I’ve wanted to install an extension from outside addons.mozilla.org, but Firefox didn’t let me do it

So I’ve did a small research and looks like there are 3 ways to sideload extensions, but all of them suck

  1. Using FF Developer Edition

In the Dev Edition you can set xpinstall.signatures.required to false in about:config, but the problem is that the Dev Edition isn’t as stable as standard FF

  1. Temporarily load the extension

In about:debugging#/runtime/this-firefox you can temporarily sideload extensions, but they will be removed next time you open FF, which is annoying

  1. Modify FF code

Lastly, I found this script which modifies the FF code, but this can break things so I don’t want to use it

I’m really annoyed that Mozilla gets to decide which extensions I can install. So… what’s the best way to sideload extensions?

Edit: thanks everyone, I’m now using a FF fork (Librewolf) which lets me sideload extensions after disabling xpinstall.signatures.required

    • Luna@lemdro.idOPEnglish
      3·
      1 year ago

      Oh thanks, I didn’t know about unbranded builds

      Also, regular FF stores settings and profiles in ~/.mozilla/firefox, do you know where unbranded builds of FF store them?

      Edit: nvm someone else in this thread said to open about:profiles, and the path to profile folder is there

  • d_k_bo@feddit.de
    7·
    1 year ago

    I agree that this is annoying and feels somewhat similar to apple’s locked down ecosystem.

  • redxef@feddit.de
    7·
    1 year ago

    You can place the .xpi file in a special folder. On my linux system that is in /usr/lib/firefox/browser/extensions/. Which would be the system wide folder. There are others which only affect the current user thkugh.

    The user folder is $profile_dir/extensions/. To open the profile directory you can type about:profile in you address bar and click on Open Directory besides Root Directory in the default profile section.

  • Vincent@feddit.nlEnglish
    2·
    1 year ago

    If you’re talking Android, I believe the F-Droid app store (which I’d recommend anyway) packages a version of Firefox (I think called “Fennec F-Droid”?) that allows the same thing as Nightly and Beta (which I assume you mean with option 1).

    Also, Beta is very stable, just give it a shot. (Though your extensions might not be, especially on mobile.)

  • gerbilOFdoom@beehaw.org
    2·
    1 year ago

    I’ve never had a problem side loading an entire folder into Firefox. Maybe it was an addon rather than extension though?

  • Corgana@startrek.website
    2·
    1 year ago

    Am I missing something or is it possible you’re talking about FF mobile? On PC I just drag the XPI over a FF window and the extension gets added. I just did it today, actually. No modifying needed.

  • Johanno@feddit.de
    31·
    1 year ago

    Compile Firefox from scratch. Use a fork of Firefox like librewolf that allows side loading.

    (idk if librewolf allows it)