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How to Install Firefox Beta on Linux Mint 21/20
Last Updated on by Joshua James
Mozilla Firefox is a popular and widely used open-source web browser that continually evolves to provide users with better performance, enhanced security, and innovative features. To achieve this, Mozilla offers a pre-release version of Firefox called Firefox Beta. This version allows users to test upcoming features and improvements before integrating them into the stable release. This introduction will provide an overview of Firefox Beta.
Firefox Beta
Purpose: Firefox Beta is designed for users who want to preview and test the latest features, improvements, and bug fixes before they are released to the general public.
Update frequency: Firefox Beta is updated approximately every four weeks, offering a relatively stable testing environment.
Notable changes: Some key updates in Firefox Beta include performance improvements, enhanced privacy features, and new developer tools.
Audience: Firefox Beta is suitable for users who want to contribute to the development process by providing feedback on upcoming features but still need a fairly stable browsing experience.
The upcoming sections of this guide will demonstrate how to install Firefox Beta on Linux Mint 21 or Linux Mint 20 using the official Launchpad PPA of Mozilla to install the latest version.
Table of Contents
Section 1: Import Firefox Beta PPA
Before diving into the process, it’s important to note that installing Firefox Beta will replace the default version of Firefox currently installed on your Linux Mint system. To get started, follow the steps below:
Step 1: Check your current Firefox version
First, check the version number of your existing Firefox installation by running the following command in the terminal:
firefox --version
You should see an output similar to this:
Mozilla Firefox xx.x
Step 2: Import Mozilla Team Firefox Next (Beta) PPA
To import the Mozilla Team Firefox Next (Beta) PPA into your sources list, execute the following command:
Linux Mint’s default repository outranks the beta version you’re attempting to install from the PPA. To resolve this, you’ll need to set up APT Pinning. Follow the steps below to create and modify the preferences file:
Step 1: Create the preferences file if it does not exist:
sudo touch /etc/apt/preferences
Step 2: Add the APT Pinning rules using sed:
Execute the following commands to add the required APT Pinning rules:
echo -e "Package: *\nPin: release o=linuxmint\nPin-Priority: 700\n" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/preferences
echo -e "Package: firefox\nPin: release o=LP-PPA-mozillateam-firefox-next\nPin-Priority: 900\n" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/preferences
echo -e "Package: *\nPin: release o=Ubuntu\nPin-Priority: 500\n" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/preferences
These commands will append the necessary APT Pinning rules to the /etc/apt/preferences file. By using the sed command in this manner, you can avoid manually editing the preferences file while still achieving the desired result.
Confirm this by running the following command:
cat /etc/apt/preferences
If the APT Pinning rules were set up successfully, you should see the following:
Section 2: Install Firefox Beta on Linux Mint
After importing the Firefox Beta PPA and setting up APT Pinning, you can install Firefox Beta on your Linux Mint system. Follow the steps below for a smooth installation:
Step 1: Update your APT repository listing
To ensure your system has the latest package information, update your APT repository listing by running the following command:
sudo apt update
Step 2: Install Firefox Beta
Before proceeding, close any existing Firefox browser windows. Next, use the following command to install Firefox Beta:
sudo apt install firefox
Important: Do not use the upgrade option, even if Firefox is already installed. Always use the install option for this process.
Step 3: Verify the Firefox Beta installation
After the installation is complete, check the version of Firefox to ensure the Beta version is installed correctly:
firefox --version
Example output:
Mozilla Firefox xx.xbx
Note the “b” in the output means beta.
Section 3: Launch Firefox Beta on Linux Mint
Now that Firefox Beta is installed, you can launch it using one of the following methods:
Launch Firefox Beta via terminal:
To open Firefox Beta from the terminal, run the following command:
firefox
Launch Firefox Beta via the application menu:
Alternatively, you can start Firefox Beta from the application menu by following this path:
Taskbar > Internet > Firefox
Example of Firefox Beta application icon on Linux Mint:
Section 4: Tips on Getting Started with Firefox Beta on Linux Mint
Now that you have successfully installed Firefox Beta on your Linux Mint system, it’s time to explore its features and customize your browsing experience. In this section, we’ll provide various tips and tricks to help you make the most of Firefox Beta on Linux Mint.
1. Explore New Features in Firefox Beta
Firefox Beta is packed with upcoming features, improvements, and bug fixes that are not yet available in the stable release. To stay up-to-date with the latest changes, visit the Firefox Beta Release Notes:
By reviewing the release notes, you can learn about new features, performance enhancements, and developer tools introduced in the Beta version.
2. Customize Your Firefox Beta Interface
Personalize your Firefox Beta interface with the following customizations:
2.1. Rearrange toolbar items:
To move or remove items from the toolbar, right-click on an empty space and select Customize. You can then drag and drop items to rearrange them or remove them from the toolbar.
2.2. Change the theme:
Firefox Beta supports various themes to match your preference. To change the theme, click the Menu button (≡), go to Add-ons and Themes > Themes, and choose your desired theme.
3. Improve Performance and Privacy
Optimize your Firefox Beta experience with these performance and privacy tips:
3.1. Enable tracking protection:
To block trackers and enhance your privacy, click the Menu button (≡), then go to Preferences > Privacy & Security. Under the Enhanced Tracking Protection section, choose the desired protection level.
3.2. Enable hardware acceleration:
To boost performance by utilizing your computer’s GPU, click the Menu button (≡), then go to Preferences > General. Scroll down to the Performance section and ensure the Use hardware acceleration when available option is checked.
4. Discover Keyboard Shortcuts
Mastering keyboard shortcuts can significantly enhance your browsing efficiency. Here are some useful shortcuts for Firefox Beta on Linux Mint:
Update your APT repository listing to reflect the changes:
sudo apt update
Reinstall Firefox Stable
To install the stable version of Firefox, run the following command:
sudo apt install firefox
Verify the installed version
Once the stable version is installed, check the version of Firefox:
firefox --version
Congratulations! You have successfully removed Firefox Beta and reverted to the stable version of Firefox on your Linux Mint desktop.
Conclusion
In this guide, we have covered the process of installing Firefox Beta on Linux Mint, along with various tips and tricks to enhance your browsing experience. Following these steps, you can explore new features and improvements in Firefox Beta before they become available in the stable version. It’s important to remember that the beta version may have bugs or performance issues, but it allows you to contribute feedback to help improve Firefox.
Additional Resources and Links
To further enhance your knowledge of Firefox and Linux Mint, here are some official resources and documentation that you might find useful:
1. Mozilla Firefox Support:
Mozilla Support: Visit the official support site for guides, articles, and troubleshooting tips for all Firefox products.
Firefox Help: Access in-depth help articles and FAQs specifically for the Firefox browser.
2. Firefox Beta Documentation:
Firefox Beta Release Notes: Stay up-to-date with the latest features and improvements in Firefox Beta by reviewing the release notes.
3. Linux Mint Documentation:
Linux Mint Official User Guide: Explore the official Linux Mint user guide for an introduction to the operating system, installation instructions, and helpful tips.
Linux Mint Community: Join the Linux Mint community to find tutorials, ask questions, and share your knowledge with others.
