The newest update from Firefox now includes a great feature for all Android foldables and tablets, inspired by iPadOS.

December 3, 2024 Android, News


What you need to know

  • The latest Firefox update introduces a long-time iPadOS feature that will enhance web browsing on Android foldables and tablets to match the experience on iPads.
  • With Firefox for Android version 133, desktop sites will now load by default on larger Android devices.
  • This change positions Firefox as a more attractive option compared to Chrome, which only defaults to desktop pages on select Android tablets.

Firefox for Android is gaining a new feature that will improve the web browsing experience on Android foldables and tablets. The latest version, Firefox for Android version 133, will automatically load webpages in desktop mode on all large devices, including foldables and tablets. Mozilla announced this change in the release notes for Firefox for Android v133, as first reported by 9to5Google.

The release notes state, “Desktop mode browsing is now enabled by default for large devices.” Users can control this feature through Settings in ‘Site settings,’ previously named ‘Site permissions.’

This change is significant as Firefox becomes the first major Android browser to load desktop sites by default on all large Android devices. This mirrors the functionality available on iPadOS for years, where iPads present themselves as macOS clients to web providers. Firefox’s universal support for large Android devices will make it a top choice for those seeking the best browsing experience on their tablets and folding phones.

Split-screen multitasking on Pixel 9 Pro Fold

Not even Chrome supports this Firefox feature on foldables.
(Image credit: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)

Chrome currently defaults to desktop mode on “premium” Android tablets, limiting the browsing experience. Additionally, Chrome does not support desktop sites by default on folding phones, even on top models like the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6.

See also  The recent Microsoft outage may not have impacted you, but it's important to be prepared for future outages.

While the default desktop site behavior on large Android devices is the main highlight of Firefox for Android v133, there is another notable change. Clipped content in Private Browsing mode will now be categorized as “sensitive content,” and on Android 13 or higher devices, Firefox will hide clipboard notifications for privacy.

Importantly, Firefox does not restrict the default desktop site preferences to high-end devices as Chrome has done since 2023. This means that users can now enjoy desktop mode in Firefox without manual activation on their Android foldables and tablets after updating to Firefox for Android v133.