mouse clicks are needed.

Looks like this possibility was forgotten to be implemented

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

Diddydooit — Sat, 19 Apr 2025 07:27:27 GMT

Why don't you make it so we can turn off updates until we decide we want them, everyday for about 2 weeks I was getting a pop up telling me there was an update, I got so sick of seeing it that I updated only to find a few days later the popup was back with more updates, let the user control update times.

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

Nicholas_Steel — Sat, 19 Apr 2025 15:16:41 GMT

Okay, after actually trying it out my belief of the Search Box being removed/merged in to the Address Bar was not what is happening. Additionaly I really, really don't don't like how the hiding of HTTPS is handled. It should stay hidden at all times if you're going to do this as otherwise the URL moves to the right when wanting to interact with it and now my mouse courser and my gaze are in the wrong place.

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

Nicholas_Steel — Sat, 19 Apr 2025 15:18:41 GMT

They did, it's a Enterprise Policy you can enable to turn off Automatic Updates.

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

Agentvirtuel — Sat, 19 Apr 2025 15:36:15 GMT

Hello

To complete this information.

DisableAppUpdate https://connect.mozilla.org/t5/discussions/upgrade-notification-spam/m-p/64080/highlight/true#M22529

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

mgw — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 14:49:48 GMT

Was there a change made to how Search Shortcuts work? I used to be able to type in my shortcut keyword and then hit tab to activate that search engine. For instance, I could type e+tab to be able to search Wikipedia directly from the address bar. That seems to have stopped working recently (possibly changed from tab to space?).

I saw a tip to change browser.urlbar.scotchBonnet.enableOverride to false and this did bring back my expected Search Shortcut behavior.

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

Josh_B — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 15:37:29 GMT

I can't speak for whether beforehand you could type "e" + tab to search, but if you made the shortcut "@e" with the new updates you can type "@e" + tab and that will activate the search mode. Otherwise, e+space would work too.

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

Josh_B — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 16:02:50 GMT

Hey, thanks for the note! We filed a bug and you can track it here

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

mgw — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 16:32:04 GMT

Good to know! For now, I have browser.urlbar.scotchBonnet.enableOverride set to false. With that set, I'm able to type my shortcut and then activate it using the tab key. Eventually, I'll make the switch and try to get used to using the space key instead of tab. 🙂

Thank you!

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

Astral — Sat, 03 May 2025 15:00:47 GMT

I'm quite satisfied with this new address bar because I like to quickly select the search engine I need through the keyboard. More semantic keywords can make it more convenient for me to use the corresponding search engine. However, there is one aspect that I think is very imperfect. Have you ever considered that when I first input the content I want to search for, and then think about changing the search engine (that is to say, I haven't decided to use the search engine when I input the content)? In the old address bar, we can change it at any time. Just click the mouse once or press Alt+↓ to reselect the search engine! This is very free, isn't it? But with the new address bar, it seems that I can only click the button to change the search engine with the mouse to expand the list of search engines. This is not efficient at all. I hate this. Could we provide a quick operation so that the search engine list can be expanded immediately without the need for mouse clicks?

Text.

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

Astral — Sat, 03 May 2025 15:01:00 GMT

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

Astral — Sat, 03 May 2025 15:21:35 GMT

We can retain all the other updates of the address bar this time. However, since so many users have raised objections to this decision in the discussion, can we move the search engine list back to the bottom? Rather than folding it into a button? I think it really affects the efficiency of switching search engines in certain scenarios and for some users. The interaction between pc and mobile touchscreen devices is different. I noticed that in the new version of edge browser, Microsoft also referred to the design of putting the search engine below the search suggestions. So I don't think this is a bad design. Now I also tend to revert to the address bar of the old version

Text.

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

Astral — Sat, 03 May 2025 15:22:06 GMT

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

Astral — Sat, 03 May 2025 15:48:48 GMT

For other updates, I think it does improve efficiency, such as more semantic keywords. There is only one point that puzzles me. Why fold the search engine from the bottom into a unified icon? The interaction of a PC is different from that of a mobile phone or tablet. Our screens are not as wide as those of mobile devices; instead, they are large enough to accommodate all search engines in a single line of space. I noticed that in the new version of edge, Microsoft also introduced a similar design concept. They brought bookmarks and history search below the search suggestions, which indicates that this design is not bad. I hope to restore the search engine to the style of the old version. The other updates of the address bar this time are all very good. A large number of users' objections are all aimed at the issue of search engine folding.

