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How to Update Firefox on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iPhone

Learn how to update Firefox manually, turn on automatic updates, update Firefox from app stores, and fix common Firefox update problems.

  • firefox
  • browser
  • software update
  • windows
  • macos

Firefox usually updates automatically, but you can also check for updates manually from the About Firefox screen. On Windows and macOS, open Firefox, go to Menu > Help > About Firefox, wait for Firefox to check for updates, then click Restart to update Firefox if an update is available.

Keeping Firefox updated is important because browser updates often include security fixes, website compatibility improvements, bug fixes, and new features.

Table of Contents

How to update Firefox on Windows

Use this method if you installed Firefox directly from Mozilla.

  1. Open Firefox.
  2. Click the menu button in the top-right corner.
  3. Go to Help.
  4. Click About Firefox.
  5. Firefox will automatically check for updates.
  6. If an update is available, wait for it to download.
  7. Click Restart to update Firefox.

After Firefox restarts, the update should be installed.

You can also download the latest installer from the official Firefox website:

https://www.firefox.com/

Running the installer again normally keeps your bookmarks, passwords, extensions, and browser profile. It is useful when the built-in updater is not working.

How to update Firefox on Mac

On macOS, the process is almost the same, but the menu location is slightly different.

  1. Open Firefox.
  2. In the top menu bar, click Firefox.
  3. Click About Firefox.
  4. Wait while Firefox checks for updates.
  5. If an update is available, let it download.
  6. Click Restart to update Firefox.

If Firefox was installed by downloading it from Mozilla, this is the normal update method.

If your Mac is managed by a school, workplace, or organization, update settings may be controlled by an administrator.

How to update Firefox on Linux

Firefox updates on Linux depend on how Firefox was installed.

If Firefox came from your Linux distribution, update it through your system package manager or software updater. In that case, Firefox may not show normal update buttons inside the browser.

For Ubuntu or Debian-based systems, you can usually update system packages with:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

For Fedora:

sudo dnf upgrade

For Arch Linux:

sudo pacman -Syu

If you installed Firefox manually from Mozilla instead of using your distribution package manager, you can usually update it from:

Menu > Help > About Firefox

Mozilla’s official support page also notes that Linux distribution builds are updated through the distribution’s own repositories, not always through Firefox’s internal updater.

Official guide:

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/update-firefox-latest-release

How to update Firefox from the Microsoft Store

If you installed Firefox from the Microsoft Store, Firefox updates are handled by the Microsoft Store instead of the normal Firefox updater.

To update it:

  1. Open Microsoft Store.
  2. Go to Library.
  3. Click Get updates.
  4. If Firefox has an update, install it from there.

This matters because the About Firefox page may not behave the same way for Microsoft Store installations.

How to update Firefox on Android

To update Firefox on Android:

  1. Open the Google Play Store.
  2. Search for Firefox.
  3. Open the Firefox app page.
  4. Tap Update if the button is available.

You can also update all apps from:

Google Play Store > Profile icon > Manage apps & device > Updates available

If you do not see an update button, Firefox is probably already up to date or the update has not reached your device yet.

How to update Firefox on iPhone or iPad

To update Firefox on iOS or iPadOS:

  1. Open the App Store.
  2. Tap your profile icon.
  3. Scroll to the available updates list.
  4. Tap Update next to Firefox.

You can also search for Firefox in the App Store and tap Update from the app page if an update is available.

How to turn on automatic Firefox updates

Firefox normally updates automatically, but you can check your update settings manually.

  1. Open Firefox.
  2. Click the menu button.
  3. Select Settings.
  4. Go to the General section.
  5. Scroll down to Firefox Updates.

You should see update options such as automatic updates and update checking. For most users, the best option is to allow Firefox to install updates automatically.

On Windows, Firefox can also use background updates, which allow updates to be installed even when Firefox is not currently open.

How to check your Firefox version

To see which version of Firefox you are using:

  1. Open Firefox.
  2. Click the menu button.
  3. Go to Help.
  4. Click About Firefox.

The version number appears in the About Firefox window. This same window also checks for updates.

You can compare your version with Mozilla’s official release notes:

https://www.firefox.com/en-US/releases/

How to fix Firefox not updating

If Firefox does not update correctly, try these fixes.

