4 ms·

Since Mozilla isn't willing to allow more than 18 pre-selected add-ons on the release and beta channels of Firefox for Android, forks like Iceraven fulfill an u

Since Mozilla isn't willing to allow more than 18 pre-selected add-ons on the release and beta channels of Firefox for Android, forks like Iceraven fulfill an unmet need for users who want access to more add-ons, but don't want the occasional instability of the nightly channel. One thing that is still missing from Iceraven, Mull, etc. is the ability to sideload add-ons that are not published on addons.mozilla.org. Currently, anyone who wants to use a private Firefox add-on that is not suitable to be published on AMO must install v68 of Firefox or v68 of a fork like Fennec F-Droid. Edit: In one of the Iceraven issues on GitHub (https://github.com/fork-maintainers/iceraven-browser/issues/371#issuecomment-987666123 https://github.com/fork-maintainers/iceraven-browser/issues/...), someone recommended a Firefox for Android fork called SmartCookieWeb-Preview for sideloading .xpi add-on files into Firefox from arbitrary URLs: https://github.com/CookieJarApps/SmartCookieWeb-Preview/ https://github.com/CookieJarApps/SmartCookieWeb-Preview/. The preview app is not available on F-Droid yet, but I'm going to try it out. Edit 2: It worked in SmartCookieWeb-Preview. I had to go into about:config and set "xpinstall.signatures.required" to "false" before sideloading the add-on in the settings (Advanced settings > Sideload XPI). I hope this app makes it into F-Droid soon.

deleted 5y ago
[deleted]
paulryanrogers 5y ago
FWIW you can install outside AMO. They must just be signed and reviewed by AMO first. Having done it I wouldn't say it isn't onerous.
- commoner 5y ago
  How would you install outside AMO on Android? When I click on a link to any .xpi file (signed or not), or navigate to its URL, Firefox just prompts me to download the file with no option to install the add-on. Unlike v68 and earlier, the current version of Firefox for Android (any channel) doesn't offer an action to open the .xpi in Firefox when I open it from my file manager. It doesn't seem to matter whether I have "xpinstall.signatures.enabled" disabled or not. The other part of the issue is that I don't think I should have to ask Mozilla for permission to use a private add-on in Firefox on my own device, or show Mozilla the source code to the add-on before I can install it. What I do in a web browser on my device is not really Mozilla's business. Mozilla lists privacy as Principle 4 in its manifesto, so I think they should be able to understand this reasoning: > Individuals’ security and privacy on the internet are fundamental and must not be treated as optional. https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/about/manifesto/ https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/about/manifesto/
  - paulryanrogers 5y ago
    Sad to hear it may have changed. I used to host my XPI and use a content type header to get it installed from my website.
    - franga2000 5y ago
      I just installed an extension this way recently, so either they disabled this in the last month or so or its still a thing, but gp didn't set things up correctly.
      - commoner 5y ago
        Here's a test anyone can reproduce: 1. Visit the addons.mozilla.org page of any add-on. Example: Cookie AutoDelete - https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/cookie-autodelete/ https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/cookie-autode... 2. If you are on a mobile browser, switch to desktop mode. 3. Tap or click "Add to Firefox". Results: - Prompt to install add-on: Firefox v68 (Android), Fennec F-Droid v68, Firefox v95-97 (desktop, all channels) - Prompt to download .xpi file: Firefox v95-97 (Android, all channels), Iceraven v1.14, Mull v95, Fennec F-Droid v95 The results are exactly the same for any .xpi (signed or unsigned) that I self-host on another website. If you get different results, or if I'm doing it wrong, please correct me.
- _abox 5y ago
  Still that would leave one of my favourite add-ons out :( (the bypass paywalls one). Mozilla has refused it in their store. Would love to have that one on mobile.
  - commoner 5y ago
    You're in luck, since a more frequently updated fork called Bypass Paywalls Clean is available at addons.mozilla.org: - Add-on: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/bypass-paywalls-clean/ https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/bypass-paywal... - Source: https://gitlab.com/magnolia1234/bypass-paywalls-firefox-clean https://gitlab.com/magnolia1234/bypass-paywalls-firefox-clea... It's included in Iceraven's default add-on collection.
    - GekkePrutser 5y ago
      Thanks I'll try it! I had seen that fork before but the main reason for it to exist (specifying the sites in advance instead of allowing all sites) had also been incorporated in the original plugin. I'm very surprised this one is available in the mozilla catalog and the original isn't.

deleted 5y ago

[deleted]

paulryanrogers 5y ago

FWIW you can install outside AMO. They must just be signed and reviewed by AMO first. Having done it I wouldn't say it isn't onerous.

commoner 5y ago
How would you install outside AMO on Android? When I click on a link to any .xpi file (signed or not), or navigate to its URL, Firefox just prompts me to download the file with no option to install the add-on. Unlike v68 and earlier, the current version of Firefox for Android (any channel) doesn't offer an action to open the .xpi in Firefox when I open it from my file manager. It doesn't seem to matter whether I have "xpinstall.signatures.enabled" disabled or not. The other part of the issue is that I don't think I should have to ask Mozilla for permission to use a private add-on in Firefox on my own device, or show Mozilla the source code to the add-on before I can install it. What I do in a web browser on my device is not really Mozilla's business. Mozilla lists privacy as Principle 4 in its manifesto, so I think they should be able to understand this reasoning: > Individuals’ security and privacy on the internet are fundamental and must not be treated as optional. https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/about/manifesto/ https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/about/manifesto/
- paulryanrogers 5y ago
  Sad to hear it may have changed. I used to host my XPI and use a content type header to get it installed from my website.
  - franga2000 5y ago
    I just installed an extension this way recently, so either they disabled this in the last month or so or its still a thing, but gp didn't set things up correctly.
    - commoner 5y ago
      Here's a test anyone can reproduce: 1. Visit the addons.mozilla.org page of any add-on. Example: Cookie AutoDelete - https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/cookie-autodelete/ https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/cookie-autode... 2. If you are on a mobile browser, switch to desktop mode. 3. Tap or click "Add to Firefox". Results: - Prompt to install add-on: Firefox v68 (Android), Fennec F-Droid v68, Firefox v95-97 (desktop, all channels) - Prompt to download .xpi file: Firefox v95-97 (Android, all channels), Iceraven v1.14, Mull v95, Fennec F-Droid v95 The results are exactly the same for any .xpi (signed or unsigned) that I self-host on another website. If you get different results, or if I'm doing it wrong, please correct me.
_abox 5y ago
Still that would leave one of my favourite add-ons out :( (the bypass paywalls one). Mozilla has refused it in their store. Would love to have that one on mobile.
- commoner 5y ago
  You're in luck, since a more frequently updated fork called Bypass Paywalls Clean is available at addons.mozilla.org: - Add-on: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/bypass-paywalls-clean/ https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/bypass-paywal... - Source: https://gitlab.com/magnolia1234/bypass-paywalls-firefox-clean https://gitlab.com/magnolia1234/bypass-paywalls-firefox-clea... It's included in Iceraven's default add-on collection.
  - GekkePrutser 5y ago
    Thanks I'll try it! I had seen that fork before but the main reason for it to exist (specifying the sites in advance instead of allowing all sites) had also been incorporated in the original plugin. I'm very surprised this one is available in the mozilla catalog and the original isn't.