Text.

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

Astral — Sat, 03 May 2025 15:50:53 GMT

Also, regarding improving search efficiency, I have some ideas. We can use the alt+num key combination to quickly switch between different search engines. For instance, if I choose Google as my first search engine and bing as my second, I can use alt+2 to switch to bing and then use alt+1 to switch to Google. What do you think?

Text.

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

Agentvirtuel — Sun, 04 May 2025 07:26:03 GMT

Hello

Pick a search engine with Alt + Up/Down keys https://connect.mozilla.org/t5/discussions/search-box-alt-up-down-shortcut-doesn-t-work/m-p/93627

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

Josh_B — Mon, 05 May 2025 16:42:24 GMT

Hey, thanks for the note! We filed a bug and you can track it here

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

Josh_B — Mon, 05 May 2025 16:44:09 GMT

Hi there, this is interesting and we can certainly investigate. We would have to make sure the shortcut doesn't conflict with other browser or OS shortcuts. In the meantime, we filed a bug to enable Alt + Up/Down for keyboard navigation and you can track it here

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

Jyls — Sat, 17 May 2025 00:26:38 GMT

Moderate annoyance to have to click one extra time to set my search option, much prefer the previous way where the options were lined up along the bottom

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

IvoryAqua — Sat, 17 May 2025 10:34:44 GMT

Firefox is now resetting the scotchBonnet option in about:config at the start of each session so I have to go back and change it each time I re-open Firefox. Please stop trying to force this "unified button" onto those of us who don't want it!

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

Kei_a — Sat, 17 May 2025 11:01:39 GMT

Today I received this update and was horrified. Thank goodness people on Reddit suggested how to revert everything back to the way it was. I'm writing this here only because I'm afraid that the option to revert to the old version through the configs will be completely removed if I don't leave feedback.

For anyone interested, you can revert everything back by going to about:config and switching

browser.urlbar.scotchBonnet.enableOverride

to false.

The only thing this update does for me is make me click extra.

My only complaint about the old system was the placement of the icons—they were located at the bottom, and I had to reach for them through all the suggested search options. It would be great to have the option to place them right under the address bar. The new dropdown menu doesn't even solve this problem—it's quite bulky, and I still have to reach far for what I need.

In addition to the concise "Search in DuckDuckGo," there is now a constantly present search engine icon, which looks pretty bad. Also, for some reason, there is a huge prompt before the search engine options saying "This time search through," and I have to drag the mouse through it. It's inconvenient.

I ask to keep the option to return to the old version, or better yet, to add this option in the settings. And if we're being bold, to keep everything as it was with the ability to move the icons right under the address bar. Maybe this can be done somehow through CSS, but I'm not sure.

I am glad that the address bar has improved from a technical standpoint, but the decrease in usability makes this update not worth it.

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

Letumetnihilum — Sat, 17 May 2025 22:54:37 GMT

Unified Search Button: A new, easy-to-access button in the address bar helps you switch between search engines and search modes with ease. This feature brings the simplicity of mobile Firefox to your desktop experience

"This feature brings the simplicity of mobile Firefox to your desktop experience" The simplicitiy of the mobile experience does not translate to desktop.

My Firefox recently updated to version 138.0.3 (64-Bit), with this change in the adress bar. I find it cumbersome and annoying, not simple at all. I predominantly use my computer, and in the browser's previous versions all available search engines used to be all lined up under the URL bar, which made it easy and efficient and simple to chose the one I need by simply pressing the the "down" arrow key after I typed in my search query, and then hit enter. Now having to select a search engine through a drop-down after typing in what I am searching for, and be it a dictionary entry breaks my work flow. It's not simple, at all. I was suggested a temporary work-around for this on reddit, which reverts this change for the current session. I have to reapply the changes in config every time I open Firefox.

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

Letumetnihilum — Sat, 17 May 2025 23:03:44 GMT

Hi!

I am wondering: when you made the change in config, did it stick? I mean, I was suggested the same solution on reddit and immediatly applied it. But, come next day, when I started up my desktop and opened firefox, the adress bar was suddenyl showing the drop-down menu again. I have to change the settings from "true" to "false" in config everytime now when I start Firefox.

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

cbellini — Sat, 17 May 2025 23:28:41 GMT

@Letumetnihilum This will be resolved next week such that the setting that you apply in the config persists across browser restarts.

