Firefox Nightly Drops Bottom Navigation Bar, Sparks User Backlash

Firefox users testing the experimental Nightly builds on Android have noticed the sudden removal of the bottom navigation bar—a change that’s left many puzzled and disappointed. The once-hidden feature, available only in Firefox Nightly’s “Secret Settings,” allowed users to access back, forward, new tab, and tab switcher controls at the bottom of the screen while keeping the address bar at the top. Although it wasn’t a mainstream setting, those who used it found it made one-handed browsing far more convenient on larger screens.

Now, with the feature missing, users are turning to community forums and Reddit to express their concerns. Some users specifically chose Firefox Nightly for this layout, describing it as a game-changer for mobile browsing. For them, the ability to keep navigation elements within easy reach was one of the biggest advantages over other browsers.

One user shared their disappointment, hoping the layout wasn’t gone for good. Another asked whether the feature had been removed entirely, noting that the setting simply vanished without warning. The sentiment is clear—many users had grown attached to the split interface and now feel left in the dark.

Further investigation into the issue reveals that the removal is likely intentional. A report on Mozilla’s Bugzilla platform confirmed that the “Enable Navigation Toolbar” toggle had been taken out of the Secret Settings. In response, Mozilla developer Chris Peterson noted that the project for the toolbar redesign had been paused and would be replaced by a different toolbar design. The bug was officially marked as “RESOLVED WONTFIX,” implying that this specific version of the toolbar isn’t coming back.

This removal has also impacted other experimental features. For instance, the “Enable Menu Redesign” option was closely tied to the navigation toolbar. Without the toolbar, users are finding that the redesigned menu feels incomplete, as it relied on elements that were part of the now-missing navigation bar.

Although the bottom navigation toolbar has been shelved, there’s still a glimmer of hope. Peterson’s comment hints at a potential replacement with a new toolbar design, suggesting that Mozilla is still exploring ways to enhance mobile usability and accessibility.

For now, however, users who appreciated the old interface must either adjust to the standard layout or attempt to revert to an older version of Nightly—an imperfect solution that may not be sustainable as Firefox continues to evolve.

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