Firefox for Android now opens sites in desktop mode on tablets by default

Mozilla continues to develop the mobile version of Firefox, and a new update brings a long-awaited innovation for Android tablet owners. Starting with version 138, the browser will default to displaying websites in desktop mode – with no restrictions or device requirements.

Desktop mode on tablets: no exceptions

Google previously introduced a similar feature in Chrome for Android, but it didn’t work on all devices. To get automatic desktop mode, a tablet had to have at least 8GB of RAM and a screen of 10 inches or more. Everyone else had to turn it on manually – and do it all over again every time they sat down.

All other devices had to turn it on manually – and do it all over again every time they sat down.

Firefox has decided to do away with such restrictions. The new version of the browser activates desktop mode by default on all tablets, regardless of their specifications. This is especially important for users with large screens, where the mobile version of the site often looks uncomfortable and cluttered.

If you don’t like the new mode, you can always turn it off by selecting the appropriate setting on the Site Settings page.

Other Firefox 138 innovations

Besides the automatic desktop mode, the update brings a number of other useful improvements:

• Downloads: now on the downloaded files page you can not only open a document, but also share it or a link to the source immediately. All downloads are grouped by date, and filters by category are also available.
• Bookmarks: it is now possible to sort bookmarks and pin folders to find frequently used sites faster.

The update is already rolling out via Google Play. A full list of changes is available on Mozilla’s official website.

The Firefox for Android now opens sites in desktop mode on tablets by default was first published on ITZine.ru.