# Waterfox > Official Waterfox blog, documentation, support articles, policies, and changelogs. These exports preserve the original Markdown or MDX source and frontmatter, with a canonical HTML URL added. MDX imports, component tags, and expressions are not rendered. Relative links should be resolved against the canonical HTML URL. Use the HTML page for content generated by components, including linked security advisories. ## Blog - [15 Years of Forking](): Today marks 15 years of Waterfox! - [9 Years of Waterfox](): Waterfox is entering its tenth year of service, thanks to its support and code contributors. The company has undergone significant changes, including new infrastructure and team members. - [A Comment on Mozilla's Policy Changes](): A short commentary on Mozilla's policy changes and how they affect the user community. - [A New Chapter for Waterfox](): Waterfox is independent again, allowing the community to shape its future. The founder remains committed to delivering a privacy-focused, customisable browser and thanks the community. - [Away until 3rd of July + Adobe Issues](): Unable to resolve a Flash issue due to holiday break, will be addressed upon return. - [An Update on Waterfox Classic](): Waterfox Classic and G4 have diverged, with G4 focusing on modern web compatibility and privacy. - [No AI* Here - A Response to Mozilla's Next Chapter](): Mozilla's pivot to AI first browsing raises fundamental questions about what a browser should be. - [Waterfox 43.0 & 43.0.1 (Installer Only) Reverted back to 40.1.0 and some Insight into Waterfox](): An explanation on why the Windows installer for Waterfox 43 was reverted back to 40.1.0 and insight into the challenges of building Firefox with Intel's C++ compiler. - [Waterfox 4th Generation Release](): 4th Generation of Waterfox, featuring a new website, optimized browser, and a new website for documentation. - [BrowserWorks Is Part of the Browser Choice Alliance](): BrowserWorks joins the Browser Choice Alliance to advocate for genuine browser choice, fair competition, and user privacy on Windows. - [4 Year Anniversary Waterfox Charity and Storm Search](): The announcement of a new idea for the platform - Charitable Giving. - [Waterfox Decennial Release](): The decennial release marks the start of a journey that has evolved from a side project to a major player. - [Waterfox has joined System1](): Waterfox now has funding and a development team, so Waterfox can finally start to grow! - [Waterfox in 2023: Evolution, Independence, and Forward Momentum](): In 2023, Waterfox embarked on a transformative journey. This pivotal year saw a resurgence of advancements, including a refreshed website, independence, and significant releases. - [Waterfox in Partnership with Fastly](): Waterfox and Fastly join forces for DoOH, enhancing web privacy with encrypted DNS queries and independent third-party operation. - [Waterfox, Its Legacy and Looking to the Future](): The 27th of March 2018 marked 7 years since the first release of Waterfox, first posted on the Overclock.net forums. It has been quite a journey, not one I had envisioned myself taking. - [Waterfox partners with Qwant](): Waterfox partners with Qwant to support privacy-first, independent search. - [Introducing Waterfox Private Search (Beta)](): Announcing the open beta of Waterfox Private Search, our new meta-search engine designed with privacy at its core. - [Waterfox × Tree Style Tab: A Collaboration for the Waterfox Sidebar](): A look at an upcoming feature in Waterfox -- the sidebar! - [Where Waterfox stands on AI and LLMs](): Waterfox will not integrate LLMs into the browser. This commitment is about protecting your browsing privacy, not opposing the use of the technology outright. ## Support - [Add-on badges]() - [Manage extensions and themes in Waterfox](): Install, update, disable, and remove Waterfox extensions and themes. - [Find and install add-ons in Waterfox for Android]() - [Translate websites in Waterfox for Android]() - [Common Myths about Private Browsing]() - [Manage my default search engines in Waterfox for Android]() - [Enhanced Tracking Protection in Waterfox for Android]() - [Waterfox for Android Support]() - [Searching with Waterfox for Android]() - [How to set up Sync in Waterfox for Android]() - [HTTPS-Only Mode in Waterfox for Android]() - [Grant camera access to Waterfox for Android]() - [Scan QR codes in Waterfox for Android]() - [Set Waterfox for Android as the default