Firefox Focus: Privacy browser Reviews

by JW10017

Update3: Dev have responded with a generic boilerplate “here is the support link”, which requires account creation. “Contact developer” also goes to a generic help page about how to install and configure FirefoxFocus . Feels like my issue was not acknowledged and that robot is responding to these reviews. Update2: after recent UI changes gave it a try and found that issue is there doubly so. Whenever a site tries to do full screen messages (say Paywall notification) Firefox frame becomes inaccessible. Can’t use it. Multiple examples. It’s a JavaScript issue likely. Update: Devs have responded and I have updated to the latest version, and problem persists. It’s less often now, and I don’t have a recent example. Will update the review later. Still not usable. Was a happy user for a while, as now I can’t access the navigation bar after I open the page. Page works and scrolls well, but I can’t see the entry box, or back/forward button no matter how much I scroll up or down. Kill FirefoxFocus , open another site and same issue comes back. Too bad.

by Qkslvrvb

Based on reverse tracking tests, FirefoxFocus provides little if any true tracking protection, prevention of meta data gathering, or anonymous surfing. Although the settings imply a significant level of privacy protection, the actual performance on a basic level is wanting. This in turn creates doubt in other claims, specifically data collection for “development” suggesting Tor and VPNs are much more private. There is no current ability to equip FirefoxFocus with add-ons to enhance privacy, making FirefoxFocus very limited considering its claims at the time of installation. This may be a function of Siri integration and Apples data gathering policies, that remains to be seen. Apple has proven to be an intrusive host, I consider iOS a Faustian bargain, comparable to Facebook, Google, Twitter, etc... Nothing is free, the costs are much greater than we perceive. If you are someone who throws caution to the wind, then “run free Little Bob”.

by GotASportCoupe

This is a great browser. It blocks web garbage right from the start and I can even dump my cache with a single click - I use that option a lot. I want to give this 5 stars. More and more websites I’ve been going to have been telling me they don’t support my browser anymore and tell me to update my browser. I can’t even login to them. I understand I can integrate into Safari and basically use FF as an ad blocker but I don’t want to. I want Safari to be my alternate less ad blocking, more open option in case I have I go to a site that has a problem with ad blocking. If I cant go to several of the sites I want to because they don’t support this, I may need to find another option. I feel this should be a simple fix - make the website detect this as a different browser / higher version of Firefox or just update the version.

by Nuggets2share

I love the latest update to Firefox Focus. They got rid of a bunch of buttons in the toolbar so all you have now is the address bar and ‘reload page’ at the top and the rest are at the botom of the page. Makes getting right to business in the website fast and convenient, especially for us Voiceover users who have to listen and scroll through each and every thing on a page till we land on what we’re looking for. I also like the autocomplete feature, it saves time on typing. My only wish and reason for knocking my rating down one from a 5 to a 4 is that Firefox Focus would follow Firefox and add the ability to save logins & passwords. This would make Firefox Focus the ultimate browser!

by Sterofuse

FirefoxFocus is great and also adds content blocking to the built in safari app if you want to add it. It loads things way faster and with less adds than the google app or safari. Before FirefoxFocus I used google for the news cards as they know me well by now and always have an interesting article for me, but they also have the absolute worst ads. Invasive and broken to where it crashes the page. If that happens or if I needed a bookmark from my PC I would “open in Safari” for a more stable experience, and since my desktop has iCloud syncing my Firefox bookmarks they all live in safari now. I only wish I could get my google cards in Firefox. It will give me a few but not the 20+ that the google app gives me.

by GSpecter7

I use this to look up quick things without worrying so much about privacy. It deletes what you are viewing after awhile, so if it’s a webpage you want to take your time reading, then it’s best to open in Firefox proper. Of course, there is a feature to open in Firefox private tab if you have it installed on your phone, which is what I use for webpages I want to keep long term. Unfortunately, there’s no option to open the page viewed in Firefox Focus in a non-private tab in Firefox proper. There’s also no reader view or option to increase webpage viewing size using finger gestures. This makes reading webpages with small font impossible, so I either have to open the webpage in a different browser or view it on a laptop. There is no way that I see to block Javascript on a webpage either. I’d like that feature and a way to increase font size for readability. Overall, it’s not bad. It’s one of the browsers I use often after Safari.

