The World of Windows

Waterfox Essentials: Install and Update, Recover user data missing after Waterfox update

2026-06-02T08:05:00.000-05:00

If Waterfox starts up without your bookmarks, passwords, saved tabs and other settings, check whether your data is available in a different profile. This can happen because Waterfox creates a dedicated profile for each Waterfox installation.

To recover your Waterfox data and settings from another profile:

Type about:profiles into the Waterfox address bar and press the Enter key. This will open the About Profiles page.

This page should list at least one profile and could list many. The profile that Waterfox is currently using will have this:

This is the profile in use and it cannot be deleted.

Please do not delete any profiles. Don’t use any Remove buttons. If you have another profile listed on this page, it may contain your missing profile data. You can click the Launch profile in new browser button to open another Waterfox window using that profile. If the other profile doesn’t contain your missing data, simply close that new window. If it does contain the missing data, you can set it as the profile that Waterfox will open by default. Click the Set as default profile button for that profile and Waterfox will use it automatically the next time you open Waterfox.

Waterfox Essentials: Download, Install and Migration, Update Waterfox to the latest release

2026-05-26T11:12:00.000-05:00

Note

If you installed Waterfox from the Microsoft Store, then you will receive Waterfox updates through the Microsoft Store. This article only applies if you installed Waterfox by downloading it from Waterfox. To check for Waterfox updates on the Microsoft Store, see this Microsoft article.

Note

If you use your Linux distribution’s packaged version of Waterfox, you will need to wait for an updated package to be released to its package repository. This article only applies if you installed Waterfox manually (without using your distribution’s package manager).

Waterfox updates automatically by default, but you can always check for updates at any time.

Update Waterfox

Windows and Linux: Click the menu button at the right side of the Waterfox toolbar, go to Help, and select About Waterfox. macOS: In the menu bar, open the Waterfox menu and choose About Waterfox. The About Waterfox window will open.
Waterfox will check for updates automatically. If an update is available, it will be downloaded.
When the download is complete, click Restart to update Waterfox.

Having problems?

If you’re having problems updating Waterfox, download the Waterfox installer, then close Waterfox and run the installer.

All of your data will be preserved.

Configure how Waterfox installs updates

Click the menu button and select Settings.
In the General panel, go to the Waterfox Updates section.

Note

Background updates are disabled in Waterfox. Updates are only checked for and installed while Waterfox is open.

Waterfox Essentials: Download, Install and Migration, Recovering important data from an old profile

2026-05-19T11:03:00.000-05:00

A Waterfox profile stores all of your important data, such as your bookmarks, history, cookies, and passwords. This article explains how to copy the files to a new profile, lists important files in the profile and describes what information is stored in these files.

To sync and share data among multiple profiles and devices, see How do I set up Sync on my computer?.
To switch to another profile to recover missing data and settings, see Recover user data missing after Waterfox update.

Note

Because your preferences and extensions often cause problems, this article does not explain how to copy these between profiles. If you follow the steps in this article, you will have to reinstall your extensions and reconfigure your Waterfox preferences.

Back up your current profile

Before starting it is recommended that you make a complete backup of your existing Waterfox profile in case something goes wrong. Please read the Back up and restore information in Waterfox profiles article for instructions.

Create a new Waterfox profile

Note

This step is not needed if you already have a new Waterfox profile, for example, a profile you previously created or a dedicated profile for another Waterfox installation. For information on how to create a brand new Waterfox profile, please read the Profile Manager - Create, remove or switch Waterfox profiles article.

Copying files between profile folders

Important: Waterfox must be closed down while copying files between profile folders. Also, Step 1 refers to your “old” profile folder - the profile containing data you want to copy to a new profile. If you can’t open a profile from within Waterfox, see Finding your profile without opening Waterfox.

Open your profile folder:
- Click the menu button , click Help and select Troubleshooting Information. The Troubleshooting Information tab will open.
- Under the Application Basics section next to Profile Folder, click Open Folder. Your profile folder will open.
  Note
  
  If you are unable to open or use Waterfox, follow the instructions in Finding your profile without opening Waterfox.
Click the Waterfox menu and select Exit.
Right-click on a file you want to copy and choose Copy.
Open the new Waterfox profile folder as explained in step 1, above.
Right-click inside the profile folder and choose Paste.

Repeat steps 3-5 for each file you wish to transfer over to your new profile folder.

While copying your personal data from an old Waterfox profile to a new Waterfox profile, it is possible that you could copy over the file that is causing the problem you are trying to get rid of! The more files you copy over, the greater the chance of this happening. It is therefore recommended that:

You copy over only the minimal amount of files that contain your most important data that you simply can’t live without.
You copy over a few files at a time, and then check that the problem you are trying to get rid of hasn’t returned.

Note

By default, Windows hides the AppData folder where Waterfox stores your profile. To set Windows to show hidden files and folders, see Show hidden files - Windows Help.

Your important data and their files

Bookmarks, Downloads and Browsing History

places.sqlite

This file contains all your Waterfox bookmarks and lists of files you have downloaded and of websites you have previously visited. For more information, see Bookmarks in Waterfox.

favicons.sqlite

This file stores website favicon images. It’s best to also include this file when recovering the places.sqlite file.

Passwords

Your passwords are stored in two different files, both of which are required:

key4.db

This file stores your key database for your passwords. To transfer saved passwords, you must copy this file along with the following file.

logins.json

Encrypted information about your saved usernames and passwords.

For more information see Password Manager - Remember, delete and edit logins and passwords in Waterfox.

Site-specific preferences

permissions.sqlite

This file stores many of your Waterfox permissions that are decided on a per-site basis. For example, it stores which sites are allowed to, or blocked from setting cookies, installing extensions, displaying popups, etc.

Search engines

search.json.mozlz4

This file stores user-installed search engines. For more information, see Add or remove a search engine in Waterfox.

Personal dictionary

persdict.dat

This file stores any custom words you have added to Waterfox’s dictionary. If you have never added a custom word to the Waterfox dictionary, then you will not have this file.

Autocomplete history

formhistory.sqlite

This file remembers what you have searched for in the Waterfox search bar and what information you have entered into forms on websites. For more information see Control whether Waterfox automatically fills in forms.

Cookies

cookies.sqlite

Cookies are used by websites for a variety of reasons, some of which include keeping you logged in to a website you have previously logged in to, remembering any preferences a website has allowed you to set, authenticating you as a person who has visited a specific website before, etc.

Security certificate settings

cert9.db

This file stores all your security certificate settings and any SSL certificates you have imported into Waterfox.

