Here's How to Install Firefox on a Chromebook

Key Takeaways

You can install Firefox on a Chromebook using either Google Play or the Linux development environment.
Firefox for Android is ideal if you want to take advantage of features like synced logins and bookmarks by using a simple app.
Alternatively, Linux Firefox gives you access to a wider range of browser add-ons and a convenient desktop layout, but its installation process is complex.

You can install Firefox on a Chromebook, but it isn’t easy to access the proper desktop version of Firefox. Here’s everything you need to know about the two versions of Firefox for Chromebook and how you can install them.

Can You Use Firefox on a Chromebook?

You can install Firefox on a Chromebook using one of two different methods: downloading Firefox for Android from Google Play or installing the full Linux version.

Firefox for Android is sufficient for most tasks, but browsing the web is undoubtedly easier with Linux Firefox. Your access to browser add-ons will expand from the limited Firefox for Android selection to the full breadth of Mozilla’s Firefox Add-Ons store. You’ll also enjoy the desktop layout’s proper bookmarks bar and tab bar.

Download Firefox for Android From the Google Play Store

The simplest method of getting Firefox onto your Chromebook is to download the Firefox for Android app. Click the Google Play icon on your taskbar and search for Firefox. Select the Firefox Fast & Private Browser app and click Install.

Once Firefox is finished installing, you can sync your saved passwords and browser history by opening the app and clicking through the three-dot icon > Sync and save data. You can also view your bookmarks and history, install new browser add-ons, and switch to the desktop site mode through this extended menu.

Install Firefox on Chromebook With Linux

If you’re comfortable with a more complex installation process, the full Linux version of Firefox will provide a superior browsing experience. Before proceeding, you’ll need to activate Linux on your Chromebook by opening Settings and navigating through Advanced > Developers.

activating the linux development environment through chromebook developer settings

Look for the Linux development environment option in the Developers tab and click Turn on. When the configuration menu appears, enter a username and drag the disk size slider until you’re satisfied with the settings. 10 GB of disk space is sufficient for most purposes.

Finally, click Install and wait for your Chromebook to finish setting up the new Linux environment. If you have already installed your Linux environment, you should verify that it is still up-to-date. You can confirm this by opening the Terminal, selecting Penguin, and entering the following command:

 cat /etc/os-release

Firefox won’t work correctly if your Linux isn’t version 10 or above.

determining linux environment version and updating linux on chromeos

You can update your Linux development container by entering the following command:

 sudo bash /opt/google/cros-containers/bin/upgrade_container

Now that you’ve updated your Linux development container, all that’s left for you to do is to find out whether your Chromebook has an ARM or x86 processor. You can do so using Cog. After installing and running Cog, you can see your processor type under Architecture.

determining chromebook processor architecture with cog on chromeos

How to Install Firefox With Flatpak on an x86 Chromebook

If your Chromebook has an x86 processor, you can install Firefox with Flatpak. After opening the Terminal and selecting Penguin, update your package repository and install Flatpak with the following commands:

 sudo apt update
sudo apt install flatpak

After Flatpak finishes installing, you’ll need to add the Flathub package repository to your Chromebook with this command:

 sudo flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

installing firefox as a flatpak on chromeos

Finally, install Firefox using Flatpak. You can download Firefox directly from Flathub, or enter the following command in the Terminal:

 sudo flatpak install flathub org.mozilla.firefox

Once Firefox finishes installing, you can launch Firefox by opening the start menu, expanding the Linux apps folder, and clicking on the Firefox icon.

How to Install Firefox on an ARM Chromebook

Firefox isn’t officially supported on ARM, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to install it on your Chromebook. Click to open the Terminal again and select Penguin. Next, enter the following commands:

 sudo apt update
sudo apt install firefox-esr

This will update your packages and download the ESR (Extended Support Release) version of Firefox.

installing firefox esr through the chromeos linux environment terminal

You won’t have access to the latest upgrades and features when using Firefox ESR. Despite this, Firefox ESR’s stability still makes it a great fit for most users. Due to the nature of extended support releases, you will need to update Firefox after approximately one year of use.

Configure and Use Firefox Effectively

Firefox is an incredible browser, but it can be difficult to take advantage of its unique features if you’re used to other browsers. Consider checking out some of Firefox’s compelling features, and try installing a few add-ons to streamline your browsing while you’re at it.