by Rockergirl89

I’ve been using Firefox for over a decade since a tech savvy friend magiced it in my computer. I thought customizing the browser functions was the key selling point for Mozilla, and minimizing tracking and adds was one of them? Most of the add-ons I’ve used over the years have become irrelevant as Mozilla has incorporated their capabilities into their browser. So while I really like the concept, I’m not sure why it’s necessary? It’s kind of frustrating because of the nature of FirefoxFocus makes it so saved bookmarks and passwords for sites I visit frequently can’t be saved. How is this different from the regular Firefox browser incognito mode or otherwise? Do I now have to have 3 browsers (bc you can’t uninstall Safari on iOS -_-) munching data on my phone if I want a way to save my logins/passwords and a good private browser? Also will there ever be a way to set Firefox as the default browser so we can open links in apps straight to Firefox instead of Safari?

by DNAisBuyingTime

I’m very happy with FirefoxFocus . I downloaded it to see if it would improve web browsing because Safari takes a long time to load certain pages like on yahoo or retail sites. Often it doesn’t get the whole page and Instead gives an error message and it retries to load again. The phone would begin to overheat and the battery would drain. The battery drain also happens with Chrome. I decided to get Firefox and found Focus. The problem literally is solved. I have an iPhone 6 so I know the battery and processor are old. What I didn’t realize is that you need updated ones for all the background data being collected. I would give FirefoxFocus 5 stars but it does have some minor issues on certain sites but I figured it is due to what it makes it so effective. It would be nice if it had a reader mode that could darken the background and the words in white. Overall though it is an excellent app. Thanks y’all.

by Lisalisa110

Better Than All The Rest,🎶 always has been always will be.
Firefox is so much MORE when it comes to browsers.
My number One favorite already built in is the security protection. No other browser includes state of the art, top of the security protection. There will be NO HACKERS able to penetrate their security and bonus is Firefox constantly keeps it updated or better by protection you, your files, all of it even before a new virus comes creeping on the www. Firefox has us covered. I gotta say Firefox is the platinum standard others try to offer, yes offer you’re offered such and such protection ONLY IF YOU PAY. That’s how other browsers operate, pay, pay, pay and more than likely you will get junk, outdated already.
Do yourself and your devices a big favor by installing Firefox on your devices. You will never go back. Why? Because as I said FIREFOX IS SIMPLY THE BEST!!!!

by Darkfury277

I really like this browser, it's very fast and secure. I've been looking for a new web browser and this one is my new favorite ....except that there doesn't seem to be a feature for multiple tabs.
I like to switch between multiple tabs when I'm on a web browser, as I do a lot of research and some schoolwork from my phone. So it's disappointing that such a great browser can only utilize one tab at a time, but maybe that just has something to do with the security features, idk. Just wish we could have several tabs open at the same time. Overall though, it's a very good browser.

by Alfred Tech

I have used Firefox quantum ,developer ,normal ,beta in my Pc for a while now and I can honestly say that I’m impressed by the work and attention to detail Firefox puts into there products . Firefox focus it’s other perfect example of how Firefox changes the way things work . This browser performs and delivers what it promises . With a simple button you can delete all your history ,it blocks ads and google analytics,and it’s fast . There are some downsides such as you can only have one tab open at the time and there is very little space for customizing. Firefox realized that well some iPhone users prefers the tools safari has to offer like out-filling password and multiple tabs so there is a way to integrate the ad blocking section into safari that way users can have the safari users experience and bring privacy at the same time .

by Alarob

I keep Firefox Focus in the bottom row of my apps, and I always use it first to visit all websites I haven’t registered for. I pick Firefox Focus from other apps’ Share menu, or if the URL is copied to the clipboard, I launch Firefox Focus and paste the URL into the address bar. The sites load faster and without spying on me. If I need to dig deeper, I hand off the site to Safari, Firefox, or Chrome, using the … menu.

