Download Channels

[Uog]

Hello,
I am a Firefox user from Mainland China. I would like to provide feedback on an incredibly frustrating issue: currently, the only official download channel for the Android version of Firefox is Google Play. However, Google Play services are not accessible in this region, which makes it difficult for new users to download and install Firefox, and existing users struggle to ensure timely updates.
Therefore, I sincerely hope that more download options can be provided for users in Mainland China. For instance, adding official direct links to APK installation files on the download homepage would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you! (◍＞◡＜◍)

[rtestard]

Hi @Uog thanks for your feedback.

We recently enabled presence on the HuaWeiAppGallery to work around such issues but this will only solve the issue for HuaWei phones. 

https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1982921 enables a universal APK, something that we did not have before and blocked enabling APK downloads on our website. I agree we should enable APK downloads on our website (not just in China, many Android set-ups won't have the Google Play store) now that we're technically able to ensure that a downloaded APK will run on any Android set-up but updates will always remain an issue and ideally app stores should manage app updates. Top priority should be enabling Fireofx on relevant distribution channels and then allowing users to find the official on our website if no other option is possible. In mainland China in particular do you have suggestions regarding distribution channels that Firefox should be present on with an existing large audience (such as the HuaWei app gallery) ?

[Uog]

Thank you! I can't believe I actually got a response! 

About distribution channels: I’ve put together a list of platforms in Mainland China that should cover nearly all Android devices there. That said, because of China’s strict regulations, actual operation can be quite a hassle.

Also, although the apps are listed on Huawei and Tencent channels, they’re not available inside Mainland China (see the images below.

Reference links:
・ Huawei AppGallery: https://developer.huawei.com/consumer/cn/appgallery
・ OPPO App Market: https://open.oppomobile.com/documentation/page/info?id=10035
・ vivo App Store: https://dev.vivo.com.cn/promote/appStore
・ Xiaomi App Store: https://dev.mi.com/xiaomihyperos/app-distribute
・ Aliyun: https://open.9game.cn
・ Tencent: https://wikinew.open.qq.com/index.html#/iwiki/4007776088

Hope this helps!

[dftf]

@rtestard : currently if users visit https://www.firefox.com/download/all/mobile-release/ it just displays a QR, along with graphics leading to the Apple App Store, or Google Play Store.

Why not let people tap "✏ Edit" next to "Android and iOS", and let the user pick, and then if they select Android, then have options of "Get it from the Google Play Store (recommended)" or "Download the APK directly".

The latter should then ask what language, then what download type required:
Arm64 (most newer phones and tablets)
Arm32 (older phones and tablets)
x64 (Android running on a desktop or laptop PC with an Intel or AMD CPU)

Then just offer the relevant download link from https://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/fenix/releases/159.0.1/android/ (or the latest at that time), as happens for downloads for the desktop version.

[celmir]

Hi there, Uog

I was passing by, exploring discussions and looking for other people having similar concerns as me. Even though I have an entirely different motive to demand such an option, we are both asking quite the same thing. A couple of weeks ago, I shared a similar idea at this url, which was just recently updated by a reply from me. I believe we will have a more focused, hence, effective approach with a higher likelihood of success if we consolidate these discussions, so I thought sharing would not be such a bad idea.

Regards,

Celmir.