Find and install add-ons to add features to Firefox

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  • Comment: [Fx57] "Appearance" is now "Themes"
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  • Reviewed by: AliceWyman
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Add-ons let you add bells & whistles to Firefox. You can get add-ons that compare prices, check the weather, change the look of Firefox, listen to music, or even update your Facebook profile. This article covers the different types of add-ons available and how to find and install them.

What types of add-ons can I install?

There are three general types of add-ons:

  • Extensions
    Extensions add new features to Firefox or modify existing ones. There are extensions that allow you to block advertisements, download videos from websites, integrate Firefox with websites like Facebook or Twitter, and even add features from other browsers.
  • AppearanceThemes
    There are two types of appearance add-onsthemes: complete themes, which change the look of buttons & menus, and background themes, which decorate the menu bar and tab strip with a background image.
    Complete themes are considered Legacy add-ons and will be deactivated in Firefox version 57. For more information, see Built-in themes in Firefox - alternative to complete themes.
  • Plugins
    Plugins add support for all kinds of Internet content. These usually include patented formats like Flash and Silverlight that are used for video, audio, online games, presentations and more. Plugins are created and distributed by other companies.
    Support ended for all NPAPI plugins, except for Adobe Flash, in Firefox version 52. See this article for details.

To view which add-ons you have installed:

  1. Click the menu button New Fx Menu and choose Add-ons. The Add-ons Manager tab will open.
  2. Select the Extensions, AppearanceThemes or Plugins panels to view your add-ons.

How do I find and install add-ons?

Here is an overview to get you started:

  1. Click the menu button Fx89menuButton, click Add-ons and themes and select Get Add-ons.
  2. To see more information on a Featured Add-on or Theme, click it. You can then click the green Add to Firefox button to install it.
    • You can also search for specific add-ons by using the search box at the top. You can then install any add-ons you find with the Install button.
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  3. Firefox will download the requested add-on and may ask you to confirm that you want to install it.
  4. Click Restart Now if it pops up. Your tabs will be saved and restored after the restart.

Here is an overview to get you started:

  1. Click the menu button Fx89menuButton, click Add-ons and themes and select Get Add-ons.
  2. To install a featured add-on, click the grey toggle button, which will turn green. To uninstall an add-on you just installed, click the toggle button again.
    Fx48-GetAddons

At the bottom of the list of featured add-ons, there's a See more add-ons! button you can click. It will take you to addons.mozilla.org where you can search for specific add-ons.

For advanced users: You can also install add-ons from a file. If you saved the installer file to your computer, (for example, an .xpi or .jar file) you can install the add-on using the gear icon gear icon in the upper-right area of the Add-on Manager Extensions panel. Select Install Add-on from file... from the menu, then find and select the file.

Some extensions place a button in the toolbar after installation. You can remove those or move them into the menu if you want - see Customize Firefox controls, buttons and toolbars.

If you later want to uninstall an add-on, see Disable or remove Add-ons.

Troubleshooting add-ons

For information on troubleshooting problems with extensions, plugins or themes, see the articles below.

Problems with installing or uninstalling add-ons

Problems caused by add-ons

Note: Mozilla has overhauled the underlying technology for Firefox add-ons. For more information, see Firefox add-on technology is modernizing.