Can you use Firefox on the Pi400?

[Alamode]

Hi Pi guys!

I got the Raspberry Pi 400 to have an inexpensive desktop computer for websites, email and YouTubes, that got away from the digital overlords like Microsoft and Google.

I'm shocked that the browser is Chromium on top of the Linux RaspPiOS. I use Firefox for privacy; can I get rid of the Chromium and use Firefox?

Thanks, have a slice of Pi with ice cream and enjoy the ride!
Alamode

[rpdom]

The Firefox with Bullseye doesn't have hardware video acceleration on the Pi. Otherwise it should work fine. Install firefox-esr.

The chromium-browser used has had extensive work to support the hardware acceleration on the Pi and has also had the main Google related bits stripped out.

[Alamode]

Thanks so much rpcom; that is great to hear that they stripped Google's intrusive bits out. It prompted me to read up on Chromium and three hours later reading from link to link in Wikipedia, I understand at a deeper level where it comes from and how the relationships and technology work.

I feel much more comfortable now, thank you very much, and I'm going to start up with the pre-loaded RPiOS and Chromium and when I know what I'm doing I'll try downloading the Firefox version you mentioned.

Thank you again,
Alamode

[kerry_s]

for installing firefox, just do in terminal:

Code: Select all

sudo apt install firefox-esr

like said firefox is a lot slower then chromium as chromium has been optimized for the rpi devices.
also only chromium has drm support for like movies on youtube, prime videos, netflix, ....

still firefox has sync if you use it on other devices, chromium does not.

i recently just been chromium on raspberry, chrome on my laptop and firefox on my phone.
mixing it up.

[kerry_s]

don't forget to go into about:config and enable egl and layers.acceleration.
to get decent cpu use.

[kip_the_elder]

I use both Firefox and Chromium on Pi400s.

I find that Chromium tends to be better for video sites...But there are some stes that I find just don't work properly in Chromium.