1. Restart Firefox

Sometimes Firefox has already downloaded an update but needs a restart before applying it.

Close Firefox completely, open it again, then check:

Menu > Help > About Firefox

2. Restart your computer

A pending system restart can sometimes block software updates. Restart your computer, open Firefox, and check for updates again.

3. Run Firefox as administrator on Windows

If Firefox cannot write update files, permission issues may be the problem.

  1. Close Firefox.
  2. Right-click the Firefox shortcut.
  3. Click Run as administrator.
  4. Go to Menu > Help > About Firefox.
  5. Try updating again.

You should not need to do this every time, but it can help when a stuck update is caused by permissions.

4. Download and reinstall Firefox from Mozilla

If the updater is broken, download the latest Firefox installer from the official website:

https://www.firefox.com/

Close Firefox, run the installer, and open Firefox again.

This usually keeps your existing Firefox profile, including bookmarks, saved passwords, extensions, and history. Still, if your browser data is very important, it is a good idea to sign in to Firefox Sync or make a backup before reinstalling.

5. Check if Firefox is managed by an organization

If Firefox says something like “Your browser is being managed by your organization”, update settings may be controlled by enterprise policies.

This can happen on work or school computers. It can also happen on some Linux distributions where updates are intentionally handled by the system package manager.

For enterprise-managed installs, Mozilla documents policies such as DisableAppUpdate and AppAutoUpdate:

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/managing-firefox-updates

6. Check your Linux package manager

On Linux, the Firefox update may not appear inside Firefox itself. If Firefox was installed through your distribution, use your system updater instead.

For example, on Ubuntu or Debian-based systems:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

This updates Firefox only if your distribution repository has a newer Firefox package available.

7. Check your internet connection or VPN

Firefox needs internet access to check for updates. If update checks fail:

  • Disable your VPN temporarily.
  • Try another network.
  • Check firewall or antivirus settings.
  • Restart your router if other apps also have connection issues.

8. Make sure your operating system is still supported

Newer Firefox versions may require a supported operating system. If you use an old version of Windows, macOS, or Linux, Firefox may only receive limited updates or may move to an Extended Support Release version.

If updates stop appearing, check Mozilla’s official support pages for your operating system.

Should you update Firefox immediately?

For most people, yes. Browser updates are not just cosmetic. They often include security patches and compatibility fixes for modern websites.

The safest setup is:

  • Keep automatic updates enabled.
  • Restart Firefox when it asks.
  • Download Firefox only from Mozilla or your device’s official app store.
  • Avoid fake update popups from random websites.

A real Firefox update should come from Firefox itself, Mozilla’s official website, your operating system package manager, or an official app store.

FAQ

Does Firefox update automatically?

Yes, Firefox updates automatically in most normal installations. You can still manually check for updates from Menu > Help > About Firefox.

Why does Firefox say it is up to date, but I know there is a newer version?

A few things can cause this. Your update may not have rolled out yet, your Firefox installation may be managed by your operating system or organization, or you may be using a Linux distribution package that updates through system repositories.

Will updating Firefox delete my bookmarks?

No, a normal Firefox update should not delete your bookmarks, saved passwords, extensions, or history. Your browser data is stored in your Firefox profile.

Is it safe to reinstall Firefox to update it?

Yes, if you download Firefox from the official Mozilla website. Reinstalling Firefox normally keeps your profile data. Still, backing up important browser data is always a smart move.

How do I update Firefox ESR?

Firefox ESR can be updated from the same About Firefox screen if it was installed directly from Mozilla. In managed environments, ESR updates may be controlled by IT policies or software deployment tools.

What is the safest place to download Firefox?

Use Mozilla’s official website:

https://www.firefox.com/

For mobile devices, use the Google Play Store on Android or the App Store on iPhone and iPad.

Conclusion

The fastest way to update Firefox on desktop is to open Menu > Help > About Firefox, let Firefox check for updates, and restart the browser when asked.

If you installed Firefox from the Microsoft Store, update it through the Microsoft Store. If you use Linux, your package manager may handle Firefox updates instead. If Firefox refuses to update, reinstalling the latest version from Mozilla is usually the simplest fix.