Download Xpi File For Firefox Apr 2026

While the phrase “download xpi file for firefox” evokes a technical, power-user workflow, it is a perfectly legitimate and sometimes necessary action. Whether for archiving, development, or offline installation, knowing how to manually save and install an XPI remains a valuable skill for anyone who wishes to take full control of their Firefox browsing experience—provided they exercise due caution.

Downloading raw XPIs bypasses Firefox’s built-in security checks (malware scanning, signature validation). Only obtain XPIs from trusted sources—preferably AMO or the developer’s official GitHub repository. Never install an XPI from a random pop-up or unsolicited link. download xpi file for firefox

In the ecosystem of Mozilla Firefox, the (pronounced “zippy”) file is the standard packaging format for extensions, themes, and plug-ins. Its name derives from “XPInstall,” a legacy installation technology. For most users, the act of downloading an XPI file is invisible: they visit Firefox’s official Add-ons website (addons.mozilla.org, or AMO) and click “Add to Firefox.” Behind that button, the browser automatically retrieves and installs the XPI. While the phrase “download xpi file for firefox”

Once you have the XPI file on your computer, open Firefox, press Ctrl+O (or Cmd+O on macOS), and select the file. Firefox will prompt you to confirm installation. , recent versions of Firefox require you to enable a hidden preference: navigate to about:config and set xpinstall.signatures.required to false . Without this, Firefox will block unsigned or unverified extensions. Only obtain XPIs from trusted sources—preferably AMO or

The most reliable method is to obtain it directly from AMO without automatic installation. On any Firefox add-on page (e.g., for uBlock Origin), look for a “Download file” link or right-click the “Add to Firefox” button and select “Save Link As…”—this will save the .xpi file to your local drive. Alternatively, you can use the “Version History” section on AMO to download older XPI files directly.

For add-ons hosted elsewhere, simply downloading an XPI from a third-party site carries significant security risks, as XPI files have full access to browser APIs.