File types and download actions

handlers.json

This file stores your preferences with respect to what Waterfox does when it comes across known file types, such as whether you want to save a file or open it with a specific application. For more information, see Manage file types and download actions in Waterfox.

Waterfox Essentials: Download, Install and Migration, Profiles - Where Waterfox stores your bookmarks, passwords and other user data

2026-05-12T14:19:00.000-05:00

All of the changes you make in Waterfox, such as your home page, what toolbars you use, extensions you have installed, saved passwords and your bookmarks, are stored in a special folder called a profile. Your profile folder is stored in a separate place from the Waterfox program so that, if something ever goes wrong with Waterfox, your information will still be there. It also means that you can uninstall Waterfox without losing your settings and you don’t have to reinstall Waterfox to clear your information or troubleshoot a problem.

How do I find my profile?

Click the menu button , click Help and select Troubleshooting Information. The Troubleshooting Information tab will open.
Under the Application Basics section next to Profile Folder, click Open Folder. Your profile folder will open.

Note

If you are unable to open or use Waterfox, follow the instructions in Finding your profile without opening Waterfox.

Finding your profile without opening Waterfox

Click the Windows Start button, and select Run….
Type in: **%APPDATA%\Waterfox\Waterfox\Profiles** then click OK. A window will open containing profile folders.
Double-click the profile folder you wish to open. If you only have one profile, its folder would have “default” in the name.

What information is stored in my profile?

Note

This is not a complete list. Only important information is described.

Bookmarks, Downloads and Browsing History:

places.sqlite This file contains all your Waterfox bookmarks and lists of all the files you’ve downloaded and websites you’ve visited.
bookmarkbackups This folder stores bookmark backup files, which can be used to restore your bookmarks.
favicons.sqlite This file contains all of the favicons for your Waterfox bookmarks.

For more information, see Bookmarks in Waterfox and Restore bookmarks from backup or move them to another computer.

Passwords:

key4.db
logins.json

Your passwords are stored in these two files. For more information, see Password Manager - Remember, delete and edit logins and passwords in Waterfox.

Site-specific preferences:

permissions.sqlite
content-prefs.sqlite

These two files store many of your Waterfox permissions (for instance, which sites are allowed to display popups) or zoom levels that are set on a site-by-site basis (see Font size and zoom - increase the size of web pages).

Search engines:

search.json.mozlz4 This file stores user-installed search engines. For more information, see Add or remove a search engine in Waterfox.

Personal dictionary:

persdict.dat This file stores any custom words you have added to Waterfox’s dictionary.

Autocomplete history:

formhistory.sqlite This file remembers what you have searched for in the Waterfox search bar and what information you’ve entered into forms on websites. For more information, see Control whether Waterfox automatically fills in forms.

Cookies:

cookies.sqlite A cookie is a bit of information stored on your computer by a website you’ve visited. Usually, this is something like your site preferences or login status. Cookies are all stored in this file.

DOM storage:

DOM Storage is designed to provide a larger, more secure, and easier-to-use alternative to storing information in cookies.

webappsstore.sqlite Information is stored in this file for websites
chromeappsstore.sqlite This file stores information for about:* pages.

Extensions:

extensions This folder, if it exists, stores files for any extensions you have installed. To learn more about Waterfox extensions and other add-ons, see Find and install add-ons to add features to Waterfox.

Security certificate settings:

cert9.db This file stores all your security certificate settings and any SSL certificates you have imported into Waterfox.

Security device settings:

pkcs11.txt This file stores security module configuration.

Download actions:

handlers.json This file stores your preferences that tell Waterfox what to do when it comes across a particular type of file. For example, these are the settings that tell Waterfox to open a PDF file with Acrobat Reader when you click on it. For more information, see Manage file types and download actions in Waterfox.

Stored session:

sessionstore.jsonlz4 This file stores the currently open tabs and windows. For more information, see Restore previous session - Configure when Waterfox shows your most recent tabs and windows.

Toolbar customization:

xulstore.json This file stores toolbar and window size/position settings. For more information, see Customize Waterfox controls, buttons and toolbars.

User preferences:

prefs.js This file stores customized user preference settings, such as changes you make in Waterfox Options dialogs. The optional user.js file, if one exists, will override any modified preferences.

Containers:

containers.json This file stores the details of containers used by the Container Tabs feature, including those created by extensions such as Facebook Container.

Working with profiles

Profile Manager - Create, remove or switch Waterfox profiles explains how to do things like, create a new profile, set a new default profile, and delete an old profile.
Recover user data missing after Waterfox update explains how to use the Profile Manager to switch profiles, if multiple profiles exist.
Back up and restore information in Waterfox profiles explains how to back up and restore a profile. It also explains how to move your profile information to a different location on your hard drive or to another computer.
Recovering important data from an old profile explains how to copy files to a new profile and includes a list of files that store information useful for recovery.

Waterfox Essentials: Download, Install and Migration, Profile Manager — Create, remove or switch Waterfox profiles

2026-05-05T09:40:00.000-05:00

Profiles keep your Waterfox data separate (bookmarks, passwords, settings, and extensions). Use the Profile Manager to create, rename, remove, or switch profiles.

About profiles

Each profile has its own data and settings. Multiple profiles let you separate work and personal browsing or test changes safely.
Waterfox uses a dedicated profile per installation. Switching channels or downgrading creates or requires a different profile to protect your data.

Open the Profile Manager

Option A — From about:profiles

Type about:profiles in the address bar and press Enter. The About Profiles page opens.
Click Create a New Profile to add one. Use the Launch profile in new browser button to open another profile.

Option B — Command line (Waterfox closed)

Windows: Press Windows+R, type waterfox.exe -P and press Enter.
macOS: Quit Waterfox, open Terminal, run /Applications/Waterfox.app/Contents/MacOS/waterfox -P.
Linux: Quit Waterfox, run waterfox -P from a terminal.

Caution

Close all running Waterfox windows before using the command-line Profile Manager option.

Create a profile

Open about:profiles and click Create a New Profile.
Enter a name and finish the wizard.
Click Launch profile in new browser to start using it.

Rename or remove a profile

Open about:profiles.
Use Rename to change the profile name.
Use Remove to delete a profile. Deleting files removes the profile’s data permanently; keep files if you just want to hide it from the list.

Switch profiles

From about:profiles, click Launch profile in new browser next to the profile you want to use.
You can run multiple profiles at the same time; each opens in its own window set.

Troubleshooting

Waterfox started with default data
- You may be in a new profile. Open about:profiles and switch back, or restore data from a backup.
Downgraded Waterfox and lost data
- Waterfox uses downgrade protection. See What happens to my profile if I downgrade.

