The latest version of Mozilla Firefox for Android is bringing a much-anticipated feature to Android foldables tablets: Desktop Web Browsing. This means that users with a large-screen Android device can use the Firefox web browser to access the desktop version of any website. This feature will be rolled out through Firefox for Android version 133.
As per the release dates for version 133.0 of Firefox for Android, Desktop mode browsing is now enabled by default for large devices. However, users have an option to turn off the feature if they would like to stick to the mobile view. They can do this by going to Site Settings > Settings. The release notes indicate that the Firefox browser will consider foldable smartphones and tablet PCs as large-screen Android devices.
iPadOS was the first to introduce desktop-grade web browsing through Safari. Shortly after, Google Chrome brought the feature in 2023, but it was restricted to premium Android tablets. More importantly, the Chrome version for Android did not offer the feature on foldable devices, including Pixel 9 Pro Fold and Galaxy Z Fold 6. Instead, Chrome for Android on foldable smartphones has been loading sites in mobile mode.
Given the discriminatory availability of the feature on Google Chrome, the newest release can provide a form of leverage to Firefox for Android. Firefox becomes an easier and more feature-rich option for those who use a foldable Android smartphone or a non-premium Android tablet. This feature has also been popular since it was introduced on iPadOS, allowing users to access the web as though they were using a Mac.
It is unclear whether Firefox for Android will emulate a device like iPadOS, which emulates macOS. Yet, those who use large-screen Android devices can get a much better browsing experience when they shift to Firefox from Google Chrome or Samsung Internet. While most browsers have had the option to request the desktop site, it is convenient to have a browser that does not require users to make the change every single session.
Firefox for Android version 133 has introduced another feature alongside the default desktop browsing for large-screen devices. From this version onward, content copied from private browsing tabs will stay masked. Firefox does this by treating the clipboard content as Sensitive. Both features are expected to add value to the overall browsing experience that Firefox offers on Android devices, taking a shot at Chrome.
