Mozilla is rolling out a redesigned Firefox interface with Firefox 157, giving the browser a more consistent look across desktop and mobile while restoring Compact Mode as a supported setting.
Firefox 157 also includes security fixes unrelated to the visual redesign. Mozilla’s security advisory lists several high-impact vulnerabilities fixed in the release, including use-after-free flaws and sandbox escape issues.
The redesign began appearing in Firefox Nightly builds months ago, but September 29 marks its rollout to the main Firefox release. Mozilla says the update refreshes the browser’s colors, icons, tabs, toolbars, New Tab page and Private Browsing interface without reducing browser performance.
For existing Firefox users, the most practical change may be the return of Compact Mode. The setting reduces the height of tabs and browser controls, leaving more vertical space for webpages. Firefox had previously removed Compact Mode from its normal customization interface, leaving an unsupported workaround accessible through Firefox’s configuration.
Starting with Firefox 157, Mozilla’s support documentation says users can enable Compact Mode directly from Firefox Settings under Appearance and select Compact for the browser’s window density. Mozilla has also introduced an automatic compact option intended for smaller displays.
More Control Over Themes and the New Tab Page
Firefox 157 also introduces a redesigned theme picker with additional themes and wallpapers, along with more control over the New Tab page. Users can pin shortcuts so frequently used sites remain readily accessible.
The broader interface overhaul is known internally as Project Nova, its biggest refresh of the browser interface since the Proton redesign introduced in 2021. Most existing themes should continue to work with a different look, but themes built around background images will more likely need adjustments.
The redesign does not replace Firefox’s existing privacy and customization controls. Mozilla says users will continue to have control over elements such as browser density, homepage content and optional AI features, including which AI features appear in the browser.
Updating to the latest version provides both the redesigned interface and the security fixes included with Firefox 157.
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