Waterfox Essentials: Download, Install and Migration, Install Waterfox on Linux.

2026-04-28T09:37:00.000-05:00

This article only applies to Linux. For instructions to install Waterfox on Windows, see How to install Waterfox on Windows.

Install from your distribution package manager (Recommended)

To install Waterfox using your distribution package manager, please refer to your Linux distribution’s documentation.

This method is recommended because it ensures Waterfox and all the required libraries are installed and configured optimally for your distribution. However, there may be a small delay between the official release of a new version of Waterfox and the moment when your distribution updates the version it distributes. Your distribution may also distribute it without the Waterfox branding.

Install from Flatpak

To install Waterfox from Flatpak, install and configure Flatpak on your computer. Once Flatpak is installed, go to the Waterfox Flathub’s page and click the Install button. Alternatively, you can type the following command in a terminal:

flatpak install flathub net.waterfox.waterfox

Install Waterfox from Waterfox builds (For advanced users)

Before you install Waterfox, make sure that your computer has the required libraries installed. Missing libraries will cause Waterfox to be inoperable.
To install Waterfox with this method, you must be able to login as root or execute sudo commands.
This installation will have priority over the Waterfox version installed through your package manager. To run the version installed with your package manager, you will need to execute the binary from a terminal. To do so in most distributions, open a terminal and type: /usr/bin/waterfox.

Go to the Waterfox download page and click on the Download button.
Open a terminal and go to the folder where your download has been saved. For example:

cd ~/Downloads

Extract the contents of the downloaded file by typing:

tar xjf waterfox-*.tar.bz2

The following commands must be executed as root, or preceded by **sudo**.

Move the uncompressed Waterfox folder to /opt:

mv waterfox /opt

Create a symlink to the Waterfox executable:

ln -s /opt/waterfox/waterfox /usr/local/bin/waterfox

To verify that the installation was successful, you can open the Troubleshooting Information page. In the Application Basics section, the value of Application Binary should be **/opt/firefox/waterfox-bin**.

Waterfox Essentials: Download, install amd migration, Install an older version of Waterfox

2026-04-21T09:32:00.000-05:00

Caution

Waterfox now includes downgrade protection to prevent corruption of user profile data. If you install an older version, you’ll be prompted to create a new Waterfox profile.

If there is a problem with a new version of Waterfox, some people may want to downgrade Waterfox to a previous version but we do not recommend this. The latest Waterfox version includes security updates so downgrading to an older version leaves you more vulnerable to attacks and usually doesn’t fix the problem. This article gives you some alternatives to downgrading and links to older versions of Waterfox if you do choose to downgrade.

Unwanted features in the new Waterfox version

If you dislike new features in the latest version of Waterfox, your first reaction might be to go back to the previous version. Rather than downgrading, try getting used to the new features or ask a question on the support forum, to see if there is a workaround or a way to restore the old behavior without downgrading Waterfox.

Installing a previous version doesn’t fix most problems

Problems with an update are usually not caused by the new version of Waterfox, but rather the update process. In most cases, installing a previous version will not help. Instead, see:

Note

Other problems can be solved with the Refresh Waterfox feature. It restores Waterfox to its default state while saving your essential information.

Ensure all security and security-related software is fully updated. Some security software will need to be upgraded to a new version so that it is compatible with each Waterfox version update.

Optional software bundled with security software also may need updating. Such software may not be essential for your security but, if outdated, may interfere with the use of Waterfox or cause Waterfox to crash.

I still want to downgrade — where can I get the previous version?

If you still want to downgrade, you can visit Waterfox’s directory of older Waterfox versions using the links below. Please note, however, that using older versions can make Waterfox insecure and more vulnerable to attacks and scams. We recommend that you always use the newest version of Waterfox. :::caution Older Waterfox versions pose a significant security risk. :::

Important: By default, Waterfox is set for automatic updates. To prevent Waterfox from automatically updating itself after you install an older version, you’ll need to change your Waterfox update settings: Click the menu button and select Settings. In the General panel, go to the Waterfox Updates section.

Alternatives to downgrading

Instead of downgrading to an older, insecure version of Waterfox and changing your update settings, you should consider these alternatives:

Use the latest version of another browser. If you are not satisfied with the current Waterfox version or it simply is not working right now, there are alternative browsers that you can use to browse the web.

Waterfox Essentials: Download, install amd migration, Importing Safari data into Waterfox

2026-04-14T09:29:00.000-05:00

Note

This article only applies to Mac.

Waterfox allows you to easily and safely import data from other browsers, such as bookmarks, browsing history, and custom preferences. This article explains how to allow Waterfox full disk access to your computer, so that you can import data into Waterfox from your Safari browser on macOS 10.14 (Mojave) or higher.

Starting in moder Waterfox versions, full disk access is only required on macOS 10.14 (bug 1493103).

Before importing: Enable full disk access for the necessary Waterfox applications

If you’re using a Mac and running macOS version 10.14 or higher, please be sure to enable full disk access for the necessary Waterfox applications, before importing data.

Note

Quit Safari and the Waterfox applications that you’re enabling full disk access for, prior to performing the steps below. Otherwise, these changes won’t take effect until these applications have been terminated.

To enable full disk access for the necessary Waterfox applications:

Click the Apple logo on your toolbar and choose System Preferences.
Click Security & Privacy.
Click the Privacy tab.
Click the lock icon to unlock at the bottom of the Security & Privacy dialog window.
Enter the password used to access your Mac when prompted and then click Unlock.
Select Full Disk Access from the left pane.
Click the + button and do the following:
Select Applications from the left pane if not already selected.
Select the appropriate Waterfox application (use the Command key to select multiple applications if necessary) and then click Open.
- The applications display on the right of the Security & Privacy dialog window.

Import data from Safari

After completing the above steps on macOS version 10.14 or higher, import your Safari data into Waterfox by following the instructions here.

After Importing: Disable full disk access

If you’ve enabled full disk access for any Waterfox applications on your Mac and you’re running macOS version 10.14 or higher, please be sure to disable full disk access after a successful import by doing the following:

Click the Apple logo on your toolbar and choose System Preferences.
Click Security & Privacy.
Click the Privacy tab.
Click the lock icon to unlock at the bottom of the Security & Privacy dialog window.
Enter the password used to access your Mac when prompted and then click Unlock.
Select Full Disk Access from the left pane.
Click the corresponding row for the necessary Waterfox application.
Click the - button.
Repeat steps 7 and 8 for all remaining Waterfox applications.
Close the Security & Privacy dialog window once all the necessary Waterfox applications have been removed.

Waterfox Essentials: Download, install and migration, Import data from another browser.