browser]() - [Automatically fill in your address on web forms]() - [Automatically trust third-party root certificates in Waterfox]() - [Breach alerts in the address bar privacy panel]() - [Personalize Waterfox with colorways]() - [Connection upgrades in Waterfox]() - [How to use Waterfox containers]() - [Automatically fill in payment methods on web forms]() - [Data Loss Prevention (DLP) in Waterfox]() - [Configure DNS over HTTPS protection levels in Waterfox]() - [Watch DRM-controlled content in Waterfox]() - [Enhanced Tracking Protection in Waterfox for desktop]() - [Disable Enterprise Roots in Waterfox]() - [Recommendations as you browse]() - [Manage Waterfox extensions in Private Browsing]() - [Customize address bar suggestions in Waterfox]() - [Global Privacy Control]() - [What happened to the Do Not Track feature?]() - [Generate a secure password in Waterfox]() - [HTTPS-Only Mode in Waterfox]() - [Alerts for breached websites]() - [Open Waterfox automatically when you start your computer]() - [Manage Enhanced Tracking Protection exceptions in Waterfox]() - [Your browser is being managed by your organization]() - [Control audio or video playback with your keyboard]() - [Mixed content blocking in Waterfox]() - [Add alt text to images in PDFs]() - [Waterfox performance settings]() - [Turn Picture-in-Picture mode controls on and off]() - [Fix "The bookmarks and history system will not be functional" error message]() - [Troubleshoot a plugin crash in Waterfox]() - [Change Waterfox options, preferences and settings]() - [Connection settings in Waterfox]() - [Use a Primary Password to protect stored logins and passwords]() - [Profile management]() - [Quick Actions in the Waterfox address bar]() - [Mozilla's Recommended Extensions program]() - [Resist Fingerprinting in Waterfox]() - [Restart Waterfox]() - [Screen sharing safety in Waterfox]() - [Secure website certificates]() - [Third-party cookie access in Waterfox]() - [Speech Dispatcher setup]() - [Extensions installed outside the add-on store](): Review the source, permissions, and update behavior of extensions installed directly from a website or file. - [Unsigned extensions in Waterfox](): Understand extension verification warnings and install unsigned or legacy extensions in Waterfox. - [Use the Waterfox spell checker]() - [Waterfox ad blocking]() - [Group new tabs automatically in Waterfox]() - [Waterfox Backup]() - [Waterfox browser styles and colors]() - [Set a custom new tab URL in Waterfox]() - [Waterfox private tabs]() - [Waterfox status bar]() - [Change the tab and toolbar layout in Waterfox]() - [Control Waterfox tab menus and display]() - [Use tree tabs in Waterfox]() - [Waterfox Ultra Protection for DNS]() - [Waterfox update settings]() - [Website translation in Waterfox]() ## Policies - [Company Information & Governance](): Corporate details, registration, and governance for Waterfox. - [LLM Usage Memorandum](): How Waterfox approaches large language models (LLMs) and user choice in the browser. - [Privacy Commitments](): Plain language privacy commitments for Waterfox users. - [Privacy Policy](): Every network connection Waterfox makes on its own, who receives it, why, and how to switch it off. - [Revenue Model](): How Waterfox sustains development and what users can expect. - [Terms of Service](): The terms on which BrowserWorks Ltd makes Waterfox and its associated services available to you. - [Vulnerability Disclosure Policy](): How to report security vulnerabilities in Waterfox, what to include, and when to expect updates from BrowserWorks. ## Changelogs - [Waterfox 6.5.0 Beta 1 — ESR 128 beta and architecture overhaul](): First Waterfox 6.5.0 beta on the ESR 128 branch with updated system requirements, performance tuning, and classic tools returning. - [Waterfox 6.5.0 Beta 2 — Fixes for vertical tabs and default browser issues](): Second 6.5.0 beta focusing on fixing the initial round of vertical tab bugs and default browser handling on Windows. - [Waterfox 6.5.0 Beta 3 — CPU compatibility, security patches, and DRM fixes](): Third 6.5.0 beta improving compatibility with older CPUs, applying security patches, and fixing DRM playback on macOS. - [Waterfox 6.5.0 — ESR 128 stable and architecture overhaul](): First stable Waterfox 6.5 release on the ESR 128 branch with updated system requirements, performance tuning, and classic tools like the legacy password and config managers. - [Waterfox 6.5.1 — JPEG-XL stability and Look & Feel