Mozilla Launches Firefox 160 Beta With New Features
The latest browser update introduces expanded media controls, accessibility tools, and improved performance features.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Computers
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Mozilla has officially released Firefox 160 to the public beta channel. The update introduces a variety of enhancements for desktop and mobile users, including expanded media playback options and improved browser navigation.
Why it matters
The release focuses on improving web compatibility and site accessibility, notably through the implementation of legacy support and new permission requests for local network access.
Firefox 160 supports Picture-in-Picture playback speeds from 0.25x to 2.0x and provides Web Speech API support for 40 different languages. The update also adds Metal graphics API support for WebGL content on macOS.
The players
Mozilla
Mozilla is a non-profit organization dedicated to keeping the internet open, accessible, and inclusive for all users.
Android
Android is a mobile operating system developed by Google that powers billions of smartphones and tablets worldwide.
macOS
macOS is the proprietary operating system developed by Apple for its line of Mac desktop and laptop computers.
The details
New features include the ability to drag history entries from the sidebar, support for MKV files with various audio codecs, and accessible MathML content for saved PDFs. Users can now utilize a Mini Window feature for pinned tabs and manage email link pop-ups more effectively.
Timeline
Firefox 160 entered public beta on October 26, 2026.
The official release of Firefox 160 is scheduled for November 10, 2026.
The Tech Race
The adoption of the Metal graphics API in Firefox 160 marks a shift in how the browser handles hardware-accelerated web content on Apple platforms. This integration reflects a broader industry trend of browsers leaning on platform-specific hardware acceleration to compete with native applications.
Users will gain more control over video playback and email link management while benefiting from improved address bar contrast. Android users will also notice stricter privacy protections regarding local network device connections.
The takeaway
This beta update provides users with significant new tools for managing their browser workspace and media consumption habits. Readers should review the new permission settings for local network access to ensure their preferences are correctly configured.
What happens next
Mozilla is scheduled to release Firefox 160, Firefox 153.7, and Firefox 115.45.0 ESR on November 10, 2026.
Further reading
Find more updates on Computers at our dedicated section.
More information
To test the latest features, visit the Download Firefox Beta portal.
Live Poll
Do you prefer testing early-access software versions for new features despite potential stability risks?