2026-04-07T09:25:00.000-05:00

You can import bookmarks, passwords, browsing history, cookies, and more into Waterfox from other browsers such as Chrome, Edge, Safari, and Internet Explorer. You can do this during first-run or any time later from Waterfox settings.

If you use a Mozilla account with Waterfox on multiple devices, you can also sync data instead of importing. See Set up Sync on your computer.

What you can import

Depending on the source browser and platform, Waterfox can import:

Bookmarks/Favorites
Browsing history
Saved passwords
Cookies (session-related site data)
Other data the source browser supports exporting
Extensions from Google Chrome (when compatible; see below)

Notes:

The exact list of importable items depends on the source browser and may vary by platform.
Some browsers restrict access to certain data or profiles while they are running; close the other browser before importing.

Import during setup

When you first install Waterfox, you may see a prompt to import data. Choose your previous browser, select the items you want to import, and finish.

You can repeat the import later at any time (see below).

Import later (Windows, macOS, Linux)

You can start the import wizard from Waterfox Settings or from the Bookmarks Manager.

Option A — From Settings:

Click the menu button and select Settings.
In the General panel, find the “Import Data” or “Import from Another Browser” option and open it.
Choose the browser you want to import from. If you have multiple profiles (for example, in Chrome), select the correct profile.
Select the types of data to import (bookmarks, history, passwords, cookies, and—when available—extensions).
Click Import and wait for the confirmation.

Option B — From the Bookmarks Manager:

Open the Bookmarks menu and choose Manage Bookmarks (or open Library > Bookmarks > Manage Bookmarks).
In the Manager window, select Import and Backup.
Choose Import Data from Another Browser and follow the steps above.

Where your imported items go

Bookmarks/favorites: Imported into a new folder named after the source browser (for example, “From Google Chrome”) inside your Waterfox bookmarks. You can reorganize them any time.
Passwords: Imported into Waterfox’s Password Manager (about:logins). You can view and manage them from the menu > Passwords.
History and cookies: Integrated with Waterfox’s history and site data.
Extensions from Chrome: See the section below.

Import extensions from Google Chrome

Waterfox can import compatible extensions from Google Chrome when equivalent add-ons are available on Firefox Add-ons. This doesn’t install extensions directly from the Chrome Web Store; instead, Waterfox locates compatible matches and installs them from Firefox Add-ons.

How it works:

During the import wizard, if Waterfox can match one or more of your Chrome extensions to compatible versions on Firefox Add-ons, you’ll see “Extensions” as an importable item.
After import, Waterfox installs the matched extensions and may prompt you to review permissions.
Not all Chrome extensions have compatible versions. Unmatched extensions won’t be imported. You can search for equivalents on Firefox Add-ons.

To import extensions:

Start the import wizard (see “Import later” above).
Choose Google Chrome as the source.
If “Extensions” is shown, select it along with any other items you want to import.
Proceed with the import and follow any on-screen prompts to finish installing the extensions.

Manage imported extensions:

Open the menu, select Add-ons and themes, then Extensions to enable/disable or remove.
To understand permission prompts, see Permission request messages for extensions in Waterfox.

If an extension wasn’t imported:

It may not have a compatible version on Firefox Add-ons yet. Search by name at https://addons.mozilla.org or consider alternatives with similar functionality.
Some extensions store data in ways that cannot be migrated automatically. You may need to reconfigure the extension after installation.

Import from an HTML bookmarks file

If your previous browser can export bookmarks to an HTML file, you can import that file directly:

See Import bookmarks from an HTML file.

Troubleshooting

Import option is missing or greyed out:
- Make sure the source browser is closed.
- Ensure you’re running the latest version of Waterfox.
- If you use multiple profiles in the source browser, confirm which profile contains your data.
Some items did not import:
- Data access may be restricted by the source browser or operating system.
- Try exporting bookmarks to HTML and importing from the file.
- For passwords, consider exporting to a CSV from your old browser (if supported), then use Waterfox’s import password feature (when available on your platform).
Imported duplicates:
- Bookmarks and other items are imported as-is. You can reorganize or remove duplicates in the Bookmarks Manager and Password Manager.

Waterfox Essentials: Find what version of Waterfox you are using

2026-03-31T09:22:00.000-05:00

It’s often important to know what version of Waterfox you are using, to help you troubleshoot a problem or just to know if Waterfox is up to date. Here is how you can find out.

Click the menu button , click Help and select About Waterfox. The About Waterfox window will appear. The version number is listed underneath the Waterfox name.

Here is an example of what the About Waterfox window will look like:

Opening the About Waterfox window will, by default, start an update check. If an updated version of Waterfox is available, it will be automatically downloaded. For more information, see Update Waterfox to the latest release.

Tip

You can also find your Waterfox version on the Troubleshooting Information (about:support) page. Your Waterfox version is listed underneath the Application Basics section of the page.

Source

Waterfox Essentials: Background updates on Windows are disabled in Waterfox

2026-03-24T09:20:00.000-05:00

Waterfox disables background updates on Windows. Updates are checked for and installed only when Waterfox is open.

How to update Waterfox on Windows

Click the menu button at the right side of the Waterfox toolbar, go to Help, and select About Waterfox.
Waterfox will check for updates automatically. If an update is available, it will be downloaded.
When the download is complete, click Restart to update Waterfox.

Background updates are disabled in Waterfox

Background updates are not available by design. Waterfox will update only when the browser is open.

Source

Waterfox Essentials: Back up and restore information in Waterfox profiles

2026-03-17T09:18:00.000-05:00

Waterfox stores your personal data, such as bookmarks, passwords, and extensions, in a profile folder on your computer, in a location separate from the Waterfox program. This article explains how to back up your profile, restore it, or move your profile to a new location or computer.

Note

The Refresh Waterfox feature creates an Old Waterfox Data folder on your desktop, which contains a backup of your old profile folder and its contents. If you recently refreshed Waterfox and still have this folder, you already have a complete profile backup.

To restore or move selected information instead of the entire profile, see Recovering important data from an old profile.
Just Bookmarks? For backing up, restoring, or moving your bookmarks (not other data), see Restore bookmarks from backup or move them to another computer.

Locate your profile folder

Click the menu button , click Help and select Troubleshooting Information. The Troubleshooting Information tab will open.
Under the Application Basics section next to Profile Folder, click Open Folder. Your profile folder will open.

Note

If you are unable to open or use Waterfox, follow the instructions in Finding your profile without opening Waterfox.

Backing up your profile

To back up your profile, first close Waterfox if it is open and then copy the profile folder to another location.

