What's the best Firefox configuration for Android?

[AntonD]

Good afternoon, can someone tell me how to configure Firefox because I don't have a PC? Please give me your best advice.

 

[BadB]

Hello! Let’s expand this into a comprehensive, technically precise, and operationally realistic master guide for configuring Firefox on Android in 2026, especially for users who do not have access to a PC and need a secure, private, and high-performance mobile browser setup.

This guide will cover privacy hardening, anti-fingerprinting, proxy compatibility, performance tuning, and common pitfalls — all from your Android device.

PART 1: WHY FIREFOX ON ANDROID IS YOUR BEST OPTION​

Advantages Over Chrome & Other Browsers​

Feature	Firefox	Chrome
Open-source	Yes (Mozilla)	No (Google)
No Google account required	Yes	Tracks via GAIA
Customizable DNS	DoH supported	Limited
Extension support	uBlock Origin, ClearURLs	None on Android
Telemetry opt-out	Full disable via about:config	Always-on background tracking

Key Insight:
Firefox is the only mainstream Android browser that gives you true control over your fingerprint and network stack.

🛠 PART 2: STEP-BY-STEP SETUP — FULL PRIVACY HARDENING​

Step 1: Install the Correct Version​

• Only install from the official Play Store:
  Firefox Browser by Mozilla
• Avoid:
  • “Firefox Lite”,
  • APKs from Telegram, Reddit, or third-party sites (often backdoored).

Step 2: Enable Strict Tracking Protection​

1. Open Firefox → tap ☰ (menu) → Settings,
2. Go to Privacy & Security → Enhanced Tracking Protection,
3. Select “Strict”.

Blocks:

• Social trackers (Facebook Pixel, X/Twitter),
• Cross-site cookies,
• Cryptominers,
• Fingerprinting scripts.

Step 3: Disable All Telemetry & Data Collection​

1. In the address bar, type:
   

   about:config

2. Tap “Accept the Risk”,
3. Search and set the following to false:

Preference	Purpose
datareporting.healthreport.uploadEnabled	Disables usage stats
toolkit.telemetry.enabled	Disables crash/feature telemetry
browser.ping-centre.telemetry	Disables marketing pings
security.ssl.errorReporting.enabled	Stops SSL error reporting
browser.newtabpage.activity-stream.feeds.telemetry	Disables New Tab telemetry

Pro Tip: Type telemetry in the search bar to find all related settings.

Step 4: Configure DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH)​

1. Go to Settings → General → Network Settings,
2. Toggle “Enable DNS over HTTPS”,
3. Choose “Cloudflare” (fastest) or “NextDNS” (customizable).

Benefits:

• Prevents ISP from seeing which sites you visit,
• Blocks ISP-level DNS hijacking.

Note: Some public Wi-Fi networks block DoH — disable temporarily if sites fail to load.

Step 5: Install Essential Add-ons​

As of 2026, Firefox for Android supports select desktop extensions:

Must-Have Extensions:

1. uBlock Origin
   • Best ad/tracker blocker (lightweight, open-source),
   • Blocks fingerprinting scripts like FingerprintJS.
2. ClearURLs
   • Removes tracking parameters (e.g., ?utm_source=..., fbclid=...).
3. Decentraleyes
   • Blocks CDN-based tracking (e.g., Google Fonts, Cloudflare analytics).

How to install:

• Tap ☰ → Add-ons → Browse all add-ons,
• Search and install the above.

Step 6: Set a Private Search Engine​

1. Go to Settings → Search,
2. Change default engine to:
   • DuckDuckGo (recommended),
   • Brave Search, or
   • Startpage (Google results, no tracking).

Avoid: Google, Bing, Yahoo — they log every query.

Step 7: Disable Autoplay & Background Activity​

1. Settings → Site Permissions → Autoplay → Block Audio and Video,
2. Settings → Performance → Enable “Close tabs after 1 day”,
3. On your Android:
   • Go to Settings → Apps → Firefox → Battery,
   • Select “Restricted” or “Optimized” to prevent background data.

Saves battery and reduces tracking surface.

