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Mozilla has released Firefox 157, bringing the browser its biggest visual refresh in years along with new customization options and important security fixes.

Firefox users are getting a dramatically refreshed browser experience with the arrival of Firefox 157. Released September 29, 2026, the update introduces Mozilla’s new Nova design, a modernized interface that changes the look and feel of Firefox across desktop and mobile.

Mozilla says the redesign is intended to make Firefox feel more modern and flexible while preserving the browser’s focus on privacy, customization and user control.

Firefox Gets a Major New Look

Firefox 157 represents one of the most significant interface changes to the browser since Mozilla introduced its Proton design in 2021.

The new design updates many of the visual elements users interact with every day, including:

• Browser tabs
• Toolbars
• Icons
• Menus
• Themes
• The New Tab page
• Private Browsing
• Colors and spacing

Mozilla describes the redesign as a renewal rather than a complete replacement of Firefox’s identity.

The new interface features softer tab shapes, more rounded components, updated icons and a refreshed color palette. Mozilla says the changes were designed to create a more cohesive experience without affecting browser performance.

Compact Mode Makes a Comeback

One of the most notable additions in Firefox 157 is the return of Compact Mode.

Compact Mode reduces the size of tabs and browser controls, giving websites more room on the screen. Mozilla says an auto-compact option can also be used on smaller displays.

The return of Compact Mode is particularly significant because Mozilla had previously removed the option, but user feedback led the company to bring it back.

For people who spend hours working in a browser, the extra screen space could make a noticeable difference.

New Themes and Wallpapers

Firefox 157 also gives users more ways to personalize the browser.

Mozilla has introduced a new theme picker that makes it easier to browse and select different visual styles. Users can choose from new themes and wallpapers to customize their Firefox experience.

The redesign also changes how existing Firefox themes interact with parts of the browser interface. Mozilla says most themes should continue to work, although themes that rely heavily on background images or particular color combinations may look somewhat different under Nova.

For users who prefer the previous Proton appearance, Mozilla is also making a Firefox Proton theme available through the Add-ons Manager.

The New Firefox Design Extends to Mobile

Although the redesign is most noticeable on desktop, Mozilla says its updated design language extends across Firefox on mobile as well.

The company has refreshed colors, icons and other design elements to create a more consistent experience across different devices.

That means Firefox users who move between a desktop computer and smartphone should see a more unified visual experience.

More Control Over the New Tab Page

Firefox 157 also expands customization of the New Tab experience.

Users can choose what appears on their homepage and can now pin shortcuts to keep frequently visited websites readily available.

The changes are part of Mozilla’s broader effort to give users more control over how Firefox looks and behaves.

Security Improvements Are Included

The visual redesign may be the most obvious part of Firefox 157, but the update also includes important security fixes.

Mozilla’s September 29 security advisory lists multiple vulnerabilities fixed in Firefox 157, including issues involving audio/video playback, widgets, DOM navigation, storage, process sandboxing and WebGPU.

Several of the vulnerabilities are classified as high impact, including sandbox-escape and privilege-escalation vulnerabilities.

That makes updating to Firefox 157 important even for users who aren’t particularly interested in the new design.

Firefox Continues Its Faster Release Schedule

Firefox 157 also arrives during a significant change to Mozilla’s release strategy.

Beginning with Firefox 155, Mozilla moved Firefox from a roughly four-week release cycle to a two-week release cycle. The goal is to get completed features, fixes and improvements to users sooner while making releases more predictable.

Firefox 157 is therefore one of the first major releases under this new schedule.

The faster cadence doesn’t necessarily mean every release will contain a large collection of new features. Instead, Mozilla says it provides more flexibility for shipping improvements when they’re ready.

What About AI?

Mozilla’s broader Firefox strategy also continues to include optional AI capabilities.

Firefox has been adding different levels of AI integration while emphasizing user choice. Mozilla says users can control whether and how they interact with AI features, including the ability to disable new and existing AI functionality through Firefox settings.

Firefox 157 also adds an enterprise policy option related to on-device speech recognition, allowing administrators to make the feature available, block it or prevent users from changing the setting.

This reflects Mozilla’s larger effort to incorporate AI into Firefox without making AI features unavoidable for users.

Firefox 157 Is More Than a Cosmetic Update

The Firefox 157 release represents an important moment for Mozilla.

The Nova redesign gives Firefox a substantially different appearance, while Compact Mode, new themes, wallpapers and New Tab customization give users more control over the experience.

At the same time, security fixes and ongoing improvements to Firefox’s underlying platform remain important parts of the update.

For longtime Firefox users, the biggest question may simply be whether the new interface feels better than the previous design.

For people who haven’t used Firefox recently, however, Firefox 157 provides a good opportunity to take another look.

How to Get Firefox 157

Firefox 157 is rolling out beginning September 29, 2026.

If Firefox doesn’t update automatically, users can check for updates through the browser’s Help > About Firefox menu. The browser can download and install the latest version from there.

Because Firefox 157 includes multiple security fixes, users should consider updating rather than continuing to run an older version.

The Bottom Line

Firefox 157 is one of Mozilla’s biggest browser updates in years.

The new Nova interface modernizes Firefox without abandoning the browser’s emphasis on customization and privacy. Compact Mode returns, themes and wallpapers are easier to explore, and the New Tab page offers additional personalization.

Combined with security fixes and Mozilla’s new two-week release schedule, Firefox 157 marks a new phase for the open-source browser.

Whether you are a longtime Firefox user or someone who moved to another browser years ago, Firefox 157 may be worth another look.