Locate your profile folder, as explained above.
Close Waterfox (if open): Click the Waterfox menu and select Exit.
Go to one level above your profile’s folder, i.e. to %APPDATA%\Waterfox\Waterfox\Profiles\
Right-click on your profile folder (e.g. xxxxxxxx.default), and select Copy.
Right-click the backup location (e.g. a USB-stick or a blank CD-RW disc), and select Paste.

Restoring a profile backup

Click the Waterfox menu and select Exit.
If your existing profile folder and profile backup folder have the same name, simply replace the existing profile folder with the profile backup, then start Waterfox. Important: The profile folder names must match exactly for this to work, including the random string of 8 characters. If the names do not match or if you are restoring a backup to a different location, follow the steps below.

Restoring to a different location

If the profile folder names do not match or if you want to move or restore a profile to a different location, do the following:

Completely close Waterfox: Click the Waterfox menu and select Exit.
Use the Waterfox Profile Manager to create a new profile in your desired location, then exit the Profile Manager.
Note

If you just installed Waterfox on a new computer, you can use the default profile that is automatically created when you first run Waterfox, instead of creating a new profile.
Locate the backed-up profile folder on your hard drive or backup medium (e.g., your USB stick).
Open the profile folder backup (e.g., the xxxxxxxx.default backup).
Copy the entire contents of the profile folder backup, such as the mimeTypes.rdf file, prefs.js file, bookmarkbackups folder, etc.
Locate and open the new profile folder as explained above and then close Waterfox (if open).
Paste the contents of the backed up profile folder into the new profile folder, overwriting existing files of the same name.
Start Waterfox.

Source

Waterfox Essentials: Export login data from Waterfox

2026-03-10T09:16:00.000-05:00

If you want to back up your saved usernames and passwords or move them to a different application, the Waterfox password management feature allows you to export this data to a .csv (comma separated values) file.

Caution

Your passwords in the exported file will not be encrypted and will be in a readable form to anyone who can view this file. Do not upload online, email or share the exported file. Delete this file when finished.

You can also import login data from another browser.

Export usernames and passwords

Click the menu button to open the menu panel.
Click Logins and Passwords. The Waterfox about:logins page will open in a new tab.
Click the logins menu icon (three dots), then click Export Logins….
A dialog box will appear to remind you that passwords are saved as readable text. Click the Export… button to continue.
- You may be prompted to enter your Primary Password, if enabled, when accessing stored passwords.
You can choose the file name and location where this exported data will be saved.

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Waterfox Essentials: Tab preferences and settings

2026-03-03T08:13:00.001-06:00

This article describes Waterfox Options related to how tabs work.

To review or change tab settings:

Click the menu button and select Settings.
Select the General panel and go to the Tabs section.

Ctrl+Tab cycles through tabs in recently used order: Select this setting if you want to use the Ctrl + Tab keyboard shortcut to switch through open tabs in the order you viewed them rather than in the order they appear in the Waterfox window. This is the default setting in new Waterfox profiles.

Note

If you want to use Ctrl + Tab to switch to the tab next to the current tab and Ctrl + Shift + Tab to switch to the previous tab, deselect this setting (clear the checkbox).
Open links in tabs instead of new windows: This option controls whether links from other applications or from web pages which request to open them in new windows are opened in a new window or a new tab in the most recent window.

Note

If you have chosen to open pages in new tabs, Waterfox will ignore this option and will open a new window from a link if the page author specified that the new window should have a specific size, because some pages can only be displayed correctly at a specific size.
When you open a link in a new tab, switch to it immediately: When you middle-click on a Web link (or hold down Ctrl while clicking with the left mouse button), the page will be opened in a new tab. That page will not be displayed and will load in a background tab. Check this setting to load and display the page in a new foreground tab instead.
(If applicable) Warn you when closing multiple tabs: This option is only shown if you disabled the warning dialog Waterfox displays to confirm your choice to close a window with multiple tabs (shown below). Check this setting to re-enable the warning, to prevent accidentally closing the entire window when you only intend to close the current tab.

(If applicable) Warn you when opening multiple tabs might slow down Waterfox: This option is only shown if you disabled the warning dialog Waterfox displays to confirm your choice to open multiple tabs at once (shown below). Check this setting to re-enable the warning, to prevent accidentally slowing down Waterfox while loading a large number of tabs.
Show tab previews in the Windows taskbar: When you move your pointer over the Waterfox icon in the Windows taskbar, Windows will show you a preview of the Waterfox window. With this option check marked, Windows will show you a separate preview for each tab.

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Waterfox Essentials: Remove the Other Bookmarks folder from the Bookmarks Toolbar

2026-02-24T08:11:00.000-06:00

Your bookmarks Library contains a folder called “Other Bookmarks”. (To learn more, see the Bookmarks in Waterfox article.) An Other Bookmarks folder will appear at the end of the Bookmarks toolbar if the “Other Bookmarks” folder in your Library contains any bookmarks. This is done to make it easier to find bookmarks stored in this folder.

If you’d like to remove the Other Bookmarks folder from the Bookmarks toolbar, use these instructions:

Right-click on a blank spot in the Bookmarks toolbar (or on the Other Bookmarks folder icon) to open the context menu.
Click on the Show Other Bookmarks menu item to remove the check mark.

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Waterfox Essentials:Why is there an OpenH264 plugin in Waterfox?

2026-02-24T08:10:00.000-06:00

Many streaming videos rely on the H.264 codec in order to work. Because of licensing restrictions, H.264 is not available for open source software like Waterfox. Instead, Waterfox uses its open source alternative, OpenH264, to support video calls.

OpenH264 is released in collaboration with Cisco and Waterfox. It is automatically installed by Waterfox on your Waterfox browser to enable video calls with devices that require the H.264 codec.

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Waterfox Essentials: How to update add-ons

2026-02-17T08:07:00.001-06:00

Add-ons allow you to add extra features and functionality to Waterfox. If you need help installing add-ons, see Find and install add-ons to add features to Waterfox.

For fixes and new features, keep your add-ons up to date. Here’s how to update your add-ons.

Updating add-ons

Click the menu button , click Add-ons and Themes and select Extensions.
Click the gear icon in the upper-right area of the Extensions panel.
Choose one of the options below:

Check for Updates: Allows you to check for any updates to your add-ons manually. If there is an update available, you have the option to choose to update it now or later.
View Recent Updates: When you click this option, a Recent Updates panel appears on the left, showing your last updated add-ons.
Update Add-ons Automatically: If you want to keep your add-ons up to date, select this option to let them update automatically.
Reset All Add-ons to Update Automatically: If any add-ons have been set to update manually, clicking this option will reset all add-ons to update automatically.

