How to download and install Firefox on Mac

Before you download

Firefox has one installer that runs natively on Apple Silicon and Intel Macs, so there is no version to choose. Mozilla offers it in many languages: the download page picks the one your browser uses.

Firefox needs macOS 10.15 Catalina or later. Download it only from Mozilla: firefox.com or mozilla.org. «Firefox» from other sites may come with extra software.

How to install Firefox

1. Open the downloaded Firefox .dmg in your Downloads folder.
2. In the window that opens, drag Firefox to the Applications folder.

3. Eject the Firefox disk: click the eject button next to it in the Finder sidebar.
4. Open Firefox from Applications and click Open when macOS asks about an app downloaded from the internet.

Copy Firefox to Applications before using it: run from the disk image, it can’t update and loses settings when the disk is ejected.

What to set up after the first launch

• Bookmarks and passwords. Firefox offers to import them on first launch. Later: File › Import From Another Browser, then pick Safari or Chrome.
• Sync. Sign in with a Mozilla account to get bookmarks, passwords and tabs from your other devices.
• Default browser. Firefox asks on first launch. Later: System Settings › Desktop & Dock › Default web browser.
• The installer. Move the Firefox .dmg from Downloads to the Trash once Firefox runs.

If Firefox won’t install or open

• «Firefox is damaged and can’t be opened». The download was incomplete. Delete it and download it again from Mozilla’s website.
• Firefox is slow or acts strangely. Open Help › More Troubleshooting Information and click Refresh Firefox: it keeps bookmarks and passwords and resets the rest.
• Nothing helps. Remove Firefox completely and install it again: see how to uninstall Firefox on Mac.

Alternatives to Firefox

• Google ChromeThe most used browser, syncs with your Google account.
• BraveBlocks ads and trackers without extensions.
• Tor BrowserHides where you browse from through the Tor network.