fixes](): Bugfix release that updates the JPEG-XL library to prevent crashes and restores missing Look & Feel strings. - [Waterfox 6.5.10 — Security fixes and Startpage default search](): Patch release that includes the latest security fixes and temporarily switches the default search engine to Startpage while Bing syndication is being retired. - [Waterfox 6.5.11 — Final ESR 128 security update](): Final 6.5.x release on ESR 128 delivering the latest security fixes before the move to ESR 140 in Waterfox 6.6. - [Waterfox 6.5.2 — Theming, vertical tabs, and security fixes](): Patch release focusing on theming improvements, vertical tab stability, and the latest security updates. - [Waterfox 6.5.3 — Stability and theming fixes](): Maintenance release with theming polish, configuration clean-up, and the latest security updates. - [Waterfox 6.5.4 — Security update for 6.5.4](): This patch release delivers the latest upstream security fixes for Waterfox 6.5.4 and documents the remaining known issue with the Restart button on Linux and Windows. - [Waterfox 6.5.5 — Restart button and status bar fixes](): Patch release that restores the Restart button on Linux and Windows, cleans up the status bar text, and includes the latest security updates. - [Waterfox 6.5.6 — JPEG-XL security fixes and WASM sandbox restoration](): Patch release that updates JPEG-XL to address security issues, restores WASM sandboxed libraries, and includes the latest security fixes. - [Waterfox 6.5.7 — Vertical tabs improvements and security fixes](): Patch release focusing on vertical tabs polish, stability, and the latest security updates, plus an open beta of Waterfox Private Search. - [Waterfox 6.5.8 — Security update and media crash hotfix](): Security-focused 6.5.8 release with the latest upstream fixes, a short-lived media crash issue resolved in 6.5.9, and continued promotion of the Waterfox Private Search open beta. - [Waterfox 6.5.9 — Security fixes and media crash patch](): Patch release that addresses media playback crashes and includes the latest upstream security fixes, while continuing the Waterfox Private Search open beta. - [Waterfox 6.6.0 Beta 1 — ESR 140 beta: platform upgrade and modern web features](): First 6.6.0 beta upgrading Waterfox to the ESR 140 platform with WebGPU, modern CSS/DOM/SVG features, improved media and WebRTC, and UI/network/privacy refinements. - [Waterfox 6.6.0 Beta 2 — Tree vertical tabs and automatic tab grouping](): Second 6.6.0 beta focusing on tree-style vertical tabs, automatic tab grouping, and Firefox profile import on the ESR 140 platform. - [Waterfox 6.6.0 Beta 3 — macOS auto-update fix and logo, privacy, and classic extensions tweaks](): Third 6.6.0 beta that fixes a macOS auto-update bug, refreshes the liquid glass logo, tightens speculative connections and remote config behavior, and restores classic extension compatibility. - [Waterfox 6.6.0 Beta 4 — Onboarding and new tab personalization](): Fourth 6.6.0 beta reintroducing the about:welcome setup experience and adds search, weather, and wallpaper customization to the new tab page. - [Waterfox 6.6.0 Beta 5 — Private tab button and privacy fixes](): Fifth 6.6.0 beta adding an easily accessible New Private Tab button and fixing private tab history, translation model downloads, password autofill, and the screenshot tool. - [Waterfox 6.6.0 Beta 6 — Theming and stability fixes before 6.6.0 final](): Final 6.6.0 beta that polishes theming and fixes crashes caused by optimization flags on some systems. - [Waterfox 6.6.0 — Major ESR 140 upgrade with vertical tabs, tab groups, and new tab experience](): Waterfox 6.6.0 upgrades the underlying platform from ESR 128 to 140 and introduces first-party vertical tabs, private tabs, tab grouping, new tab wallpapers, expanded media and hardware acceleration, and privacy-friendly defaults. - [Waterfox 6.6.1 — WebGPU enablement and private tab improvements](): Patch release that enables WebGPU on stable builds, fixes several Linux and Windows UI issues, and adds new privacy and control options for Private Tabs. - [Waterfox 6.6.10 — Discord compatibility and security fixes](): Security fixes and a Discord compatibility fix. - [Waterfox 6.6.11 — Security fixes and feature preview](): This release includes the latest security fixes and a built-in ad blocker available for testing - [Waterfox 6.6.12 — Security fixes and ad blocker improvements](): Security fixes and major improvements to the built-in ad