Update settings for specific add-ons

Warning: Turning off automatic updates might make you miss important security updates to your installed add-ons. We recommend that if you don’t use an add-on, disable it instead of turning off automatic updates. You can individually adjust the update method for each extension as follows, when the recommended Update Add-ons Automatically option has been selected:

Go to the Extensions panel.
Click More to see the details page of a specific extension.
Find the Automatic Updates line. (You may need to scroll down the page).
- Select Off to set manual updates for that extension. When automatic updates are turned off, a Check for Updates link will appear on the same line.
- Select On or Default to set the extension to update automatically.
If you want, you can go back to the Extensions panel to set up others.
Close the Add-ons Manager (about:addons) tab.

Can I update legacy add-ons?

Extensions that do not meet Waterfox’s new add-on technology have been deactivated and moved to the Legacy Extensions panel. If you need the add-on, you can visit the developer’s website to see if it will be migrated to the WebExtensions standard. The extension will automatically update when the add-on developer provides a compatible version. You can also follow these instructions to look for a replacement:

Click the menu button , click Add-ons and Themes and select Legacy Extensions.
Click the Find a Replacement button to the right of the add-on. If a replacement isn’t available, the Featured Add-ons page will open, where you can search for a compatible alternative. The Extension Finder utility can also help you find replacement extensions.

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Verification eReferer

2026-02-16T05:32:00.001-06:00

Waterfox Essentials: Use extensions to add features to Waterfox

2026-02-10T08:05:00.000-06:00

Extensions are a type of Waterfox add-on. This article describes how to find, install and manage extensions in Waterfox.

What are extensions?

Extensions are Waterfox add-ons that provide additional functionality to Waterfox.

People all over the world have developed thousands of extensions for Waterfox. There are extensions that allow you to block advertisements, download videos from websites, integrate more closely with websites like Facebook or Twitter, and add features you see in other browsers.

How to install extensions

Click the menu button , click Add-ons and Themes and select Get Add-ons.
- You can also search for specific extensions by using the search box at the top.
After finding an extension, click on the ‘Add to Firefox’ button.
Waterfox will download the requested extension and may ask you to confirm that you want to install it.

Managing extensions

How to change extension settings

Some extensions have settings you can change.

Click the menu button , click Add-ons and Themes and select Extensions .
Select the extension you want to edit.
Click the Options button.
- If the Options button is not available, the extension does not offer settings to change.

How to disable or remove extensions

If you select an extension in the Add-ons Manager’s Extensions panel, you can click Disable to turn it off or to remove it. For more information, see Disable or remove Add-ons.

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Waterfox Essentials: Translate websites in Waterfox

2026-02-03T13:33:00.000-06:00

Waterfox includes privacy-preserving, on-device translation so you can read pages written in other languages without sending page content to external services. You can translate full pages or just selected text, control when prompts appear, and manage language preferences.

Translate an entire page

When you visit a page in a language different from your Waterfox interface language, Waterfox can offer to translate it.

If a translation prompt appears, choose the language you want to translate into and click Translate.
If you don’t see a prompt:
1. Look for a translation option in the address bar or page controls.
2. Click Translate page, then choose your target language.

Tips:

Waterfox usually detects the page language automatically. You can change the detected language in the panel if it’s incorrect.
The original page language and the translation target are remembered for the current tab until you reload or close it.

Translate selected text only

You can translate part of a page without translating the whole thing:

Select the text you want to translate.
Open the selection’s context menu and choose Translate selection (wording may vary).
Waterfox shows the translation in a small popup or side panel.

This is useful on pages mixing multiple languages, or when you only need a quick snippet translated.

Always or never translate a language or site

From the translation panel, you can fine-tune future prompts:

Always translate [Language]: Automatically translate future pages in this language.
Never translate [Language]: Don’t prompt for this language again.
Never translate this site: Don’t prompt for this website again.

You can manage or undo these choices in Settings (see below).

Change translation settings

Windows and Linux:
1. Click the menu button and select Settings.
2. In the General panel, scroll to the Language section.
3. Open Translations to manage:
  - Preferred target language
  - Whether to show translation prompts
  - Exceptions (sites/languages set to “always” or “never” translate)
  - Downloaded language resources
macOS:
1. From the menu bar, open Waterfox and choose Settings (or Preferences, depending on macOS version).
2. In the Language section, open Translations and adjust the same options as above.

Changes apply immediately.

Manage downloaded languages

Waterfox downloads translation resources on demand and keeps them for faster, offline-capable translations.

Download a new language: Translate a page in that language once, or use the Translations settings to add it.
Remove a language: In Translations settings, remove language resources you no longer need.

Note: Removing a language pack may require re-downloading resources the next time you translate that language.

Disable or limit translation prompts

If you prefer manual control:

Turn off “Offer to translate pages” in Translations settings.
Keep the feature available but reduce prompts by using “Never translate [Language]” or “Never translate this site” from the panel.

You can still translate pages on demand even if automatic prompts are disabled.

Troubleshooting

No prompt appears:
- The page might already be in your Waterfox interface language.
- The language may not be supported yet, or Waterfox couldn’t detect it. Open the translation panel manually and pick the language.
- Some pages render text in ways that are harder to detect (e.g., images, canvas, or highly dynamic content).
The translation is incomplete or looks wrong:
- Reload the page and try again.
- Check if content loads after user interaction (e.g., clicking “Read more”); translate again once content is visible.
A site stops working correctly after translation:
- Use the panel’s “Never translate this site,” reload the page, and see if behavior improves.
Private Windows:

Translation works in Private Windows. Resources are stored locally; regular Private Browsing rules for history/cookies still apply.

Waterfox Essentials: Waterfox Suggest FAQ

2026-01-26T13:31:00.000-06:00

Waterfox Suggest shows helpful suggestions in the address bar (the Awesome Bar) as you type. These can include quick links to popular or relevant sites, content from trusted partners (“Sponsored” suggestions), and suggestions based on your browsing data already stored in Waterfox. You control which suggestions appear and can turn them off at any time.

What is Waterfox Suggest?

Waterfox Suggest enhances the address bar by surfacing suggestions related to what you type.
It may include:
- Suggestions from your history, bookmarks, and open tabs (built-in address bar features).
- Non-sponsored suggestions that help you discover content faster.
- Sponsored suggestions from trusted partners, clearly labeled as “Sponsored.”

Learn more about autocomplete and address bar behavior:

How do I turn Waterfox Suggest on or off?

You can control Waterfox Suggest and related suggestions from Settings.

