Jack Wallen / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET
ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Firefox Focus is a security and privacy-focused mobile browser.
- This browser offers a minimal UI and maximum privacy features.
- Firefox Focus is available for both Android and iOS.
I’ve run the gamut of web browsers on Android, and every time I think I’ve found “the one,” I discover a reason not to use it. That reason might be a cluttered UI, a lack of options, or not enough security.
Recently, however, I came across a browser that checked all the boxes… especially within the realm of privacy and security. No, it’s not Tor or Brave, it’s Firefox Focus, which is ironic given I’d only recently sworn off Firefox browsers. However, Firefox Focus is good enough to make me overlook that claim.
Firefox Focus has been around for a bit and is a mobile-only browser that aims to be a simple and private web browser. It delivers on that promise.
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Imagine stripping a browser to its bare bones and leaving just the features necessary to render pages properly (and quickly) and remain private and secure. That’s what Firefox Focus is. The UI doesn’t include all the finery found in other browsers (the start page offers a URL bar, a menu button, and the keyboard once you tap the URL bar). That’s it.
There are no bookmarks, suggested sites, news, or any other bloated features you might find on other browsers. Firefox Focus is lean and ready to do the one thing browsers should do… render pages securely and privately.
Firefox Focus is free and can be found in both the Google App Store and the Apple App Store.
What makes Firefox Focus so special?
As you’ve most likely surmised, Firefox Focus is all about privacy.
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If you open the Settings page, you’ll find only five sections: General, Privacy and Security, Search, Advanced, and Mozilla. Tap the General section, and you’ll see only three options: Theme, Language, and Make Firefox Focus default browser. It’s not until you tap the Privacy and Security section that you finally see what this browser is really all about.
There are plenty of options in the Privacy & Security section to ensure you’re getting the most out of Firefox Focus.
Jack Wallen/ZDNET
In the Privacy and Security section, you’ll find the ability to block:
- Ad trackers
- Analytic trackers
- Social trackers
- Other content trackers
- Web fonts (aka remote fonts)
- JavaScript
- Cookies
- Potentially dangerous sites
And then there’s the ability to use a fingerprint to unlock the app, a stealth mode, HTTPS-only mode, and a data-usage ping (to help Mozilla estimate active users).
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As for search engines, Firefox Focus defaults to Google, but you can easily change it to DuckDuckGo or add another search engine.
How does Firefox Focus perform?
This is the big question you probably want to know about. Well, I’m happy to report that Firefox Focus is fast. In fact, I don’t remember seeing a mobile browser that could render pages this quickly. That feature alone should have your curiosity piqued. When you add the blazing render speed to the privacy and security features (along with the minimal UI), you get a web browser that is ideal for mobile devices.
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I believe there are two reasons why Firefox Focus can render pages so quickly: it’s stripped of so many extra features, and the blocking features. Because Firefox Focus can block so much, those elements aren’t given a chance to function, which can aid in speeding up rendering. Firefox Focus is truly a lightweight browser that feels as capable as a typical app.
Making Firefox Focus my default
It took all of 10 minutes with Firefox Focus before I decided to make it my default browser. First of all, I consider myself a minimalist, and the Firefox Focus UI is perfectly suited for that aesthetic. Second, the privacy is hard to beat. Simple and secure are two key components for my mobile needs, and I’ve yet to find a browser that better addresses those points.
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Firefox Focus took me by surprise. After giving up on Mozilla, I assumed I’d never touch another web browser from the organization, but this browser has changed my mind, at least on the mobile front. This is also one of those mobile apps I can highly recommend to just about any user type. Security and privacy are the two areas every mobile user should be concerned with, and having a web browser that takes them seriously should be placed at the top of your list of apps.
Give Firefox Focus ten minutes, and I’m confident you’ll find yourself setting it as your default.
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