blocker in preview testing. - [Waterfox 6.6.13 — Default ad blocker & search updates](): Security fixes, the built-in ad blocker now enabled by default, a new temporary default search engine, and several web compatibility improvements. - [Waterfox 6.6.14 — Web compatibility and ad blocker refinements](): Compatibility improvements for Discord and Chase, a macOS crash workaround, and reliability improvements for the built-in ad blocker. - [Waterfox 6.6.15 — Security follow-up release](): A follow-up security release for Mozilla Foundation Security Advisory 2026-58, covering the remaining fixes not already included in Waterfox 6.6.14. - [Waterfox 6.6.16 — Qwant becomes the default search engine](): Qwant is now the default search engine, the 6.6.16.1 hotfix corrects default-region and query handling issues, and security fixes shipped ahead of the next ESR 140 release. - [Waterfox 6.6.17 — Security and regional search follow-up](): Includes fixes from the forthcoming MFSA 2026-70, attempts to correct regional search defaults, and adds a privacy-enhancing search suggestion proxy alongside compatibility fixes. - [Waterfox 6.6.2 — Theme refinements, Windows Mica/Acrylic, and tab group improvements](): Waterfox 6.6.2 polishes the theme, refines vertical tabs and Windows translucency, and improves tab grouping behavior while restoring recent history and top sites in the address bar. - [Waterfox 6.6.3 — Theming polish and tab group refinements](): Polish-focused 6.6.3 update that fixes theme style leakage, improves contrast, refines tab group behavior, and updates emoji support. - [Waterfox 6.6.4 — Ecosia partnership, Waterfox Private Search, and search fixes](): Waterfox 6.6.4 restores canonical app naming on Linux, renews the Ecosia partnership, adds Waterfox Private Search, adjusts tab grouping defaults, and fixes several search provider and security issues. - [Waterfox 6.6.5.1 — Startpage default search and Tree Vertical Tabs fix](): Small 6.6.5.1 patch that switches the default search back to Startpage and fixes Tree Vertical Tabs behaviour and options visibility. - [Waterfox 6.6.5 — Ukrainian locale and quick URL copy](): Adds a Ukrainian UI locale, a quick shortcut to copy the current tab URL, and the latest security fixes for Waterfox 6.6.5. - [Waterfox 6.6.6 — Privacy hardening](): Explicitly disables some settings and fixes some feature implementations. - [Waterfox 6.6.7 — Import & Linux video fixes](): Fixes Windows Firefox import issues, resolves Linux HDR playback problems, and ships a verified Flathub Flatpak. - [Waterfox 6.6.8 — Tab unloading & passkeys](): Manual tab unloading with improved unloaded tab previews, macOS passkeys, Windows redist bundling, and assorted import/UI fixes. - [Waterfox 6.6.9 — Security and stability improvements](): Security fixes, certificate reliability improvements, and JPEG-XL performance gains. - [Waterfox 6.7.0-beta.1 — Supernova](): First 6.7.0 beta moving Waterfox to the ESR 153 platform, with tree tabs built natively into vertical tabs, a new Nova style and colour system, ad blocker improvements, and a reworked first-run setup. - [Waterfox 6.7.0-beta.2 — Legacy extensions and Tree Tabs improvements](): Second 6.7.0 beta adding initial support for restartless legacy extensions and prerelease Linux packages, alongside extensive Tree Tabs, compatibility, and palette fixes. - [Waterfox 6.7.0-beta.3 — Ultra Protection returns and Linux package repositories](): Third 6.7.0 beta re-enabling DNS over Oblivious HTTP by default, adding ARM64 Linux packages and a redesigned About dialog, and extending legacy extension support to overlay-based add-ons. - [Waterfox 6.7.0 — Supernova](): Waterfox 6.7 has moved to the ESR 153 platform and now features native tree tabs, the Nova style, and twelve colour palettes. It also boasts a rebuilt ad blocker panel, legacy extension support, a new setup flow, and update controls that finally deliver on their promises. - [Waterfox 6.7.1 — Fine Tuning](): This release restores the full set of interface customisation controls missing in version 6.7, as well as the last four missing privacy toggles. It also extends the tree tabs feature with group tabs, split view, native tab groups, and bookmark folder trees. - [Waterfox 6.7.2 — Improvements to tree tabs and the vertical sidebar](): Tree tabs are more reliable, with more control over their behaviour, fixes for the vertical sidebar, and security updates. - [Waterfox 6.7.3 — Auto-hide vertical