Windows and Linux:
1. Click the menu button and select Settings.
2. Select the Search panel.
3. In the Address Bar and Waterfox Suggest sections, adjust the toggles for the types of suggestions you want (including sponsored suggestions).
macOS:
1. In the menu bar, open Waterfox and choose Settings (or Preferences).
2. Select the Search panel.
3. In the Address Bar and Waterfox Suggest sections, adjust the toggles for the types of suggestions you want (including sponsored suggestions).

Tip: You can also fine-tune which sources appear in the address bar (history, bookmarks, open tabs) from the same Search panel. See Awesome Bar search in Waterfox.

What are Sponsored suggestions?

Sponsored suggestions are partner results that may appear in the address bar when they’re relevant to your query.
They are clearly labeled (e.g., “Sponsored”) so you can distinguish them from other results.
You can turn Sponsored suggestions off at any time in Settings > Search.

For more details on how sponsorship works and related privacy information, see Sponsored suggestions privacy.

What data does Waterfox Suggest use?

Waterfox Suggest uses a combination of:

Local data Waterfox already has (e.g., your history, bookmarks, and open tabs) to provide on-device matches.
Limited, privacy-preserving signals for non-local suggestions (for example, your query and general context) to improve relevance.
Interaction data (like when you view or click a suggestion) may be used to measure and improve suggestion quality.

You’re always in control:

Turn off suggestion types you don’t want in Settings > Search.
Review what Waterfox is prepared to send on the about:telemetry page.
Learn more about telemetry controls in Share telemetry data with BrowserWorks to help improve Waterfox.

How do I recognize Waterfox Suggest results?

Suggestions appear under the address bar as you type.
Sponsored results are labeled “Sponsored.”
Some results may be marked to indicate the type (for example, Open tab, Bookmark, or History).

Can I use Waterfox Suggest with search suggestions?

Yes. Waterfox Suggest complements search suggestions from your default search engine. You can enable or disable search suggestions separately in Settings > Search. See Search suggestions in Waterfox.

Why don’t I see the Waterfox Suggest settings?

Waterfox Suggest may not be available in all regions or locales.
If you don’t see Waterfox Suggest options in Settings > Search, make sure Waterfox is up to date. See Update Waterfox to the latest release.

How do I control my privacy with Waterfox Suggest?

Turn off any suggestion type you don’t want (including Sponsored suggestions) in Settings > Search.
Review telemetry settings and data on about:telemetry or via Share telemetry data with BrowserWorks to help improve Waterfox.
Private Windows: By default, Waterfox limits what runs or stores data in Private Windows. Use Private Windows when you want to minimize local traces of browsing.

Waterfox Essentials: Waterfox Reader View for clutter-free web pages

2026-01-19T13:31:00.000-06:00

Reader View is a Waterfox feature that strips away clutter like buttons, ads, background images, and videos while also letting you customize the layout and theme to fit your reading preferences.

View a page in Reader View

If a page is available in Reader View, the Reader View icon will appear in the address bar.
Click on the Reader View icon ; a blue version of the icon indicates the feature is currently active.

Tip

If a page is available in Reader View, you can also access Reader View from the Menu bar when the Menu bar is enabled, by clicking View then Enter Reader View. Alternatively, you can press the key F9 to toggle Reader View.

Modify Reader View settings

Options are available to the left of the article content:

Reader View options:

: Exit Reader View.

: Adjust the layout (text font and size, content width, line height) and theme (light, sepia, dark) in Reader View.

: Have Waterfox read an article out loud in Reader View.

This option will show up only if Windows has Text-to-speech information in the language that the article is in.

Waterfox Essentials: Basic Browsing, Take screenshots on Waterfox

2026-01-05T16:44:00.000-06:00

You can take screenshots to capture visible parts of web pages, or even full web pages, and copy or save these images. To take a screenshot:

Click on the Page actions menu in the address bar and select Take a Screenshot from the drop-down menu.

Tip

Here are some other ways you can take a screenshot:

Right-click on an empty part of the page and select Take a Screenshot.
Use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + S.

What types of screenshots can I capture?

There are several options for capturing screenshots:

Capture parts of a page: When you move the mouse cursor over the page, different parts of the page will be automatically highlighted. Click on the one you want to save.
Select a region of the page: Drag or click on the page to select a custom region of the page that you wish to capture. You can change the size and area to be captured using the marker points on the edge of the area.
Capture a full page: Select Save full page from the menu in the upper right.
Capture the visible part of a page: Select Save visible to save the area of the web page currently visible.

How do I save my screenshots?

Download screenshots as image files: To download the area as an image (.png) file, click the down arrow icon . The file will be saved to the same folder you use as Waterfox’s default download location.
Copy to clipboard: Click the copy button to save the image on your clipboard and paste it into another application later.
Cancel: To cancel your selection, click on the Cancel icon .

How do I disable Waterfox Screenshots?

Warning: Changing advanced preferences can affect Waterfox’s stability and security. This is recommended for advanced users only. To disable Waterfox Screenshots:

Type about:config in the address bar and press Enter. A warning page may appear. Click Accept the Risk and Continue to go to the about:config page.
Type extensions.screenshots.disabled in the Search field. The extensions.screenshots.disabled preference displays.
Double-click this preference to set it to true.

Once you have toggled this preference, you are all set. Screenshots will no longer run in your browser.

Why doesn’t Waterfox Screenshots work on certain pages?

Screenshots should work on almost all web pages. Certain pages that contain the HTML are not fully supported and may not be shootable.

Lastly, certain browser pages like the Waterfox home and Options pages are not supported. These pages are built using a different language than the rest of the Web.

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Waterfox Essentials: Basic Browsing, Search suggestions in Waterfox

2025-12-29T14:28:00.000-06:00

As you type into the address bar or search bar, Waterfox suggests relevant search terms or solution buttons related to the task or answer you may be looking for. When search suggestions are enabled, the text you type is sent to your default search engine. This search engine analyzes the words and displays a list of popular results based on the search term.

How search suggestions work

If you see a search suggestion that matches what you are looking for, click on it to see results for that search term. This can save time and help you find what you’re looking for with less typing.

Enabling search suggestions will send the keywords you type in a search field to the default search engine – unless you appear to be typing a URL or hostname.

Searches can be entered into:

the address bar
the Search bar, if enabled in the toolbar
the Search bar on the New Tab page

The default search engine may collect that information according to the terms of their privacy policy. Users concerned about this information being collected may not wish to enable search suggestions, or may choose another default search engine that has a different privacy policy.

Note

Address bar search suggestions will also include matching results from your browsing history, bookmarks and open tabs. See Address bar autocomplete suggestions in Waterfox for more information.

