Get Ready for a Fresh Look: Firefox Redesign Coming in Version 157

Mozilla is set to roll out its ‘Nova’ redesign of Firefox in version 157, scheduled for release at the end of September. The development of Nova began in March, with initial designs featuring rounded UI elements, floating toolbars, and pastel gradients.

As the release date approaches, designers have refined these concepts, toning down some aspects. For instance, earlier versions displayed more pronounced roundness and spacing between toolbars and content, which have since been minimized. Despite these changes, some users feel that the update might not be sufficiently distinct, with one commenter likening the new look to a “rounder Proton” redesign from previous iterations.

The Nova redesign aims to align Firefox’s aesthetic with modern design trends, similar to Google’s Material You and Apple’s Liquid Glass style. Alongside Nova, Mozilla has introduced other UI enhancements, including recent settings updates and the integration of the new Firefox mascot, Kit, into various elements of the browser.

While redesigns such as Nova might be seen as necessary after extended periods without updates—previous major revisions include ‘Australis’ in 2014, ‘Photon’ in 2017, and ‘Proton’ in 2021—there are mixed opinions among users regarding the need for this specific overhaul.

For those eager to try out the Nova redesign before its official release, it can be enabled using a hidden flag in the current stable version of Firefox. Users can navigate to about:config, search for browser.nova.enabled, and set it to true. However, early testers should be aware that the version they access may differ from the final release.

As anticipation grows, we will have to wait for the complete rollout on September 29 to gauge the community’s reaction to the new design.