This site will have limited functionality while we undergo maintenance to improve your experience. If an article doesn't solve your issue and you want to ask a question, we have our support community waiting to help you at @FirefoxSupport on Twitter and/r/firefox on Reddit.

Avatar for Username

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

This thread was archived. Please ask a new question if you need help.

Android 5.1 Firefox How to save on sdcard

  • 3 replies
  • 3 have this problem
  • 2 views
  • Last reply by guigs

sokiskatA
sokiskatA
more options

Hello, In the past, on a stock android 4.3 (before the sdcard policy) I had success with saving on my microSD with the browser.download.dir option. I am currently trying out a cyanogenmod version of android 5.1.1 with root access, but pointing the variable to an sdcard path and chosing the firefox download does nothing other than displaying a toast "download started". As soon as I change it to a custom folder in internal memory, everything works again. I suspect this is about write permissions? Firefox never asks me for superuser rights, nor have I seen any in its manifest. How would I grant access? Alternatively, is there a way to handle downloads with a third party app, eg the ES explorer download utility? Thank you for any assistance.

Hello, In the past, on a stock android 4.3 (before the sdcard policy) I had success with saving on my microSD with the browser.download.dir option. I am currently trying out a cyanogenmod version of android 5.1.1 with root access, but pointing the variable to an sdcard path and chosing the firefox download does nothing other than displaying a toast "download started". As soon as I change it to a custom folder in internal memory, everything works again. I suspect this is about write permissions? Firefox never asks me for superuser rights, nor have I seen any in its manifest. How would I grant access? Alternatively, is there a way to handle downloads with a third party app, eg the ES explorer download utility? Thank you for any assistance.

All Replies (3)

guigs
guigs
more options

Same, I just tested on an S6 with 5.1.1 and the about:config entry you have is no longer in Firefox. Have you tried to add it back? If not, it is most likely something that changed in Android.

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 10 Contributor
more options

I'm going to paste this for context and completeness. It assumes standard Android, but I think it's a necessary starting point for any version.

Changing the download location on Firefox for Android requires a visit to the about:config preferences editor. You have to change two different settings to make this work.

First, you need to know the folder path you want to use. An app like ES File Explorer File Manager will be helpful if you do not have a file manager.

(1) Open a new tab to about:config (type about:config in the Awesomebar and tap the go arrow or tap Enter).

You may want to bookmark this for easier future access.

(2) In the search box, type down and pause while Firefox filters the list

(3) Scroll down to browser.download.folderList and tap the preference. Up and down controls should appear. Tap up to change the value from 1 to 2.

(3) Scroll back up and tap the large "+" button to the left of the search box to add a new setting

(A) The name of the preference should be browser.download.dir (this stores the last used directory)

(B) On the right side, tap Boolean and in the popup change it to String

(C) The value depends on the folder you want. For example: 

/sdcard/FxDown

(D) Then click Create (if you are too slow, it may clear and you might have to start again)

If you switch back to your other tab and download something, it should go to the new folder.

Any luck?

guigs
guigs
more options

Also to add one more detail, the phone I tested on was rooted, however there may be a warranty that might be void if these instructions are followed: http://dottech.org/186301/how-to-root-galaxy-s6-edge-g925f-on-...