Firefox, one of the most popular and privacy-focused web browsers, is packed with features that can enhance your browsing experience. While many users are familiar with its basic functionality, there are several hidden gems within Firefox that can make your browsing faster, more secure, and more enjoyable. In this article, we’ll explore 10 Firefox features you might not know about, helping you unlock the full potential of your browser.
- Picture-in-Picture Mode
One of Firefox’s most convenient features is Picture-in-Picture (PiP) mode, which allows you to watch videos in a floating window while browsing other tabs. This is particularly useful for multitasking or watching videos without interruption. To use PiP:
- Right-click on the video you want to watch.
- Select Picture-in-Picture.
- The video will pop out into a small, movable window that stays on top of other content.
PiP works with most video content, including YouTube, Vimeo, and other media sites, making it easier to keep watching videos while you continue browsing.
- Firefox Containers
Firefox Containers let you separate different parts of your online life by keeping your activities in isolated “containers.” This feature helps you maintain privacy and reduce tracking across websites. For example, you can keep your work and personal browsing in different containers. Each container has its own cookies, sessions, and history, which means sites won’t link your activities across containers. To use Containers:
- Install the Firefox Multi-Account Containers extension.
- Create containers for different activities (e.g., work, shopping, social media).
This feature is especially useful for users concerned about privacy and for those who need to manage multiple accounts on the same website.
- Enhanced Tracking Protection (ETP)
Firefox has a built-in feature called Enhanced Tracking Protection (ETP) that blocks trackers, cookies, and scripts that try to follow your online behavior. By enabling this feature, Firefox provides you with enhanced privacy by stopping companies from tracking your activity across multiple websites. To enable ETP:
- Go to Settings > Privacy & Security.
- Under Enhanced Tracking Protection, choose between Standard, Strict, or Custom protection levels.
This feature is one of the reasons why Firefox is considered one of the most privacy-friendly browsers.
- Screenshot Tool
Firefox includes a built-in Screenshot tool that allows you to capture full pages or parts of your screen directly in the browser. Unlike traditional screenshot methods, Firefox’s tool lets you capture an entire web page, even the parts not visible on the screen. To take a screenshot:
- Click the three horizontal lines in the upper-right corner and select Web Developer > Take a Screenshot.
- Select whether you want to capture the entire page or just a visible portion.
Once you’ve taken your screenshot, you can download it or copy it to your clipboard for easy sharing.
- Web Developer Tools
If you’re a web developer, Firefox’s Web Developer Tools provide a range of useful features for inspecting and debugging websites. These tools include:
- Inspector: View and edit the HTML and CSS of a page.
- Console: Log messages and run JavaScript.
- Network Monitor: Track network requests and resources.
- Performance Tools: Analyze performance issues.
To access these tools, simply click the three lines in the top-right corner and select Web Developer. These tools are invaluable for testing and debugging web pages.
- Firefox Lockwise
Firefox Lockwise is a built-in password manager that securely stores your passwords and allows you to access them on any device where you’re signed into Firefox. It also works with the Firefox mobile app. To access Lockwise:
- Click the three horizontal lines and go to Logins and Passwords.
- You’ll see all your saved passwords and can easily manage them.
Lockwise syncs your passwords across devices, offering you a safe and convenient way to store and retrieve your login information.
- Reader Mode
Firefox’s Reader Mode strips away all the distractions from a webpage and presents the content in a simplified, easy-to-read format. This feature is great for reading long articles, blog posts, or news stories without being distracted by ads, pop-ups, or sidebars. To activate Reader Mode:
- Click the reader icon (book icon) in the address bar, or press F9.
- The page will transform into a clean, distraction-free layout.
You can adjust the font size, style, and background color within Reader Mode to suit your reading preferences.
- Customizable Toolbar
Firefox allows you to customize your toolbar by adding, removing, or rearranging buttons and tools for easy access. This can save you time by placing your most-used features in a convenient spot. To customize your toolbar:
- Click the three horizontal lines and select Customize Toolbar.
- Drag and drop icons to the toolbar or remove ones you don’t need.
This feature helps you streamline your browsing experience by putting all your favorite tools at your fingertips.
- Dark Mode
For those who prefer a darker interface, Firefox offers a built-in Dark Mode that can reduce eye strain, especially in low-light environments. It should be noted that the dark mode is only a display setting and it should not be confused with something that allows the user to access dark web links through Mozilla.
To enable Dark Mode:
- Go to Settings > General.
- Under the Language and Appearance section, choose Dark as the theme.
You can also sync Firefox’s dark mode with your system’s appearance settings, so the theme automatically adjusts when you switch between light and dark modes on your computer.
- Firefox Sync
Firefox Sync allows you to synchronize your bookmarks, passwords, history, open tabs, and other settings across multiple devices. This is especially useful for users who switch between desktop and mobile devices. To enable Firefox Sync:
- Sign in to your Firefox account.
- Go to Settings > Sync and select what you want to sync (e.g., bookmarks, passwords, etc.).
Once you’ve enabled Sync, all your data will be automatically updated across all devices where you’re signed in to Firefox, ensuring you always have access to your most important information.
Conclusion
Firefox is more than just a simple browser—it’s a robust tool packed with features that can enhance your browsing experience in many ways. Whether it’s the privacy-focused Enhanced Tracking Protection, the convenience of syncing across devices with Firefox Sync, or the ability to block distractions with Reader Mode, Firefox offers numerous features that can make your web browsing safer, faster, and more enjoyable. By exploring these 10 lesser-known features, you can take your Firefox usage to the next level and unlock the browser’s full potential.
