topic Re: Small search bar on the right side, I could select a search engine by pressing the Tab key. in Discussions

Small search bar on the right side, I could select a search engine by pressing the Tab key.

bigkinggg — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 07:02:07 GMT

Previously, after typing into the small search bar on the right side, I could select a search engine by pressing the Tab key. Now, however, when I press the Tab key, I am unable to switch between different search engines. It used to be much more practical...

The new version 149.0 is terrible.

Re: Small search bar on the right side, I could select a search engine by pressing the Tab key.

Agentvirtuel — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 07:08:39 GMT

Hello

Is it, your question.

https://connect.mozilla.org/t5/discussions/update-149-0-made-searching-more-difficult/td-p/120608

Re: Small search bar on the right side, I could select a search engine by pressing the Tab key.

bigkinggg — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 07:46:11 GMT

Yes. thanks. I found solution in reddit.

Solution;

In "about:config", set "browser.search.widget.new" to false.

Re: Small search bar on the right side, I could select a search engine by pressing the Tab key.

PaulFirefoxUX — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 21:18:25 GMT

Hello!

I'm a Firefox UX designer, new on the Search & Suggest team (these design changes were made before I joined the team).

The old version was removed as the default because it caused issues for accessibility. (i.e. problems for people who physically can’t use a mouse and have no choice but to use an alternative navigation method).
I'm keen to learn what could be improved about the new design that could make it as good as – or even better – than the old version for everybody.

In the new version, press alt-downarrow to open the list of search engines, and type the first letter of a search engine to select it.

Could you go into more detail about what made the old version better for you, and how you would use it?
What is it that you'd miss? The icons being visible by default? The icons not having labels? The icons being shown in a grid? The keyboard shortcuts? How many search engines do you have listed?

If the new menu could show a grid of icons instead of a list, and somehow be pinned open by default (not in its current position of course) then would that help?

I’m here to listen to your feedback and take it back to the team to advocate for your needs. I can’t get it reverted, but I can make other changes.

And again, I wasn’t on the team when this was designed so I’d appreciate your help to make this work better for you.

Thanks!