Mozilla devs are bringing more customisation options to the new tab page in Firefox.
A number of modern web browsers, including Google Chrome, allow users to set a custom image as the backdrop for the new tab page:
As the new tab page is (by default) set to show when a browser is launched and every time a new tab is opened it’s a highly visible (if often fleeting) part of users’ browser experience, making customisation a popular request.
But while Mozilla Firefox offers an array of advanced features and settings that put it on a par with rival browsers the simple ability to change the new tab background isn’t one of them.
Although that appears to be changing.
In the latest Firefox 126 beta builds the browser has a hidden (and currently disabled) setting for new tab wallpapers.
When this setting is enabled users are able apply one of six images as their new tab background, direct from the settings panel accessible on the new tab page:
Mozilla, for now, is “curating” the choice of background images. This may be to ensure that background images don’t affect the readability/legibility of the “shortcuts”, “recommended stories” and “recent activity” new tab page elements.
What’s interesting is that the choice if images change depending on whether light mode or dark mode is active on the host OS, with the latter offering a different set of images, albeit thematically similar to the ones in light mode:
If you use the Firefox beta channel you can try this feature out (in v126) like so:
- Go to
about:configin a new tab - Find
browser.newtabpage.activity-stream.newtabWallpapers.enabled - Double-click the switch to set it to true
Now when you open the new tab page you can click the settings cog to access the wallpaper options. Click on an image to apply it as your new tab background. To undo, click the ‘reset to default’ link beneath the wallpaper picker.
When will this land?
It’s not clear if this feature will be be enabled in the stable Firefox 126 release, due in the middle of May or, if not, whether the above setting will remain accessible for those who want to turn it on to do so — but such is the nature of development.
Keep in mind that this feature is not yet enabled by default in the beta. Clearly Mozilla doesn’t consider it ready for wider testing. Switching between light mode and dark mode in Ubuntu resets Firefox the new tab page wallpaper – a kink to be worked out?
Most people see their browser’s “new tab” page more than their computer’s desktop so providing a means to see their preferred image(s) would be welcome buff.
It’d be great to see this expanded in a future release, ideally to support custom background images. Google Chrome offers both a curated selection of artwork plus the ability for users to set their own background image.
Still, this is something to look out for.