tabs and appearance fixes](): Auto-hide vertical tabs, prevent tabs from widening when audio plays, and benefit from fixes for older extensions, sidebar controls and tab appearance. - [Waterfox 6.7.4 — RSS returns and AI search controls](): RSS feeds and Live Bookmarks are back with new search options to hide AI answers, plus a Windows media overlay toggle and JPEG-XL improvements. - [Waterfox 6.7.5 — Read the Feed](): A new feed manager and built-in reader are now available natively within Waterfox. - [Waterfox 6.7.6 — Feed controls and browser fixes](): More control over feeds and a multitude of fixes. - [Waterfox 6.7.7 — JPEG XL improvements and update fixes](): Multi-core JPEG XL loading, browser engine version details and fixes for updates, tab previews and JPEG XL images. - [Waterfox Android 1.1.0 — ESR-based rebuild of Waterfox for Android](): Major rebuild of Waterfox for Android on the ESR codebase with everything compiled from source for better stability, performance, and privacy-friendly defaults. - [Waterfox Android 1.1.1 — DuckDuckGo fix and menu improvements](): Android release that fixes the DuckDuckGo default search engine bug and adds a Quit button plus a menu redesign toggle. - [Waterfox Android 1.1.2 — Experimental themes, wallpapers, and x86_64 support](): Adds experimental theme and wallpaper support on Android and reintroduces support for x86_64 Android devices. - [Waterfox Android 1.1.3 — JPEG-XL animations and theme stability](): Adds support for animated and alpha-transparent JPEG-XL images and fixes crashes when using custom themes on Android. - [Waterfox Android 1.1.4 — OLED black theme](): Android 1.1.4 adds a black theme optimized for OLED devices and updates core libraries for the latest security and performance fixes. - [Waterfox Android 1.1.5 — Ecosia partnership and search fixes](): Android release that renews the Ecosia search partnership, fixes Mojeek search queries, and pulls in the latest security and stability fixes. - [Waterfox Android 1.1.6 — Search defaults and security update](): Updates search defaults on Android and brings in the latest security fixes from Mozilla Foundation Security Advisory 2025-88. - [Waterfox Android 1.1.7 — Startup crash fixes](): Android 1.1.7 fixes crashes and ANR issues on startup for certain devices. - [Waterfox Android 1.1.8 — Security fixes](): Fixes for various security issues - [Waterfox Android 1.1.9 — Security fixes](): Fixes for various security issues - [Waterfox Android 1.2.0 — A stronger foundation](): Less deps, and expanded theme customisation - [Waterfox Android 1.2.1 — Stability and cleanup](): Gecko 148.0.3 and a fix for deleting data on quit - [Waterfox Android 1.2.10 — Security update for compromised eMudhra certificates](): Protects against compromised eMudhra intermediate certificates, fixes certificate blocklist loading at startup and updates Gecko to 159.0. - [Waterfox Android 1.2.2 — Stability and cleanup](): Gecko 149 and a fix for deleting data on quit - [Waterfox Android 1.2.3 — Gecko 150 update](): Gecko 150 and a note on classic menu style requests - [Waterfox Android 1.2.4 — Gecko 151 update](): Gecko 151, security updates, search provider changes, What's New menu behavior, and custom wallpaper improvements - [Waterfox Android 1.2.5 — Gecko 152 update](): Gecko 152, security updates and search provider changes - [Waterfox Android 1.2.6 — Gecko 153 and search updates](): Gecko 153, regional search availability updates, and Qwant AI Answers disabled by default - [Waterfox Android 1.2.7 — Tab groups, homepage improvements and privacy controls](): Features include the Firefox 155.0.1 engine, tab groups enabled by default, a customisable homepage, classic Fennec wallpapers, importing and PDF tools, and stronger privacy safeguards. - [Waterfox Android 1.2.8.1 — Emergency fix for website loading](): Disables Ultra DNS by default to address website loading failures reported after updating to 1.2.8. - [Waterfox Android 1.2.8 — Historical app icons, homepage controls and tab fixes](): Features include the Gecko 156.0 engine, historical Waterfox app icons, new homepage and theme controls, extension installation from file, and fixes for widgets, collections, private browsing and file uploads. - [Waterfox Android 1.2.9 — Shortcut controls, bookmark export and browser fixes](): Gecko 158, more shortcut options, bookmark export, extension update controls, separate website themes and privacy and security improvements.