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Firefox different versions
Firefox currently has 3 different versions for Android. 1. Firefox Nightly 2. firefox beta 3.Firefox
Both FF nightly and FF beta are test software and seem to duplicates. Why not just have one test browser?
Opaite Mbohovái (20)
Hi
Thank you for your great question.
- Firefox is the final released version
- Firefox Beta needs a bit more polishing and testing before it becomes the released version.
- Firefox Nightly is where new features are landed, changed and tested and is not as stable.
I personally have used Nightly versions for almost five years as my main browsers, but this is not for everyone as sometimes things go a bit wrong (and are fixed very quickly). Most people use the release version - the one that has the most polish and testing.
I hope that this helps.
I though the third FF is the production version? Is FF beta suppose to replace FF ? There are 3 versions.
This is similar to the desktop version:
- Beta = Release version + 1
- Nightly = Beta version + 1
Since the Android version is less mature, I use Nightly as my main browser on Android to get the the maximum features. However, people who need more stability and fewer updates may prefer Beta.
There are three versions not two as of Jan-27-2021
1. Firefox browser version 85.10 2. Firefox beta version 85.0.0-beta.9 3 Firefox nightly version 210125 17:01
I thought the 1st on version 85.10 was general production but if not what does it represent?
Some of the trains might not be running exactly on time, but you do understand that they represent the current release, the next release in beta, and the release after that in active development.
I do not understand. When you say they represent current release ? FF version 85.10 does not support DOH but the other do.
Hi
To be fair, the other two versions do not support DOH, they just have about:config exposed where some people may wish to change settings (carefully) to turn it on. DOH has not been tested or built for Firefox for Android - if it was it would be easier to turn on in the interface.
The version of Firefox for Android that is not Beta and not Nightly is the final released version. Beta and Nightly are test and in development versions.
This is why I place the post. All three version at one time had the ability to perform "about:config" which allowed DOH to be configured.
The current Firefox browser version 85.10 the about:config was removed and it could no longer be configured for DOH.
Since a FF beta mean it will eventual become a main stream once the bugs are worked out of the browser, will it be replacing Firefox browser version 85.10 ? There by having only 2 browsers in the app store ?
Hi
There will still be three versions of Firefox for Android in the Google Play store, but the version numbers will advance.
There are currently no plans to make about: config available outside of the Beta and Nightly channels.
What is the purpose of FF 85.10 looks to a new user like the main FF browser. How is that app to be used since it doesn't support about:config? Is it the main browser for Android users ? If not what is considered the main browser?
Yes, that is the main copy of Firefox for Android for most users.
How can the main FF android version not have about:config but the test versions have that capability? Even jsher2000 made reference to it being similiar to the desktop version which it is not.
Mace2 said
How can the main FF android version not have about:config but the test versions have that capability? Even jsher2000 made reference to it being similiar to the desktop version which it is not.
I didn't mean that Firefox for Android was functionally similar to Firefox for desktop. Obviously it is radically different. Mozilla's approach of having 3 releases available -- regular, beta, and nightly -- is similar between the two. As for why about:config is unavailable in the regular release, I haven't looked into it.
Going back to my original questions.
1. Firefox browser version 85.10 2. Firefox beta version 85.0.0-beta.9 3 Firefox nightly version 210125 17:01
Version number 2 the beta is redundant and is not need since it is a test app. Number 1 is the main app and nightly is also a test app which represents new features and updates before placed in the main app.
What reason is there to keep version 2 the beta ?
Although the numbers will update, it is not done in the same way as on a desktop copy of Firefox and can lead to the numbers displaying as you are seeing now.
I am not concerned with the version numbers.
I want to know why three FF versions exist in the play store when only 2 should exist. A test version and the general public version.
Firefox for Android Nightly releases contain experimental features for testing and development.
Firefox for Android Beta is testing the next version of Firefox before it becomes the official release.
Firefox for Android is the official release of Firefox.
Why is it FF for android doesn't have about:config?
How long has Android beta been available ?
Firefox for Android Beta has been available for quite a few years now.
In the new Firefox for Android about:config does not do as much and could break your browser. As a result we only make it available in the test builds.
If a beta is available for a few years that is not a beta especially since the nightly FF exists and a firefox for android.
The FF for Android does not have about:config capabilities like the other all other versions of FF. this is why 3 versions are confising. What features does noghtly have that beta does not have ?