Finally updated MacOS to Catalina 10.15.7, but next Firefox update is still an esr update.
I just updated my iMac from Mojave to Catalina 10.15.7. I thought Firefox would provide an update to convert the esr version to the standard Firefox browser since I am no longer using Mojave, but the next update is 115.15.0esr. Is that correct? My understanding is that the esr updates are just for computers using older operating systems through Mojave. I did not update to 115.15.0esr since I am not sure if that is the right version for Catalina. Any information and assistance you can provide me is greatly appreciated. Thank you.
All Replies (8)
A Firefox version on one channel say ESR does not update to a version on another channel including Release.
macOS 10.12, 10.13, 10.14 could only use Firefox 115 ESR as the most current as Fx 116.0 and later requires macOS 10.15 or later.
Now that you are using macOS 10.15.7 you would get an update to 128.3.0esr in October once the old Fx 115.0 ESR is made EOL as the Fx 115.15.0esr just released is the last planned update.
If you would rather use Fx 128.2.0esr or Fx 130.0 Release now then see https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/all/desktop-release/osx/ https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/all/desktop-esr/osx/
Athraithe ag James ar
Thank you for your reply James. Apparently I do not understand how the esr updates work. I don’t currently have two different Firefox browsers on my computer, so I assumed the esr updates converted my standard Firefox browser to the esr version when I was on Mojave. After updating to Catalina I anticipated that an update from Firefox would take me back to their standard browser, but it doesn’t seem like that’s the case.
If I update to 128.3.0esr in October when it is released, what happens after that? Will the next update be for the normal FF 130 browser? My understanding is that the esr updates are not the same as the standard Firefox browser updates. Am I mistaken? Thank you.
If you install Fx 128 ESR then you will continue to use it and get updates for it as the next major Release version that ESR will be based will not be until the Firefox 140.0 Release.
ESR is short for Extended Support Release. It was originally made only for Enterprise users in mind as they like having longer term stability. The updates are only with allowed stability and security fixes (no new features) in order to have stability.
Normally a version on a ESR channel would not be what a regular Firefox user would end up getting however Mozilla has used them whenever support for a OS was dropped and a ESR version was a way for the OS user to still be secure with updates for a while longer. Mozilla did this with Windows XP/Vista users and Firefox 52.0 ESR (52.9.0esr) as they supported for over two years past when Chrome/Chromium drivers dropped WinXP/Vista. They also did it with macOS 10.9, 10.10, 10.11 users and Fx 78.0ESR. Now they are supporting the EOL macOS 10.12, 10.13, 10.14 and Windows 7, 8, 8.1 users with Fx 115 ESR since Chrome/Chromium browsers dropped back in Jan/Feb last year.
Earlier I said Fx 115.15.0esr users would get an update to Fx 128.3.0esr in October (if they are using Windows 10+ or macOS 10.15+). Not sure if that will happen now as it was revealed recently that Mozilla plans to continue to provide updates for the older Fx 115 ESR channel. It may be getting support till as late as Fx 115.21.0esr in March. This was to continue to support the Windows 7, 8, 8.1 and macOS 10.12, 10.13, 10.14 users longer. https://whattrainisitnow.com/release/?version=esr
So you may want to install either the Firefox 130.0 Release or the Firefox 128.2.0esr now. Its possible they may have a check in place in that if it detects you are using Firefox 115 ESR on macOS 10.15 or later you will be served 128.3.0esr instead of 115.16.0esr in October. Fx 116.0 and later requires Windows 10 or later and macOS 10.15 or later to run.
Athraithe ag James ar
Thank you for the additional information James. When my standard Firefox became an esr version in Mojave, I did not have to tweak or redo anything. If I download Firefox 130 will all my preferences, customizations in about:config, passwords, etc., migrate over? I hope so, otherwise I will need to document all the changes I made so I can apply them to Firefox 130. Knowing what to expect in advance would be very helpful. Thank you.
Note that you likely see distributionID: mozilla-mac-eol-esr115 present in "Help -> More Troubleshooting Information" (about:support), what will prevent updating beyond ESR 115. You will have to uninstall your current ESR 115 (drag to the trash) and install the current desktop release or the current ESR release (either ESR 115 or ESR 128), what will place you on the regular update channel (i.e. get an update offered from ESR 115 to ESR 128).
Thank you for the additional information cor-el. The distribution ID in the Help to More Troubleshooting Information is what you outlined above. I would like to get back to the regular Firefox browser. If I drag my 115 esr application to the trash and download Firefox 130, will I lose all the bookmarks, favorites, passwords, preferences, etc., that are currently in my 115esr version? If so, is there a way to avoid that or import all of my customizations so I do not have to manually redo everything?
Your settings likes your bookmarks, passwords and such are not in the Firefox program folder whether on Windows, Linux or macOS, but rather in a separate place. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/profiles-where-firefox-stores-user-data
Thank you for the additional information James. That’s the answer I was hoping for!
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