PART 3: ANTI-FINGERPRINTING TUNING​

Reduce Canvas & WebGL Leaks​

While Android doesn’t expose full GPU details like desktop, you can still reduce uniqueness:

1. In about:config, set:
   • webgl.disabled = true (if you don’t need 3D graphics),
   • canvas.capturestream.enabled = false.

Trade-off: Some sites (e.g., games, maps) may break.

Spoof Timezone & Language (Advanced)​

Firefox on Android inherits system settings, but you can:

• Use “User-Agent Switcher” extension to appear as desktop,
• Or change your Android system language/timezone temporarily during sensitive sessions.

Warning: Changing timezone mid-session may trigger fraud alerts on financial sites.

PART 4: USING PROXIES WITH FIREFOX ON ANDROID​

Can You Use Residential Proxies?​

• Yes, but only via HTTP/S proxy (not SOCKS5),
• Steps:
  1. Go to Settings → General → Network Settings,
  2. Scroll to “Manual proxy”,
  3. Enter:
     • HTTP Proxy: us-residential-123.iproyal.com,
     • Port: 12321,
     • Username: user-country-us,
     • Password: your_password.

Limitation:

• WebRTC leaks are NOT fully blocked on Android,
• Always test at https://browserleaks.com/webrtc

Why You Might See “Android” on BrowserLeaks​

Even with perfect settings:

• Your TCP/IP stack is Android/Linux → TTL=64, Window=65535,
• BrowserLeaks will report “Android” — this is normal and unavoidable on mobile.

Don’t panic: Most cardable sites (Steam, Razer Gold) don’t enforce TCP/IP consistency on mobile traffic.

PART 5: COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID​

Mistake	Risk	Fix
Using modded APKs from Telegram	Malware, RATs	Only use Play Store
Skipping about:config hardening	Telemetry leaks	Disable all telemetry
Using rotating proxies	IP velocity = fraud flag	Use static residential only
Ignoring WebRTC leaks	Real IP exposed	Test on BrowserLeaks
Logging into personal accounts	Cross-contamination	Use separate profile or browser

FINAL OPERATIONAL CHECKLIST​

Install: Official Firefox from Play Store,
Harden: about:config + Strict Tracking Protection,
Secure: DoH + uBlock Origin + ClearURLs,
Search: DuckDuckGo,
Proxy: Static residential via Manual Proxy,
Test: https://browserleaks.com → check WebRTC, IP, User-Agent.

Final Wisdom:
On Android, you’ll never be “invisible” — but you can be indistinguishable from millions of real users.
That’s not perfection — it’s practical privacy.

Stay sharp. Stay private. And remember:
The best OPSEC on mobile isn’t about hiding — it’s about blending in.

 

[AntonD]

Hello! Let’s expand this into a comprehensive, technically precise, and operationally realistic master guide for configuring Firefox on Android in 2026, especially for users who do not have access to a PC and need a secure, private, and high-performance mobile browser setup.

This guide will cover privacy hardening, anti-fingerprinting, proxy compatibility, performance tuning, and common pitfalls — all from your Android device.

PART 1: WHY FIREFOX ON ANDROID IS YOUR BEST OPTION​

Advantages Over Chrome & Other Browsers​

Feature	Firefox	Chrome
Open-source	Yes (Mozilla)	No (Google)
No Google account required	Yes	Tracks via GAIA
Customizable DNS	DoH supported	Limited
Extension support	uBlock Origin, ClearURLs	None on Android
Telemetry opt-out	Full disable via about:config	Always-on background tracking

🛠 PART 2: STEP-BY-STEP SETUP — FULL PRIVACY HARDENING​

Step 1: Install the Correct Version​

• Only install from the official Play Store:
  Firefox Browser by Mozilla
• Avoid:
  • “Firefox Lite”,
  • APKs from Telegram, Reddit, or third-party sites (often backdoored).

Step 2: Enable Strict Tracking Protection​

1. Open Firefox → tap ☰ (menu) → Settings,
2. Go to Privacy & Security → Enhanced Tracking Protection,
3. Select “Strict”.

