firefox-android-dev?

[aspindle]

wondering if there is a dev edition of firefox android?
the way I am checking is about:debugging in the url of each firefox-android release.

been looking at these, but getting the feeling it doesn't exist

https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/developer/
https://github.com/mdn/webextensions-examples
https://github.com/mozilla-mobile/fenix/releases
https://github.com/mozilla-mobile/focus-android/releases
https://github.com/fork-maintainers/iceraven-browser
https://github.com/mozilla-mobile/firefox-android/releases

thanks

[cadeyrn]

You're in the issue tracker of the Reference Browser, not of Firefox. And no, there is no "dev edition" of Firefox for Android. I am also not sure what do you expect from such a thing. The Developer Edition of the desktop Firefox is only a rebranded Firefox Beta with very few changed default settings, nothing else. You can't do anything with the Developer Edition that you can't do with a regular Firefox as well.

[aspindle]

Let me rephrase, is there a way to load a custom add-on/extension on any version of Firefox mobile, (Fenix, Focus, or Klar)? Or is that feature specific to desktop and dev?

[cadeyrn]

Focus/Klar does not support add-ons at all. In Firefox for Android, you can install extensions. But again: This is the wrong place for asking these questions. Your questions are not about the Reference Browser.

As a starting point for more information about extensions in Firefox for Android, I recommend reading this article:

https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2023/09/27/test-firefox-android-extensions-and-help-developers-prepare-for-an-open-mobile-ecosystem-in-december/

[aspindle]

Unfortunately, there is no discussion tab on firefox-android. And yes, you can install a "Recommended" set of add-ons on Firefox-Android but I'm really more interested in a custom one that I already have in development. Thanks anyway.

[cadeyrn]

Unfortunately, there is no discussion tab on firefox-android

There is a discussion forum on https://discourse.mozilla.org/

And yes, you can install a "Recommended" set of add-ons on Firefox-Android but I'm really more interested in a custom one that I already have in development.

You obviously did not read the article I linked to.

You are not restricted to the recommended set of add-ons. If you're using Firefox Nightly or Beta, you can use every compatible add-on via a custom collection. This already works since a very long time. Starting in December you will be able to use every add-on, also in stable releases and without the need to use a custom collection. Also, you can already use web-ext to test and debug your in-progress add-on.

[aspindle]

Checked Firefox Android Beta, the restriction is still there. The web-ext route is just as restrictive because it's Beta. Are Firefox Android Nightly releases available anywhere on Github? As far as I can tell it's only available on https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.mozilla.fenix

Edit: looks like you still can't do it in Nightly... so many restrictions, hopefully things change in december

[aspindle]

Firefox claims to care about an open web/ecosystem. Possibly unintentionally restrictive, but there are 3 constraints:

1. about:Debugging on mobile. An extension is a .xpi (zip). Testing via USB is slow and clunky. It’s a file like just like any apk.

2. The Nightly .apk is not a release on Github and can’t be installed on devices such as those running GrapheneOS (AOSP). Preventing the ability to test via USB on those devices.

3. The above two, in conjunction with the limitation of only installing a set of extensions approved by Mozilla, negate the value and importance of an open source web/ecosystem (Principle 7 of the Mozilla Manifesto).