My only request is that a little more space be added above the top row of FirefoxFocus ’s bare-bones keyboard. Now and then I accidentally tap the window above the keyboard, dismissing it and, in some cases, losing all the form data I’ve entered. A little margin for error would be a big help.

by Crazy Wild Blue Horse

I’m just an ordinary internet user and not affiliated with any organization paying me to write this review. Before using any product, I heavily research it. In the case of internet browsers, I read the developer’s privacy policies and terms of service. After reading these policies, I can say that Mozilla’s intentions are good, and what they advertise is legitimate.

This browser has all of the best privacy features that I could ever need in a mobile browser. I feel much more comfortable browsing the web with Firefox Focus than any other browser on iPhone. While other users may not like the fact that you cannot open multiple tabs, I personally think it’s a useful feature because I can focus on one task and avoid wasting time on the internet mindlessly browsing.

The only slightly negative feedback I have is that I wish the browser had a widget that I could add to my home page. However, I’m sure that this feature is currently being developed, so it’s no big deal!

Thank you so much for implementing policies that truly care about the user’s privacy!

by Slothrop86

If you want to know how private your browser is in 2021, look up EFF Fingerprinting / Cover Your Tracks, which is a non-profit site that will do a legitimate test of your browser’s privacy. Focus will still test better than your other browsers, I guarantee.

Edit: Thanks for page search and other new features! Very happy to see Focus receive meaningful, timely updates yet again. Firefox Focus is an absolutely necessary addition to your browser list. You can block ad, social, analytic, and others which if you know what’s up is worth the sacrifice of losing your tabs. Saying the regular Firefox app has these additions by itself or because Focus is installed is ignorant and if you want that question answered you should probably look that up instead of leaving negative a review. Thank you Mozilla for keeping Firefox Focus updated - it is a very refreshing addition to the sea of privacy-invasive apps on iOS, and it easily became my default browser as well. Could we get a way to change our User Agent soon though, please?

by Mauna'

Ok aside from ForeFox, this is the best internet browser in the market!! So if you’re definitely only trying to only open one tab then this should definitely be your go to.
I’ve always been one to continuously open tabs and forget to close them and when I go to clear out my tabs I end up with like 50+ open and now I need to sort through for the tabs I want to keep and the tabs which are irrelevant garbage(which is a lot of them). Now with FirefoxFocus! Literally any one tab task I need done I can do it sawfly and securely and after a short while of inactivity the tab closes by itself! No history. Safe and secure and best of all no drama, no clean up.
I love y’all Mozilla🙌❤️

by Create N!ckn@m3

This is actually a bug connected to the Apple Shortcuts app. When using a Shortcut to open another app, a silly notification appears at the top with a simple “✔️” indicating the shortcut worked. Now, normally when Firefox Focus is opened, the keyboard pops up and you’re ready to go. But if Focus is opened using a Shortcut, the Keyboard goes away at the same time that silly notification does as well. Doesn’t break anything, but it’s a little annoying to have to bring the keyboard up twice every time it’s opened. Hope that’s clear enough. Otherwise, 5 star app the whole way.

Update: It has been fixed with another software update. Thank you!

by Techy Lady

I have tried every browser imaginable. Free ones, paid ones. I wanted a browser that does not use tons of data and mostly ad free. I loved the puffin browser and purchased the pro, however too many ads and auto play videos! Why would you have an lite app with auto play videos? That makes no sense! Opera is great but still too many ads and I hate the news feed you can’t remove. Also does seem buggy at times. I’ve seriously tried them all. Firefox Focus is lacking things I like such as speed dial, however that’s a small price to pay for a browser that for the most part has minimal ads, is lite on data, fast and overall functions very smoothly. Thanks for making a browser that isn’t junk!

by Browskiez

I appreciate FirefoxFocus because it looks different (can I say better?) than the standard Mozilla app, and it has an option to lock the browser with Face ID. My favorite feature is the ad-blocking aspect though which you can incorporate with Safari under Settings via the Content Blocker section. I’m getting tired of seeing ads that are splashed everywhere but don’t really even offer the convenience of targeting me well. Beware if you select each ad-blocking feature beyond the defaults as it is aggressive and some webpages won’t load properly (it’s rare, but it can happen). Anyway, FirefoxFocus is pretty good about giving this warning too. It feels good to have some added privacy online. I would like to see multiple tabs though as a feature with a future build.

by Wags McDads

This browser is so lightweight and quick that when I switched to this from Safari, it was VERY apparent in terms of the speed at which web pages load. That, and I’m digging the in-app content blockers. People complain about not being able to set Firefox as a system-wife default browser, but don’t understand that this isn’t something Mozilla has ANY control over. What you CAN do, though, is hit the share button from safari and open straight into Firefox instead of having to copy and paste links.

