Mozilla deploys a new-look Firefox across desktop and mobile

Mozilla has begun rolling out a redesigned Firefox to users across desktop and mobile, giving most people a new interface for the browser. The company said it updated Firefox's themes, icons and colors to bring the software in line with features it has added recently. Among those features is a single off switch for generative AI tools. The new look will not surprise everyone, since beta testers have been able to try it through the Nightly version of the browser for the last few months.

The redesign restores compact mode, a much-requested option that Mozilla had previously removed. The setting reduces how much screen space the toolbar and tabs occupy, allowing more of a website to be visible. Firefox also gains a theme picker that offers wallpaper options, along with the ability to organize shortcuts on the New Tab screen. Mozilla said the customization options were designed with accessibility in mind.

Privacy settings are now easier to locate, according to Mozilla, which also said it has not sacrificed performance in the update. The company noted that features such as tab groups, split view and vertical tabs are not placed front and center in the new design. They remain close at hand for users who want quick access to them.

Mozilla framed the visual changes as a modernization effort tied to the browser's recent additions rather than a standalone makeover. The generative AI off switch is one example of the functionality the company cited as motivation for the updated appearance. The redesign reaches both desktop and mobile users, extending the same refreshed look across platforms.

For US Firefox users, the rollout means the browser will look different after the update arrives on their devices. The return of compact mode addresses a demand from users who wanted to reclaim screen space while browsing. The theme picker and New Tab shortcut organization give users new ways to adjust the browser's appearance and layout.

Mozilla said privacy controls are easier to find in the new version and that performance has been maintained. The company also said accessibility informed how it built the customization options. The features that are not featured prominently, including tab groups, split view and vertical tabs, are still available nearby for users who rely on them.

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