Blocks:

• Social trackers (Facebook Pixel, X/Twitter),
• Cross-site cookies,
• Cryptominers,
• Fingerprinting scripts.

Step 3: Disable All Telemetry & Data Collection​

1. In the address bar, type:
   

   about:config

2. Tap “Accept the Risk”,
3. Search and set the following to false:

Preference	Purpose
datareporting.healthreport.uploadEnabled	Disables usage stats
toolkit.telemetry.enabled	Disables crash/feature telemetry
browser.ping-centre.telemetry	Disables marketing pings
security.ssl.errorReporting.enabled	Stops SSL error reporting
browser.newtabpage.activity-stream.feeds.telemetry	Disables New Tab telemetry

Step 4: Configure DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH)​

1. Go to Settings → General → Network Settings,
2. Toggle “Enable DNS over HTTPS”,
3. Choose “Cloudflare” (fastest) or “NextDNS” (customizable).

Benefits:

• Prevents ISP from seeing which sites you visit,
• Blocks ISP-level DNS hijacking.

Step 5: Install Essential Add-ons​

As of 2026, Firefox for Android supports select desktop extensions:

Must-Have Extensions:

1. uBlock Origin
   • Best ad/tracker blocker (lightweight, open-source),
   • Blocks fingerprinting scripts like FingerprintJS.
2. ClearURLs
   • Removes tracking parameters (e.g., ?utm_source=..., fbclid=...).
3. Decentraleyes
   • Blocks CDN-based tracking (e.g., Google Fonts, Cloudflare analytics).

Step 6: Set a Private Search Engine​

1. Go to Settings → Search,
2. Change default engine to:
   • DuckDuckGo (recommended),
   • Brave Search, or
   • Startpage (Google results, no tracking).

Step 7: Disable Autoplay & Background Activity​

1. Settings → Site Permissions → Autoplay → Block Audio and Video,
2. Settings → Performance → Enable “Close tabs after 1 day”,
3. On your Android:
   • Go to Settings → Apps → Firefox → Battery,
   • Select “Restricted” or “Optimized” to prevent background data.

Saves battery and reduces tracking surface.

PART 3: ANTI-FINGERPRINTING TUNING​

Reduce Canvas & WebGL Leaks​

While Android doesn’t expose full GPU details like desktop, you can still reduce uniqueness:

1. In about:config, set:
   • webgl.disabled = true (if you don’t need 3D graphics),
   • canvas.capturestream.enabled = false.

Spoof Timezone & Language (Advanced)​

Firefox on Android inherits system settings, but you can:

• Use “User-Agent Switcher” extension to appear as desktop,
• Or change your Android system language/timezone temporarily during sensitive sessions.

PART 4: USING PROXIES WITH FIREFOX ON ANDROID​

Can You Use Residential Proxies?​

• Yes, but only via HTTP/S proxy (not SOCKS5),
• Steps:
  1. Go to Settings → General → Network Settings,
  2. Scroll to “Manual proxy”,
  3. Enter:
     • HTTP Proxy: us-residential-123.iproyal.com,
     • Port: 12321,
     • Username: user-country-us,
     • Password: your_password.

Why You Might See “Android” on BrowserLeaks​

Even with perfect settings:

• Your TCP/IP stack is Android/Linux → TTL=64, Window=65535,
• BrowserLeaks will report “Android” — this is normal and unavoidable on mobile.

PART 5: COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID​

Mistake	Risk	Fix
Using modded APKs from Telegram	Malware, RATs	Only use Play Store
Skipping about:config hardening	Telemetry leaks	Disable all telemetry
Using rotating proxies	IP velocity = fraud flag	Use static residential only
Ignoring WebRTC leaks	Real IP exposed	Test on BrowserLeaks
Logging into personal accounts	Cross-contamination	Use separate profile or browser

FINAL OPERATIONAL CHECKLIST​

Stay sharp. Stay private. And remember:
The best OPSEC on mobile isn’t about hiding — it’s about blending in.

As on Android you can't enter About Config I use this link for those who don't know how to use chrome://geckoview/content/config.xhtml

 

[AntonD]

Thanks for your help I appreciate it very much even if many settings don't come out in About Config