
So that’s how you update Firefox on the Mac, easy huh? Another option is available too however, and that’s simply downloading the latest version of Firefox directly from Mozilla. Updating Firefox may be different than updating Safari, which is handled as a system update, but the update process is likely familiar to those who use Chrome which is also updated automatically (unless you disabled that capability) but can be manually updated through the Chrome menu too.
Going forward, you’ll want to make sure you keep Firefox up to date to avoid any further problems or potential security issues too. If you’re updating to avoid the security flaw identified by DHS, you’ll want to be sure you’re on Firefox 72.0.1 or later. Updating Firefox is generally pretty quick and you should be back to browsing with Firefox in short order.
Firefox will quit and relaunch automatically to complete installation of an update. Click the “Update Now” button if it’s available, if you see “Firefox is up to date” then you’re already on the latest version. From the opened Firefox browser, pull down the ‘Firefox’ menu and choose “About Firefox”. Unlike updating apps from the Mac App Store or updating macOS system software in System Preferences, updating Firefox is done directly within the Firefox application itself. This article will show you how to manually update Firefox on MacOS, an easy process to initiate if you’re unfamiliar. Keeping web browsers up to date with the latest version is almost always recommended for security purposes, and right now that’s particularly important with Firefox because the US Department of Homeland Security has acknowledged a Firefox security exploit that could cause the takeover of a targeted computer and is thereby urging Firefox users to update to 72.0.1 (or later) right away.