Firefox for Chromebook: [How to] Install Firefox on Chromebook

In Summary

Mozilla’s Firefox is an excellent alternative to Google Chrome.
The desktop version of Firefox cannot be installed on a Chromebook which is a deal-breaker for some.
We will have a detailed look at how you can download and install the desktop version of Firefox on a Chromebook.

Mozilla’s Firefox is one of the most popular desktop browsers and is used by many users as their default browser. One of the reasons for its popularity is the user-friendly interface and the general functionality that the browser offers.

However, the fact that Firefox cannot be run natively on a Chromebook was why some opt out.

But what if I told you that you could install Firefox on your Chromebook? Sounds exciting, isn’t it? So let us take a detailed look at how you can install Firefox on Chromebooks with ease.

Table of Contents

Setting up Linux on Chromebook

Before installing Firefox on our Chromebook, we first need to enable Linux via the Chrome settings OS. Once Linux is enabled, we can easily install Firefox via the terminal.

Steps to enable Linux

Launch settings and select apps from the drop-down menu on the left side of the screen.
Here, scroll down until you see the Linux development option.
Hit turn on and follow the on-screen steps for setup.

It will now start installing Linux on your Chromebook. So sit back and relax because the process will take some time.

Related Read: How to Use WhatsApp on Chromebook

Installing Firefox on Chromebook (Desktop Version)

Once Linux is installed, launch the app drawer and search for the Terminal app, or use the search bar to search.

Launch the terminal app and input the command “sudo apt update” and press enter.
Now, type the command “sudo apt install flatpak” and again press enter.
It will now start installing flatpak on Chromebook. Once the installation is complete, type the following command and hit enter.
sudo flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo
Now, type “sudo flatpak install flathub org.mozilla.firefox” and press enter. You will now get a message confirming the installation, type Y, and hit enter for the one last time.
Boom, you have installed Firefox successfully on a Chromebook.

Note- Do not disable Linux at a later stage, or Firefox will stop working.

Installing Firefox on ARM Chromebook (Desktop Version)

The process to install Firefox on a ARM-based Chromebook is a bit different but still pretty simple, so let us take a look.

Enable Linux on your Chromebook by following the steps we shared earlier.
Open the terminal and type the following two commands in a sequence.
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade
Once done, enter the following command
sudo apt install firefox-esr

Install Firefox on Chromebook from the Google Play Store

If the above process is too lengthy for you, you can also install the mobile browser version of Mozilla Firefox on a Chromebook from the Google Play Store. Let us take a look at it.

Open the Google Play Store on your Chromebook.
Here, search for Mozilla Firefox and install it.
Before installation, you will see three different versions of Firefox- Firefox standard, Firefox Focus, and Firefox for developers. You can choose one based on your preferences.
Hit install, and you are good to go.

When you first open Firefox, it will open in mobile view. Just click “Mobile” at the bottom center of the tab and resize.

Installing Firefox for Chromebook made easy

With the method described above, you can easily install and use Firefox on a Chromebook and seamlessly import all your browser data and extensions.

Let us know in the comments below if you found this article helpful and have successfully installed Mozilla Firefox on a Chromebook.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Will Firefox sync my entire data on a Chromebook?

Yes. All the data associated with your Firefox account, including your Firefox extensions , is also synced on a Chromebook, so you do not have to worry.

2. How to uninstall Firefox on a Chromebook?

If, for some reason, you are not satisfied with the Firefox browser on a Chromebook. You can easily uninstall it from the terminal by typing the following command.

sudo apt remove Firefox

3. Will the Firefox browser experience be as smooth as Google Chrome on a Chromebook?

Unfortunately, the answer is no. Chromebooks are designed to work effortlessly with Google Chrome, which is optimized more than any other third-party browser.

And since Firefox is not designed for Chromebooks, you may experience app crashes and glitches here and there.