55.2.2 Released for Windows, Mac, Linux and Android

After a lot of late nights ☕️, the next version of Waterfox is here! This version lands some very important changes that pave the way to keeping add-on support in Waterfox. Waterfox now uses its own separate profile directory and migrates all your existing data to it. In the coming future the website will get an infrastructure update to pave the way for an add-on store.

Waterfox builds are now ready for Android as well!

Don’t forget to join the active subreddit community for support.

NOTE: SOME SETTINGS (INCLUDING ADD-ONS) MAY BE RESET! Unfortunately due to the way the profile import works, this was necessary. You CAN change which profile to use, the same way as Firefox, if you’d like to use the old location. There will be teething issues, please be patient and just report any issues you do have, I will try my best to have them resolved.

Short Road Map

Just a hasty roadmap of what to expect with Waterfox in the coming future. The 56 release notes will have a much more in-depth roadmap.

(This) Release of 55.2.0 which includes security fixes from the latest version of Firefox, so as to not fall behind.

Release 56 around mid to end October.

56 will remain as ESR version for the foreseeable future, keeping updated with security patches.

In parallel, development of a “new” browser will be happening which will carry on with the XUL/XPCOM mantle or equivalent. This could mean having low-level WebExtension APIs, meaning the same level of customisation as is possible with older Firefox extensions. No cemented plan yet as I test and see which route is best.

More in depth roadmap will release with the v56 release notes.

IMPORTANT! Waterfox now uses its own profile location!

Waterfox now uses its own profile directory. If you have updated from an automatic update, you will get a prompt to import your data to this new location after restarting the browser post update.

As much of your data will try to be kept as possible.

Location on macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Waterfox

Location on Linux: ~/.waterfox/

Location on Windows: %APPDATA%\Waterfox

If you use a different than default location for Firefox, you should be able to just update the profile.ini in the new Waterfox profile location to carry on using that location.

There will be some teething issues with various setting as the change to prepare for continued XUL/XPCOM add-on support, so some add-ons may get disabled and settings changed. With some upcoming updates this should be fixed.

What’s new in Waterfox 55.2.2?

Stop Mozilla from installing add-ons without user permission.

If these add-ons are already installed, they will be removed within a day of using the updated version.

What’s new in Waterfox 55.2.1 and 55.2.1.1?

55.2.1.1: Add hidden Mozilla extensions to blocklist

55.2.1.1: Stop calls to Mozilla Social API

Patched crash on Windows 7 systems, from 56.0.1 release. Bug 1403353.

Don’t build AUS Helper extension.

Disable Battery Status API for privacy reasons.

Update bundled search plugins to their OpenSearch equivalents where available.

Revert to Ecosia as default, while issues are resolved with Yahoo.

Update blocklist (extension, plugin and certificate).

What’s new in Waterfox 55.2.0?

Patched security issues from 52.4 ESR/56 Release. (Mozilla Security Advisories)

Linux: Switched to an older build environment for better compatibility of libraries.

Linux: No longer statically link libgcc.

Linux: Backported patches for issues with FreeType.

macOS: 10.13 has graphical issues with the GUI. Will wait for all patches to release before fixing in 56.

Android: Download APK or from Google Play Store (slight delay).

Yahoo is now the default search partner, but you may still use Ecosia to support Waterfox 🙂

What’s new in Waterfox 55.1.0?

Updated to Firefox 55.0.3 (Release Notes)

Statically linked libstdc++ on Linux.

Added option to toggle Electrolysis in about:preferences > General

Android release is ready! Just passing through the Google Play store and will submit request to go onto the F-Droid store.

Improved migration of profile to not copy over old profile.

Toggle some privacy options by removing Microsoft Family ‘MITM’ and disable add-on metadata updates (add-ons will still update when there is one available).

Added FINDX and updated Yahoo! URL.

What’s new in Waterfox 55.0.2?

Fixed an issue with missing label in about:dialog for language packs.

Reverted Yahoo partner URL until better solution found.

Note: If you are using Linux, you will need version 3.4.22 of libstdc++.

If you are using Linux, you will need version 3.4.22 of libstdc++. Windows builds are now available!

Updated to Firefox 55.0.2 (Release Notes)

What’s new in Waterfox 55.0.1?

Updated to Firefox 55.0.1 (Release Notes)

Full add-ons are now marked as such in the about:addons page, in preparation for keeping support.

Waterfox will CARRY ON SUPPORT for add-ons.

Waterfox now uses its own profile directory (as you may have been prompted when updating). Location on macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Waterfox Location on Linux: ~/.waterfox/ Location on Windows: %APPDATA%\Waterfox

Backed out Bug 1351490 to keep NPAPI support.

Added Yahoo! partner URL.

Issues

On certain platforms, Waterfox will keep asking to be set as default browser even if it is.

What’s coming in the next few weeks?

Website will get a complete overhaul in preparation for hosting own add-on store and various services to move away from Mozilla dependency.

What features does Waterfox currently have?

Compiled with Clang+LLVM on Linux

Disabled Encrypted Media Extensions (EME) by default

Disabled Web Runtime (deprecated as of 2015)

Removed Pocket

Removed Telemetry

Removed data collection

Removed startup profiling

Allow running of all 64-Bit NPAPI plugins

Allow running of unsigned extensions and full add-ons

Removal of Sponsored Tiles on New Tab Page

Addition of Duplicate Tab option (toggle with browser.tabs.duplicateTab, thanks to PandaCodex)

Locale selector in about:preferences > General (further improved by PandaCodex)

N.B.

Automatic updates will be delayed by 24 hours to make sure there aren’t any pressing issues before seeding to everyone.

Partnership with Ecosia

Waterfox has now partnered with Ecosia as a way to raise funds. When using Ecosia, revenue generated from ads helps plant trees and contributes to Waterfox upkeep costs! If you’d like to help support Waterfox while also doing some good in the world, please help us out by using it!