Firefox Installation in Chromebook [User Guide]

Do you know the method of Firefox installation in the Chromebook? Chromebook executes Chrome OS, which is the Google Chrome browser. When you move to your Chromebook, the Chrome browser will automatically launch so you can immediately surf the Web. What happens if you are not a fan of Google Chrome? Or probably you are anxious about the data Google is gathering behind your back when you are using its browser. Hopefully, there are lots of options you can install Firefox on Chromebook. Here is how you can do so.

Firefox Installation in Chromebook:

Most of the latest Chromebook comes with compatibility for Android apps. It means that you can install Firefox from the Play Store.

Firefox Installation In Android app

Follow the steps carefully:

Step 1:

Head over to Play Store on your Chromebook.

Step 2:

Then search for Firefox.

There are many Firefox browsers that you can select from, i.e standard Firefox, Firefox Preview, or Firefox Focus. Firefox Focus is the least privacy browser that blocks a huge range of online trackers. On another hand, Firefox Preview is an experimental browser by Mozilla. After looking for a browser with some amazing features, installing the standard Firefox browser is the best bet.

Step 3:

Once the installation completes, you can easily use the Android model of the Firefox browser.

In Android Firefox supports extensions, too, though the choices are quite limited. As it is a mobile browser at its core, you can’t get a good desktop user experience.

Firefox Installation as Linux app

If your Chromebook compatible Linux apps, you can then install the Linux model of desktop Firefox.

Step 1:

If you want to check your Chromebook compatibility Linux app, head over to the menu drawer and open Settings.

Step 2:

In the Settings, look for “Linux.”

Step 3:

If you view the “Linux (beta)” option, then Chromebook installs the Linux app. Tap on it to turn on it (if you can’t do so).

Step 4:

Firefox ESR Installation

Well, the underlying Linux container is executing Debian, but only Firefox ESR is available in its repository.

Step 1:

Head over to the terminal in the menu drawer. Input the following command to install Firefox-ESR.

sudo apt install firefox-esr

When the installation is completed, you should then view a Firefox icon in the dock. You can begin to use Firefox in Chromebook.

The abbreviation of Firefox-ESR is Firefox Extended Support Release. It is a long-term support launch. However, it’s a stable release design for the use of the organization. Releases will be maintained for many years, with point releases contains security updates coinciding with daily Firefox releases. Also, the latest features in the daily Firefox releases can only be made available in the ESR at the other major release, at the last of the current release’s cycle.

Standard Firefox Installation

If you wish to use the daily Firefox release rather than Firefox ESR, here is an easy way to install it in Chromebook.

Step 1:

Initially, install Firefox-ESR. It installs the dependency files needed by Firefox.

sudo apt install firefox-esr

Step 2:

Then, erase Firefox-ESR without erasing its dependencies:

sudo apt remove firefox-esr

Step 3:

Head over to the Mozilla website and install Firefox to your Linux home folder.

Step 4:

Simply extract the tar file to your Home folder using the following command in the Terminal. (Modify the Firefox filename in the command below.)

tar -xvjf firefox-68.0.2.tar.bz

You should then view a Firefox folder.

Step 5:

At last, we are going to make a Firefox desktop icon. In the terminal, input the following:

sudo nano /usr/share/applications/firefox.desktop

In the editor, Ctrl+V the following:

```
[Desktop Entry] Name=Firefox
```
```
Comment=Browse the World Wide Web
```
```
GenericName=Web Browser
```
```
X-GNOME-FullName=Firefox Web Browser
```
```
Exec=/home/USERNAME/firefox/firefox %u
```
```
Terminal=false
```
```
X-MultipleArgs=false
```
```
Type=Application
```
```
Icon=firefox-esr
```
```
Categories=Network;WebBrowser;
```
MimeType=text/html;text/xml;application/xhtml+xml;application/xml;application/vnd.mozilla.xul+xml;application/rss+xml;application/rdf+xml;image/gif;image/jpeg;image/png;x-scheme-handler/http;x-scheme-handler/https;
```
StartupWMClass=Firefox-esr
```
```
StartupNotify=true
```

Modify “USERNAME” to your username in the Linux terminal. However, your username is the name in the terminal before “@penguin.” In my situation, my username is “damienohwj.”

Then save (Ctrl + o) and quit (Ctrl + x) the nano editor.

Step 6:

You should now view a Firefox icon in the menu drawer. (If you can’t view it, restart your Chromebook.) Tap on it and the Firefox browser will launch. Also, it will auto-update itself in the future.

Conclusion:

Here’s all about “Firefox Installation in Chromebook”. As we know that the Chrome browser is the default browser in Chromebook. But it doesn’t mean you have to be stuck with it. With compatibility for Linux or Android apps, you have the choice to install the browser of your choice. It includes Firefox. If you want Vivaldi or Opera, you can install those as well. If you know any other alternative method then we can’t mention here then share it with us!

For further queries and questions let us know in the comment section below!

Also Read:

Firefox Installation in Chromebook [User Guide]