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

MGrt46 — Sun, 18 May 2025 03:00:17 GMT

It's nice when you introduce new features, but removing the old ones?

It's basically just a quick toggle to change your default search engines, which honestly is useless for me.

That's all fine, but why did you remove the search options (icons)below the address bar?

In the old options, I can simply press "F6" and type the search term, and press "down" to select the search engines (when I'm not sure what search engines I want to use to type the shortcut first). Now, I would have to click the stupid icon to do it? That's dumb.

And hiding the icons behind a drop-down menu also means no "middle-clicking" on the icon to open the search in a new Tab. Which is useful when a web page doesn't allow for right-clicking or selecting text is not possible, so you can stay on the webpage, type what you see, and just middle-click the search icon to open the search on a new Tab.

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

Agentvirtuel — Mon, 19 May 2025 06:04:31 GMT

Hello

Apparently, you are under Studies https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/shield

Type about:studies into your address bar to see a list of your studies.
Click the Remove button next to the study you want to opt out of.

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

firefoxfan123 — Mon, 19 May 2025 15:15:18 GMT

I agree with this. Extremely disrespectful. I had to make an account to complain about this.

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

chatbugger — Mon, 19 May 2025 18:23:34 GMT

I never have given feedback on firefox at all in my 20+ years of use. I hate this enough for that to change today. Was considering dumping the browser entirely until I found the fix.

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

IvoryAqua — Tue, 20 May 2025 12:42:52 GMT

All of the studies pertaining to the Address Bar/unified search button are already marked as complete. Are there other studies relevant to the address bar that I'm missing?

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

Agentvirtuel — Tue, 20 May 2025 13:47:39 GMT

Hello

What do you mean?

@IvoryAqua wrote:
the address bar that I'm missing?

An subject https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1512640

Otherwise and for information purposes.

You can try

user_pref("browser.urlbar.scotchBonnet.enableOverride", false);

Copy/paste the code into Notepad
Save
Type: All files
user.js

Go to your profile folder https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/profiles-where-firefox-stores-user-data#w_how-do-i-find-my-profile

Move user.js to your profile folder

Restart Firefox

Other information to try
Firefox policies https://mozilla.github.io/policy-templates
Preferences https://mozilla.github.io/policy-templates/#preferences

The Enterprise Policy Generator https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/enterprise-policy-generator helps to create the configuration file.

Specify user-defined preferences (about:config)

{ "policies": { "Preferences": { "browser.urlbar.scotchBonnet.enableOverride": { "Status": "locked", "Type": "boolean", "Value": false } } } }

Copy/paste the code into Notepad
Save
Type: All files
policies.json

Create the distribution folder
Move policies.json to the distribution folder
Move the distribution folder to the folder where Firefox is installed

Use the Troubleshooting Information page to help fix Firefox issues
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/use-troubleshooting-information-page-fix-firefox

Application Binary: Shows where Firefox is installed

Restart Firefox

Your browser is being managed by your organization, that's normal.

Use the Troubleshooting Information page to help fix Firefox issues

Enterprise Policies: This shows you if your browser is being managed by Windows Group Policy or a policies.json file. If enterprise policies are managing Firefox, clicking on Active will show you a list of the policies that are currently active on Firefox.

Firefox policies affect all profils

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

Yinmin — Wed, 21 May 2025 07:24:19 GMT

How are things that make it worse, exciting? Do you mean as in, infuriating? Why are the buttons gone from the bottom of the results. Clicking the drop down in the adressbar is a lot more clicks and navigation. The buttons on the bottom where perfect. Why in gods earth remove it?

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

Yinmin — Wed, 21 May 2025 07:30:46 GMT

perfectly summerized

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

_wojtek — Thu, 22 May 2025 20:33:23 GMT

Argh! I just got some "amazing" update that basically f-uped the whole address bar for no sane reason. Why remove nice list of available search options at the end of the dropdown and force it on the top?! That adds utterly stupid item and breaks the list of suggestions (that otherwise work briliantly)?! FFS…

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

Anonymous — Sat, 24 May 2025 12:40:25 GMT

Any plans to support the feature on added search engines?

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

DeusExCalamus — Sat, 24 May 2025 20:49:12 GMT

I can, without a doubt, say that I've never not wanted to see the URL for my search over the search term in the URL bar, so this is a bad change for me.

Also, I've never not wanted to see the protocol in use, regardless of http/https/gopher/whatever in the URL, so hiding it by default is stupid. I've had the trimurls option set to false since the preference was available however many years ago.

