Did you know that Firefox has a native system to install webapps? We show you how to activate and use it

Firefox Webapp

Although I have personally become accustomed to using most services in the browser, the truth is that from time to time I keep looking at how to install webapps on my operating system without depending on Chrome. More specifically, what I want are Firefox native webapps, and this is a possibility that is hidden (disabled by default) in the browser from the v73 of the same. In this article we will show you how to make use of them.

What we are going to explain is how to activate the support to install SSB, which is the acronym for Site-Specific Browser. The PWA (Progressive Web Apps) are a type of SSB. What we will get is a separate browser window without its functions, but that will work perfectly in services such as Twitter. The notifications work, although personally I would like them to improve a little in this regard.

How to enable SSB and PWA support in Firefox

  1. If we use Firefox 73 or later, we go to the URL bar and write about: config. If it is the first time we access, we will see the notice that we are entering a dangerous area. We can accept it or ask you not to notify us again.
  2. In the browser settings, we look for "ssb" without the quotes. What interests us is the parameter "browser.ssb.enabled".
  3. We double click on it so that it changes from "false" to "true". We can also modify the value with a right click, but the double click is faster.
  4. We restart the browser.
  5. To create a webapp, we go to the service's website, to the main page and better without even logging in.
  6. We click on the three dots to the right of the URL bar.

Install app in firefox

  1. We choose the option «Use This Site in App Mode». Right now it is in English, including version 81 which is currently on the Nightly channel. And that would be all. Once created, it will open in a completely independent new window.

Right now, in Windows it is better implemented than in Linux, since in the Microsoft system it creates an icon in the start menu and everything. In addition, the service logo (the "favicon") appears in the lower pane, while in Linux the browser icon appears. Taking into account that the function is disabled by default, I want to think that Mozilla will continue to work on it and improve it also in Linux so that it creates the shortcut, appears in the applications menu and the icon in the lower panels or docks.

How to uninstall apps

Uninstall an app Firefox web is a very simple task. We just have to go to the hamburger, access the section that is currently also in English and appears as "Sites in App Mode" and click on the "x" that appears next to the webapp. If we remove all the webapps, the "Sites in App Mode" option will disappear, but we can still install them by following the tutorial explained above. If we do not like the changes or for whatever reason we want Firefox to return to its original state, we will only have to perform steps 1 to 4 in the opposite direction.

The ability to install Firefox-based apps in this way has been available since February and still continues today "Experimental" tag. We all know what this means: we can find all kinds of failures or shortcomings, especially in Linux, where what we see in the dock or bottom panel is one more browser window that overlaps with others if it is configured that way. I think Mozilla has to keep working so that, at least, it does like Chrome, that is, create a .desktop so that we can launch the app from the different application menus and that the icon that appears is the favicon of the service, and not that of Firefox which can lead to confusion.

Is there a web application that you will install using the system explained in this article?


A comment, leave yours

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked with *

*

*

  1. Responsible for the data: AB Internet Networks 2008 SL
  2. Purpose of the data: Control SPAM, comment management.
  3. Legitimation: Your consent
  4. Communication of the data: The data will not be communicated to third parties except by legal obligation.
  5. Data storage: Database hosted by Occentus Networks (EU)
  6. Rights: At any time you can limit, recover and delete your information.

  1.   Ronald said

    great, works great.