I would very much like to see support for being able to have more than one tab open, and maybe a “clear browser on exit” option that will scrub the cache folder and/or cookies and history. I love Quantum on my PC, and this is a welcome addition to my phone!

by ConsiderThis777

So many settings to increase your Security & with Safari integration (Firefox too) makes for more control and convenience for a great browser experience. Love that the erase data option is right out front, just next to the address bar (instead of hidden so deep within settings, as other browsers do, with sometimes 6-7 steps that one has to scroll through, just to clear history, cookies, cache, & so on).

Firefox Focus offers private browsing and tracking protection. (Private browsing deletes cookies when you close the browser window and doesn’t track history. In Firefox, private browsing also blocks tracking cookies by default). When using Firefox Focus, I know it provides a fast, secure, & convenient way to navigate the Internet.

by Must Exit

I’ve been using Firefox Focus for a long time. But now FirefoxFocus has been officially abandoned with a notification (see below). It has bugs that have been around for months, with fixes provided by contributors. But the fixes haven’t been accepted and no new release has been published for months now. The official page on GitHub says (dated March 2019):
“Development of this project is not currently a high priority. Because of this, we cannot guarantee timely reviews or interactions on this repository. If you would like to contribute to one of our other iOS projects, we recommend checking out Firefox iOS. We greatly appreciate your interest in and contributions towards Focus and look forward to working with you on other projects!”

Example of a bug: When browsing a page, tap and hold on a link. In every other browser and in older versions of Firefox Focus, this would bring up a menu to copy it or take other actions. In the current version of Firefox Focus, it does nothing.

by NYCers

I love browsing the web and sharing intersting articles with my friends. Every time I copy a URL I get this long convoluted crazy web address that’s 10 times longer than the actual URL. Why? I don’t see any privacy benefit to this. So I wind up having to go to safari or chrome to copy a neat and short address to share with my friends. No one want to receive links that are 300 characters long. It’s looks like a scam website. Ugh. Additionally, I wish I could browse with multiple tabs but that’s not possible with Focus. Not a biggie. Other than that, the browsing speed is great, the interface is clean, and I love that I can erase everything by tapping on the trash bin. Super easy. Thank you Firefox. If you ever fix the URL issue I’d love to give you guys a five star review.

by Flockofmoose

I love FirefoxFocus! I originally downloaded this for the privacy features to limit Google and other tech companies from spying, but turns out FirefoxFocus is really great at one more thing: less is more. This browser is perfect for a minimalist tech life. FirefoxFocus truly declutters my day with its clean design and ability to only manage one tab is all want and need. This may seem backwards in today’s world but this challenged me to use FirefoxFocus as a utility to access the web in a precise way, instead of harvesting countless tabs and garbage I really don’t need. Again, this version of Firefox is not for the power user, but it is great for anyone else.

by Train Song

I would rate 5 stars for a free search engine or just flat out browser. You can set up your settings as you like. It has so far blocked over 10,000 trackers and has an app easy way to clear your recent history. For those that do not like a browser tracking your every move such as using a basic browser this is a great app. The original Firefox is good I prefer this one better. Why not?? They are both free FirefoxFocus just goes more into depth depending on what you prefer. I have had no problems with with it and have options to choose from what I will allow to track and what I will not.

by Stubborn Frank

I’ve been looking for a free Ad/Tracker blocking solution and have tried 7 different non-Safari apps. Though each had their advantages, I had issues when it came to logging in to sites while browsing. Since Safari is the only browser I have found that integrates with Last Pass on iPhone, I found myself going back to it and putting up with Ads EVERYWHERE, slowing down and cluttering my experience. Though I am not using Firefox Focus as my main browser, FIrefox Focus made it easy to enable Ad Blocking in Safari. Two days in, I couldn’t be happier with the results!