Lastly, I've never wanted to be able to search settings/etc from the URL bar (notice how I keep calling it that, and not the search/whatever bar), so that setting is another miss for me. I hope the scotchbonnet about:config override doesn't get removed at some point, but, knowing Mozilla, it probably will.

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

Heyero — Sun, 25 May 2025 00:18:54 GMT

I've been using Firefox for almost twenty years (20!) and I felt compelled to create a Mozilla account just to express my complete disdain and disapproval of the changes recently introduced to the address bar. Whoever decided to impose such an unpopular "upgrade" is either out of their mind, or has been corrupted by someone who wants to actively sabotage Firefox and has a clear interest in making its users flee to other browsers.

An address bar should do one thing: show the address of the loaded page. It is an ADDRESS bar. Not a "Search-History-Command-@Whatever-ObfuscatedAddress.." bar.

It shouldn't hide parts of the URL itself under the guise of "simplification". It shouldn't be a "command center", "search" or "productivity" hub. Mozilla itself is willingly and deliberately introducing confusion, under the pretext of said "simplification". The new address bar is a terrible hodgepodge of badly mashed ideas, and it's anything but practical and intuitive. At least it can be easily disabled through the scotchBonnet toggle.

For the first time, I am seriously considering switching to another browser. Should the old address bar, so simple, practical, and wonderfully minimalist, be replaced by this monstruosity, imposed by someone who doesn't have the slightest clue about what users actually want, I will immediately jump ship. Firefox dwindling market share is clearly a reflection of the absolute disconnection from reality of those who are taking such increasingly disastrous development decisions, potentially in bad faith.

Please do the right thing and kill off this abomination. Leave the old address bar alone!

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

KuonjiAlice — Wed, 28 May 2025 17:36:39 GMT

This is a very bad change to the URL bar. Switching between search engines has also become inconvenient. You've made Firefox increasingly similar to Chrome, making it harder to use—you shouldn't have implemented this new URL bar design!!!

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

KuonjiAlice — Wed, 28 May 2025 17:38:16 GMT

It‘s awful. This is a very bad change to the URL bar. Switching between search engines has also become inconvenient. You've made Firefox increasingly similar to Chrome, making it harder to use—you shouldn't have implemented this new URL bar design!!!

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

rifaz_j — Fri, 30 May 2025 06:50:45 GMT

Edit: I'm glad the use case I described is being tracked here: https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1962200

---

I appreciate the work and the research done to bring this change and I also do hope that it fixes the problem that warranted this change. I'm sure that all the use cases that used to exist before - have been tried to covered up. However,

With the new change, I cannot use `<Alt>+<Down>` or `<Alt>+<Up>` _whenever_ I want to change the search engine. Emphasis on whenever, as it's a key word.

It happens many times that _after_ typing in a search query, or going _midway_ in typing a search query, I think about where it's best to make the search. With the way the old Address Bar used to work, it was easy, and I did not have to raise my hand away from the keyboard. Neither did I have to compensate for the lack of forethought (if I want to keep my hands on the keyboard).

With the new Address Bar, if I don't fore-think; in the middle of typing my search query, I have to:
a. Select my whole search query
b. Cut it
c. Type `@search_engine`
d. Then, paste my search query back in the Address Bar.

Previously, it was only a matter of using the search shortcuts (mentioned above) whenever I wanted to change the search engine. I really hope this use case gets considered in the current design.

Thanks again for the work!

---

By the way, the old Address Bar can be restored by toggling `browser.urlbar.scotchBonnet.enableOverride` from `about:config`. For now, I am using this setting as a temporary workaround.

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

rifaz_j — Fri, 30 May 2025 06:48:02 GMT

Exactly. The thing with the Desktop version is, I _don't_ want the simplicity of the mobile version in the Desktop version!

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

DonReba — Fri, 30 May 2025 16:33:11 GMT

The unified search button looks like what the search box button used to be, before it got simplified. I wish it could be moved to the search box.

Re: Address Bar Updates - Now Live in Firefox Nightly

Agentvirtuel — Sun, 01 Jun 2025 09:21:41 GMT

Hello

Eventually, for those who are interested.
You can test, browser.newtabpage.activity-stream.improvesearch.handoffToAwesomebar
1 - Go to Configuration Editor for Firefox https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/about-config-editor-firefox
2 - Enter a search term browser.newtabpage.activity-stream.improvesearch.handoffToAwesomebar