Nova is here: Firefox 157 starts with a new design & compact mode
Mozilla has begun rolling out Firefox 157 and is also starting to roll out the new design for its alternative web browser. The “Nova” design is now offered in the desktop and mobile versions.
‘Nova’ design provides a breath of fresh air
With Firefox 157, Mozilla is introducing the long-announced new design of its browser, which can now be used both on the PC in the desktop version and on mobile devices. It was already said before that they wanted to offer a “current, but not generic” and at the same time a “warm, but precise” design. With the new design, the developers have refreshed the colors, icons and themes in all areas of the browser, including the tabs, toolbars, the new tab page, the private browsing area and more. At the same time, the changes should not be expected to limit performance, it is said.
Compact mode returns
In response to many users’ requests, the Firefox team is also reintroducing “Compact Mode”, which allows more elements and content to be accommodated in the browser window. The tabs and toolbars are reduced in size, although an option for automatic display in compact mode is also available on smaller screens. The Firefox makers also offer a new theme picker that makes it easier for users to choose their preferred look. If necessary, the new tab page can also be customized with your own shortcuts for quick access. Mozilla says it wants to win back users with the new design. For many users, a change will be immediately noticeable.
The new sidebar is active for all users immediately after installation, which means that the tabs are generally displayed vertically on the side. If you can’t cope with this, you can change the entry “sidebar.revamp” to “false” on the “about:config” page and continue to use the old layout at least until the end of 2027. However, the redesign of the browser interface should not fundamentally change Firefox. They want to continue to offer the best possible open source browser and rely on the same principles that they followed from the beginning. Privacy shouldn’t suffer either, even if AI functions are now also offered, according to the team Blog entry.
