If you’re seeking an alternative to Chrome, Firefox offers an excellent experience, particularly with its Extended Support Release (ESR) version. In this blog post, I’ll guide you through installing the Firefox browser on your Chromebook.
There are two official ways to install Firefox on a Chromebook: the Android version, which can be installed through the Google Play Store if your Chromebook supports it, and the other option is to install it through the Linux development environment. Here, we will discuss both methods.
How to Install Firefox on Chromebook
By default, Google Chrome comes pre-installed as the browser on Chromebooks. However, Firefox could be a fantastic choice if you’re exploring other options, especially the Linux version, as it offers a fully optimized experience for desktop browsing.
To install the Linux version of Firefox, you’ll first need to enable the Linux development environment on your Chromebook. Once you have that setup, follow these easy steps, and you’ll have Firefox up and running in no time.
1. Click on the App Launcher icon.
2. Look for the Terminal app and open it.
3. Click on the Penguin option to open the terminal interface.
4. To ensure a smooth installation, update your Linux container by running the following command. Press Enter and wait for the process to complete:
sudo apt update
5. Now, update the apt repository by running the following command:
sudo apt upgrade -y
6. Now, it’s time to install Firefox. Type the following command and press Enter:
sudo apt-get install firefox-esr
7. If prompted with a ‘Do you want to continue?‘ message, type Y and press Enter. Wait for the installation to complete.
8. After the installation is complete, open the App Launcher icon and navigate to the Linux Apps folder. From there, click on the Firefox browser icon to launch it.
9. When you open Firefox, you’ll be greeted by the welcome screen. Follow the setup steps, and if you’d like to import browser data, select the appropriate option.
10. Once you’re ready, click Start Browsing to begin using Firefox.
Install Firefox from the Google Play Store
You can also install the Android version of Firefox from the Google Play Store. However, this version isn’t as optimized for desktop use, so for the best experience, I recommend going with the Linux version.
If you prefer not to add extra load to your Chromebook since the Linux development environment uses up some system resources, the Android version of Firefox is a great alternative. Just follow these simple steps to get it installed:
1. Click on the App Launcher icon.
2. Open the Google Play Store application.
3. In the search bar, type Firefox and select it from the search results.
4. Click the Install button and wait for the installation to complete.
5. Once it’s done, you’re ready to use Firefox.
Conclusion
That’s it! You’ve successfully installed Firefox on your Chromebook. Whether you prefer the Linux version for better desktop functionality or the Android version for simplicity, Firefox is now ready to enhance your browsing experience.
