Mobile glow-up: meet the new Firefox iOS Toolbar and Menu

[andyf]

Exciting updates are coming to Firefox on iOS! We’ve redesigned both the toolbar and the menu to give you a smoother, more intuitive browsing experience. This overhaul not only improves functionality but also enhances security and accessibility, making Firefox easier to use for everyone.

Here’s a quick look at the new toolbar features:

• One-Tap New Tab: Start a new task without disrupting your current tab.
• Faster Sharing: The share button is now conveniently placed on the toolbar.
• Improved Navigation: Quickly move through tab history by long-pressing the back or forward arrows.
• Enhanced Accessibility: Larger, easier-to-tap icon buttons, optimized for both right- and left-handed users.

Alongside the toolbar, we’re also revamping the menu. Here’s what’s new:

• Better Organization: A streamlined menu with faster access to accounts, settings, and tools.
• Intuitive Sub-Menus: Frequently used tools on the main menu, with additional features in sub-menus.
• Clearer Layout: Grouped options and clearer labels for easier navigation.
• Private Browsing Anytime: Quickly switch to private browsing and back again from the menu. 

This update is designed to make Firefox faster, smoother, and more accessible for all users.

Please note that this feature is already available in Firefox iOS Beta 133 as an experiment and it is still in development. You can join our Beta using Test Flight. We encourage you to try the feature and if you encounter any bugs or issues, we would love to hear from you. You can report bugs here.

[andyf]

We are currently investigating steps to reproduce the following bug and would greatly appreciate your help. If you encounter this issue, please let us know by sharing any details here.

[Blisterexe]

looking good! Looks like the same menu as the new one that's in android's nightly, which is nice, consistency is important.

[myspace]

One tap new tab 👍

[lackey]

Adding a bookmark takes three taps in the new UI? It only took two before.

I really hope that doesn't get pushed out to all browsers.

[Synchro]

Could this part be redesigned to replace ">" with the icons of saving actions? This would save a tap and make it easier to reach for these options.

[andyf]

Thanks for the feedback! We will evaluate this with the team.

[SouthFresh]

How can I disable the inability to edit/see a URL within search results? There's already a place to insert search terms. The modification to the URL bar for search sites is a security flaw.

[paraipan]

I don't believe it's possible for now, but it'd be good as an extra option to have for users that want this. Could you please open an issue with a feature request?

[SouthFresh]

I have submitted this as an issue on Github since this should at worst be optional.

[Axtypitos]

Great Job Andy!

Not only that. You should make it like a small pop-up notification that says "(Name of employee) has brought you ....such and such optimizations). A personal touch is important. It will resonate with users.

From the godfather of "Mozilla Firefox". (I am the one who named the browser)

Ioannis Papadopoulos

[Skywind]

I don't know how other people feel about accessing bookmarks on Firefox Mobile, but I really think it's really troublesome.

Currently, the bookmark folder button is hidden in the setting menu. This means that every time when I want to open a bookmark, I have to click several times to access it. If I also put a bookmark in a folder, then it will take me up to 6 clicks to find that bookmark!!!

SIX TIMES of clicking, and I have to do that every time I open a bookmark. Gosh! I don't know how you guys feel. But I'm really getting kinda crazy about this design logic. How can I handle tons of bookmarks with such a complicated process? I feel lucky that PC Firefox doesn't follow such design, or I'll just use Edge for good.

[andyf]

Hey! I would love to hear more about your experience and use-case. The bookmarks folder can be accessed from the Menu if you are in a website. Also, we recently updated the homepage and you can access bookmarks from there. 

We are working on more improvements on the bookmarks page that will go live on Q1 2025! Please feel free to message me with your feedback and I will give it to the team.

Thanks!

[Veilpon]

But how do I go back, forward and refresh my page?

[mako1]

Is there an ETA or fiscal quarter projection date as to when it may officially release on iOS?

[andyf]

We estimate to roll it out to all users around Fx 135 (February). I can keep you posted!

[sjdfnsdkfjods]

that 'send to device' button was nice to be available handy....

[andyf]

Please see my answer below! Hope that solves your issue 🙏🏻

[supaphly42]

I hate that Send to Device is now buried. Took me a while to find it, and it's several more clicks than previously. I use the feature a lot to send something I find interesting or just need to take care of on a computer to my desktop.

[andyf]

Hi! Thank you for your feedback! You can find the "Send to Device" option in the Share menu and can be accessed with two clicks via the new share button on the updated iOS toolbar. Let me know if you're able to find it and share your experience.

We've organized the options by functionality to make them easier to find and to create a less cluttered menu.

[ohsto]

it was not easy or intuitive to find (i had to google it and eventually found this thread), because i would not assume a firefox-only option to be in an ios menu rather than an in-browser menu. the menu did not seem cluttered before and now it takes 2x the taps to get to the share button. i use the share between devices feature all the time, but this new layout is really a hassle to navigate.

[andyf]

Hi everyone! 

Thank you so much for your feedback here! I’d like to invite you to this post: Let’s shape the future of Firefox Mobile together! 🦊, where you can share your thoughts about customization options. Your voices truly help us make Firefox better for everyone.

Thanks!
Andy

[LoossSS]

While working on this redesign, did you by any chance have a look at gesture navigation for the tab bar ? https://connect.mozilla.org/t5/ideas/swipe-between-open-tabs-on-ios/idi-p/2088

• Swipe left/right to switch between tabs
• Swipe left within the last tab to open a new tab
• Swipe up to open the tab overview

Thanks

[FoxyMoz]

We need the Share button out of the menu, right on the screen. It’s not only for social sharing — also to save to Notes, cloud, email… Hope it gets added to the URL bar soon. 

[flamero]

In the most recent patch the new tab + in toolbar changed to home icon which does not open a new tab. Also the share button next to url was buried in menu.

Whish this had more customization options so my UX would not be at the whims of devs and designers who decide change the UI every few months.