After looking at various browser alternatives to Firefox (my daily driver for years), I decided to try LibreWolf and the transition was trivial on a Debian based system (by HN standards). My extensions even ran without logging in (YMMV).
First install LibreWolf:
sudo apt update && sudo apt install extrepo -y
sudo extrepo enable librewolf
sudo apt update && sudo apt install librewolf -y
Second:
After closing Firefox, copy Firefox profile (in ~/.mozilla/firefox/) to Librevox profile (in ~/.librewolf/).
Note: I copied the profile into the default profile (as seen in about:profiles) not default-default. I then launched the profile and all my tabs were restored, bookmarks, logins, etc. I will update if something seems broken.
17 Comments
sshine
Sounds great.
Related: Self-Hosting a Firefox Sync Server
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43214294
28304283409234
Do note that LW deletes all cookies upon exit. This default setting can be changed of course, but it tripped me up.
cookiengineer
Careful with following these instructions, because the profile contains the user settings file. You are effectively nullifying librewolfs changes to the standard settings which are there to disable firefox's tracking/suggestion/analytics features.
Just make sure to diff them at least or migrate the parts you want to keep.
spudlyo
If you're interested in moving over to LibreWolf, I also submitted a thread[0] to /r/LibreWolf for recent Firefox refugees asking for suggestions and comments on how people dealt with the transition. It has nearly 100 comments, and some good info.
[0]:https://old.reddit.com/r/LibreWolf/comments/1j0ckr9/recent_f…
lazyeye
Note: there is also the Mullvad browser which is based on the Tor browser (with the Tor bit removed). It works fine without a VPN.
https://mullvad.net/en/browser
diabllicseagull
I had a bit of a failed transition while hoping for a fast one. I gave the app image for Macos a try. the available binaries are for Intel only, and 120Hz scrolling isn't working despite matching the final Firefox version to the point. I can't tell what else is missed out from Firefox. I didn't have much luck with the Homebrew version either. It doesn't run at all.
Anyone got better luck on Mac?
DyslexicAtheist
on sid currently fails when following the installation instructions from their website.
p_ing
Librewolf isn't going to be practical for macOS users. It isn't signed appropriately and will not run unless you xattr -c on the app package. That's unfortunate. I'm not sure if an update will re-establish the macOS quarantine flags or not.
e2le
> sudo apt update && sudo apt install extrepo -y sudo extrepo enable librewolf sudo apt update && sudo apt install librewolf -y
The problem, at least for me, is that it requires confidence and trust to give away what is root access to my system and my life and hope they don't intentionally or unintentionally abuse it (malware). I'm sure they are trustworthy people but I would be lying if I said it didn't fill me with anxiety.
neilv
I'm considering moving to LibreWolf, and also promoting it in various ways, so some due diligence questions on my mind:
1. How responsive is LibreWolf to security updates? (Once Firefox pushes them out to users, how soon are LibreWolf users then also protected from the now-public vulnerabilities.)
2. Who maintains LibreWolf? Who is in position to vet Mozilla code, vet LibreWolf-specific code, modify, or release code? How are new people given these powers? What is the protection against bad actors on the team, or compromising people on the team?
3. Given some of the odd behavior in the last few years, is there a plan if, hypothetically, a Mozilla executive were to somehow cut off or sabotage LibreWolf? (For example, plan to pivot to doing a hard fork, while somehow assembling and vetting sufficient volunteers to make that viable? Or plan to rebase off some European or LatAm gov't-funded hard fork, while performing much the same third-party vetting&tweaking distro function as done now? Or plan to give up?)
4. Are there any thoughts on when it might make sense to get under the funding&governance umbrella of some tech public interest organization?
5. Any thoughts on moving to official Debian packages (e.g., a combination of the official Stable-track channels for something Firefox ESR-like, plus the Debian Backports channel for the latest browser features)?
(Please note that these infosec questions aren't intended to reflect negative impressions of LibreWolf. The reason for asking is that there are positive impressions of LibreWolf, and these are some questions to consider when moving forward.)
jamesy0ung
Side note: Why does Mozilla pay their CEO $6.9 million as of 2022 [0] while seemingly mismanaging their business? As a Firefox user, Mozilla feels like a hollow company with little impact, existing primarily to give Google the appearance of competition. This seems like just another example of Mozilla sabotaging themselves.
[0] https://assets.mozilla.net/annualreport/2022/mozilla-fdn-990…
yesnomaybe
I've been using it on macOS for quite some time now, coming from Safari, and am really happy with it. I use homebrew like so:
brew install librewolf –no-quarantine
brew upgrade librewolf –no-quarantine
After a bit of wrestling with a few per page settings, I have most websites running how I like them.
I use Zoom Page WE to manage per page zoom levels, this alone was a game changer for me compared to Safari.
I'm planning to fully switch to Linux someday which will probably be arch so I've done a test setup. I've installed the https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/librewolf-bin package and that worked equally well.
AlgebraFox
This is a bad idea. I don't know if customization made by LibreWolf to protect your privacy would be undone by using Mozilla's version of the profiles.
vivzkestrel
you don't even know who the person in charge of librewolf is or what their affiliations are and you want people to hop from Firefox to some random dude on the internet because you think they are trustworthy?
benzesandbetter
> If you know CSS, you also know the style framework. If you understand JavaScript, TypeScript is not a big problem for you. And that makes you a Senior or Principal.
Mastery of the languages/frameworks you're working in does not make some a Senior or Principal.
While deep expertise in a language is important, true senior and principal engineers combine this mastery with many other skills.
They demonstrate strong architectural knowledge, guide and mentor others, and champion best practices.
They communicate effectively with colleagues and partners of various levels and roles.
They take ownership of complex initiatives end to end, balancing near-term needs with long-term goals.
Their value lies in how they combine technical excellence with leadership, problem-solving, and the ability to align technology decisions to broader business objectives.
hulitu
> Show HN: Fast Transition from Firefox to Librewolf
Librewolf is still connecting to e100.net.
programmer_dude
FWIW: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyjiOBWH91s
The lead maintainer OHFP is quite the character. I think Librewolf is hosed. I am not gonna touch it with a 10 foot pole.