Search suggestions are disabled by default in Private Browsing mode. You must explicitly turn them on in a Private Browsing window to enable them in that mode. You can enable search suggestions for all Private Browsing windows in your Waterfox Options Search settings panel (see below).

Enabling or disabling search suggestions

You can enable or disable Search suggestions at any time. Click the menu button and select Settings. Select the Search panel and then check or uncheck the Provide search suggestions box in your Waterfox search settings.

To see search suggestions in the address bar drop-down, put a check mark next to Show search suggestions in address bar results.
To show search suggestions before your browsing history, put a check mark next to Show search suggestions ahead of browsing history in address bar results
To show search suggestions in Private Browsing windows, put a check mark next to Show search suggestions in Private Windows.

Search history suggestions

When Waterfox finds a match in your previous searches, it may show search history suggestions above the suggestions freshly retrieved from your search site. The suggestions are marked with a clock icon.

In address bar autocomplete matches, Waterfox may replace up to two of the search engine suggestions with search history suggestions. The dynamic suggestions are marked with a magnifying glass icon.

For steps to delete individual search history suggestions, or to clear all search history entries, see Clear recent searches from the Search bar. If you do not want Waterfox to store previous search terms in search history, you can turn off Waterfox’s form & search history using the steps in Control whether Waterfox automatically fills in forms (“Turn off Auto form fill and prevent Waterfox from storing more form entries”).

Waterfox solution button suggestions

When you type certain tasks into the address bar, such as to download or update Waterfox, suggestions may include a solution button to complete that task directly from the search bar. For example, if you type “update waterfox” a solution button will appear to update.

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Waterfox Essentials: Basic Browsing, Web Push notifications in Waterfox

2025-12-22T14:27:00.000-06:00

Web Push allows websites to notify you of new messages or updated content. While Waterfox is open, websites which have been granted permission can send notifications to your browser, which displays them on the screen. Notifications only display when you press a key on your keyboard or tap/click anywhere on the website that you are accessing. If you have not interacted with the website, then the Notification permission icon will only display in the address bar; the actual notification will not display. You can easily allow or disable notifications and control how they appear.

Upgraded Notifications

Waterfox can deliver on-screen notifications even when that site is not loaded. Using the Push API, a W3C standard, Waterfox receives a push message and can show notifications (if permitted by the user) at any time. Sites can also use Push to update data in the background, even without showing you a notification. If you already gave permission to a site to send notifications, the site will also be able to use the Push API. You can choose whether or not to give permission for a specific website by following these instructions:

Click the padlockin the address bar.
Click the arrow in the Site Information drop-down panel.
Click More information in the next panel to bring up the Page Info window.
Click the Permissions tab.
Under Send Notifications, choose a notification option: Always Ask, Allow, or Block. If your choices are grayed out, deselect the Use Default checkbox.

Alternatively, you can:

Click the menu button and select Settings.
Click Privacy & Security from the left pane.
Scroll to the Permissions section.
Click the Settings… button to the right of Notifications.
Select Allow or Block from the Status drop-down for any of the websites.
Click the Save Changes button.

What is Web Push?

Web Push is an optional feature that allows websites to send you messages even when the site is not loaded. Sites can use this feature to provide you with notifications or update data in the background.

For example, you can subscribe to notifications from your favorite shopping websites that can notify you of new promotions or offers. You can subscribe to notifications from different websites. A concert site may offer you notifications for shows of your favorite band. You decide to allow that site to notify you, and a week later you get a notification that your band is on tour.

You will only receive messages from sites that you have granted permission.

How does it work?

Websites can install a Service Worker, a background web page with a limited set of functionality, that can subscribe to the push service. The website can then send a push message through Waterfox’s Web Push service to your browser, which can process that message and display a notification on your screen.

Clicking the notification can open a website or switch to that site’s tab if loaded.

What information do I share with a website?

A website that has been granted permissions can send you push messages when the site is not loaded. A quota limits the number of push messages without an on-screen notification that websites can send you. Websites that exceed the quota will have its push messaging disabled and the user must revisit the website again to resubscribe. Web Push does not directly allow websites to determine your IP address.

What information does Waterfox use to provide Web Push?

Waterfox maintains an active connection to a push service in order to receive push messages as long as it is open. The connection ends when Waterfox is closed. We store a randomized identifier (User Agent IDentifier or UAID) on our server for your browser, along with a random client-generated identifier for each push subscription. When you have any subscriptions, the UAID is required to allow our push service to route incoming messages to Waterfox. If you don’t have any active push notification subscriptions, Waterfox rotates the UAID on each new connection.

On Waterfox for desktop, the push service is operated by Mozilla. Waterfox for Android uses a combination of the Mozilla Web Push service and Google’s Cloud Messaging platform to deliver notifications to Waterfox for Android. Only Waterfox’s applications are enabled to use WebPush on iOS (third-parties are prohibited from using WebPush to send notifications to iOS per the iOS usage agreement.)

In both cases, push messages are encrypted per the IETF spec, and only your copy of Waterfox can decipher them. The encrypted messages are stored on the server until they are delivered or expired.

We store your IP address for 90 days as part of this service. The stored information is invalidated when either the IP Address or UAID is changed. We do not store information about:

the servers and/or services that have sent messages
when a particular user agent was online/active

How do I revoke Web Push permissions for a specific site?

Web Push is always opt-in in Waterfox. A site cannot send you push messages without your permission. To stop a specific site from sending you push messages:

Click the menu button and select Settings.
Click Privacy & Security from the left pane.
Scroll to the Permissions section.
Click the Settings… button next to Notifications.
Select the website.
Click the Remove Website button.

To stop all sites from sending you push messages, follow the steps above but instead of selecting a specific site click the Remove All Websites button. Websites will not be able to send you messages and will need to ask your permission to send them in the future.

To stop notifications on a specific webpage (requires a page reload): Click the padlock to bring up the Site Information panel for the website, find the Send Notifications permission and click the x next to Allowed to remove the permission.

How do I add Web Push to my website?

The Push API specification explains how to create a Service Worker and send push messages.

How do I stop Waterfox asking me to allow notifications?

If a site indicates to Waterfox that it wants to show notifications, by default, Waterfox asks whether you want to grant permission. You can set Waterfox to automatically deny permission without asking. Even after the change, you can make exceptions for sites you want to show notifications or use push features.

Click the menu button and select Settings.
Click Privacy & Security from the left pane.
Scroll to the Permissions section.
Click the Settings… button to the right of Notifications.
Select the Block new requests asking to allow notifications checkbox.
Click the Save Changes button.

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