restore old tabs view
I'm not sure why Firefox still bothers to call tabs, "tabs". A tab was originally called that because of its similarity to a filing cabinet's physical tabs where you can see the tab markers and use your thumb to quickly select one. As far as I can see Firefox for Android no longer has tabs. There's no tab bar (and even the URL bar is auto-hidden) and to see the 'tabs' you have to drag down, then select a button and then flip your brain from expecting to see a horizontal row of tabs to a vertical list of them. Similarly, to create a new tab used to involve taping on a plus sign in the same place, right next to the other tabs in the bar. Now, to make a new one you have to redirect your attention from the top of the screen (where tabs have always beenl to a plus sign down the bottom. This smacks of just changing things for the hell of it.
So.... The big ask..... is there any way to get back to the system and layout I'm used to and that I still use without a moment's though when I use Chrome? (Which I'd still rather not do all the time...). I'd like my tabs back please.
All Replies (12)
Or am I mis-rememberring? Has Firefox for Android ever had tabs? I think so....
Now, to make a new one you have to redirect your attention from the top of the screen (where tabs have always beenl to a plus sign down the bottom.
Then why don't you move the tab bar to the top? It's configurable.
I'm not sure what you mean by "move the tab bar to the top". I don't even have a tab bar, that was the point of my post! I do have an *address bar*, which has the tiny icon telling you how many tabs are open (but hidden) and that's configurable in the settings (they call it the "toolbar" for some reason), but it's already at the top, except for the " for me. All except the "new tab" icon, which floats at the bottom and seems immovable.
This should have been 'move the url bar to the top', which would include the plus sign to open the tab overview.
Afraid it doesn't for me. With the URL bar at the top (like I've always had it) the new tab + button stays firmly in the bottom right corner. Others have complained that it's in the wrong place /not moveable on github as well. Eg https://github.com/mozilla-mobile/fenix/issues/14403 or https://github.com/mozilla-mobile/fenix/issues/14908
Hi Andy
We’re sorry that you’re unhappy with the new Firefox. The user interface is a big change but was necessary based on collective feedback so far. We are continually working to improve it and hope you will continue using it and providing feedback that will help us make Firefox better.
Seburo said
Hi Andy We’re sorry that you’re unhappy with the new Firefox. The user interface is a big change but was necessary based on collective feedback so far. We are continually working to improve it and hope you will continue using it and providing feedback that will help us make Firefox better.
~Well, I've tried really hard to get used to it, but I still HATE it. I constantly use both Firefox and Chrome on both Android and PC and I have to get used to ONE of them being different. If you want to keep everyone happy and retain your reputation for being the most configurable browser (even though you single-handedly destroyed every useful plug-in I used) then why not make the tab bar optional? For me, without it, switching between tabs has become a tiresome waste of time and energy.
I'll miss you when I've gone.
Thank you for your feedback.
You can move the address bar using the option under Customise in the Settings section of the Firefox for Android menu.
Hi, thank you for your reply, but my post is about the TAB bar, not the URL/Address bar. Secondly, moving the Address bar has already been discussed further up here, where I say I've already moved that bar back to the top. But actually that enhances my argument... If the Address bar can be customisable, why can't the Tab bar?
Andy_P said
Or am I mis-rememberring? Has Firefox for Android ever had tabs? I think so....
I think you are mis-remembering. I still have the old Firefox on my phone, and it has no tab bar. If you click the numbered square to see your tabs, you get your tabs showing in a grid, not a vertical list. In the old browser, when you are looking at your tabs, there is a plus sign at the top to be used to add a tab. In the new browser you have the plus sign in the lower right corner as you mentioned.
That's really useful info. Thank you! It will explain why I'm not likely to see desktop (and Chrome mobile) tabs anytime soon!
Hi
I think that this thread has reached a conclusion so I am going to close it now, but if you have any further questions please feel free to ask in a new thread and we will do our best to help.