Firefox 157 hits iOS ahead of major desktop launch, but there’s little to see

Firefox 157 is now available on the App Store for iPhone and iPad. If you were expecting a new look or some cool features, you might be disappointed.

We installed the latest build right away and compared Firefox 157 to version 156. After checking all the menus, settings, and tabs, we didn’t notice any differences. Firefox 157 is still fast, but its interface and features remain the same.

Mozilla’s release notes on the App Store also keep things simple, with no big changes promised. The update only brings “behind-the-scenes updates to keep your browsing steady, smooth, and responsive.” That’s all Firefox 157 offers for mobile users, at least on iOS.

The desktop version of Firefox is getting a more exciting update, which should arrive within the next 24 hours. This is a big deal since recent desktop versions haven’t had many changes.

If you’ve been following our coverage, you’d know that Firefox 157 for desktop is set to bring the long-awaited, but still controversial, Nova UI as the default. This redesign updates Firefox’s look, organizes controls better, and makes the browser easier to use, at least in theory. Some fans, however, disagree with Mozilla’s decision to go with a new look.

Along with the new interface, Firefox 157 for desktop should support JPEG XL by default. This important feature lets web pages show high-quality JPEG XL images while using less bandwidth.

Several bugs were fixed in the nightly builds, including issues with HDR content and audio skipping when changing playback speed. The latest Nightly beta also fixed an issue with the Windows taskbar affecting full-screen video playback.

That said, while Firefox 157 doesn’t bring any major design changes, you still have the new ad blocker to play around with, added a few weeks ago. Android users also recently got access to the built-in VPN on Firefox.

If you use Firefox on your phone or tablet, it’s a good idea to update to version 157 for the latest bug fixes and stability improvements. Keep an eye out for version 157 on your computer later today, since that’s where the bigger changes are.

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