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Browser

Chrome, Edge, or Safari to Firefox

Privacy-first, independent browsing

Time Needed

10-15 min

Accessibility

Easy

What you'll need

Warmth, a handful of good ingredients, and nothing that doesn't belong – that's all it takes for something to turn out really well. A browser is no different: it should load pages, protect your data, and not stir in anything you didn't ask for. Chrome, Edge, and Safari blend in trackers, ad profiles, and corporate interests without asking. Firefox keeps the recipe clean: open source, non-profit, consistently on your side.

Switching takes ten minutes and all your bookmarks and passwords come with you.

Why make the switch:

  • Tracking protection from the start — Blocks thousands of trackers by default, no setup needed
  • Open source and transparent — The code is public and can be independently reviewed by anyone
  • Independent of Big Tech — Developed by Mozilla, not Google, Microsoft, or Apple
  • Huge extension ecosystem — uBlock Origin, Bitwarden, and thousands more tools built right into the browser

Steps

  1. Download and install Firefox

    Visit mozilla.org/firefox and click "Download Firefox".

    • Windows: Run the downloaded .exe file and follow the installer
    • macOS: Open the .dmg file and drag Firefox into your Applications folder
    • Linux: Use your package manager, e.g. sudo apt install firefox (Ubuntu/Debian)

  2. Import data from your old browser

    Firefox offers to import your data on first launch.

    • Choose your previous browser (Chrome, Edge, or Safari) from the list
    • Tick bookmarks, passwords, and history
    • Click "Import" – your data is available immediately
    • If the dialog doesn't appear: Settings → General → Import Data from Another Browser

  3. Set Firefox as your default browser

    So links from other apps open in Firefox automatically from now on.

    • Windows: Settings → Apps → Default Apps → Web Browser → select Firefox
    • macOS: System Settings → Desktop & Dock → Default web browser → Firefox
    • Linux: Settings → Default Applications → Web Browser → Firefox
    • Alternatively, Firefox will ask on first launch – just click "Yes"

  4. Review privacy settings

    Firefox is well configured out of the box – a quick look is still worthwhile.

    • Open Settings → Privacy & Security
    • Set Enhanced Tracking Protection to "Strict" for maximum blocking
    • Enable "HTTPS-Only Mode" at the bottom of the page
    • Optional: set third-party cookies to "Block all third-party cookies"

What you gain

Sync across devices: Create a free Mozilla account under Settings → Sync – bookmarks, passwords, and open tabs are then available on all your devices.

Phone and tablet apps: Firefox is also available for iOS and Android – with the same privacy features and the option to sync your data.

Multi-Account Containers: The official Mozilla extension keeps work, personal, and shopping sessions completely separate – no tab can see what's happening in another.

uBlock Origin: The most important Firefox extension. Search for it under Extensions → Find more add-ons, install it – and ads and trackers disappear immediately.

Go further

If you want to harden your privacy further:

  • Enable DNS over HTTPS under Settings → Privacy & Security → DNS over HTTPS → Maximum Protection
  • Use Multi-Account Containers to isolate social media sites from the rest of your browsing
  • Enable "Clear cookies and site data when Firefox is closed" in privacy settings