Firefox 138 Brings Smarter, Faster Address Bar with Real User Control

Mozilla has started rolling out Firefox 138, and one of the biggest changes is the new address bar. It’s faster, more intuitive, and built to support how you actually browse and search today. The update turns the address bar into a real productivity tool that keeps Firefox’s core promise of user choice and strong privacy.

Firefox 138 gets a new address bar

In Firefox version 138, the first thing you’ll notice is the new unified search button. Instead of digging through menus, your preferred search engines like Google, Amazon, DuckDuckGo, or Wikipedia are now just one click away. This makes switching between them quick and natural, depending on what you’re looking for.

Another improvement is how Firefox now handles search queries. Previously, once you searched for something, the address bar would be replaced with a long, unreadable URL.

With Firefox 138, your original search stays visible in the new address bar, so you can easily edit or rerun it without losing context. This small change makes a big difference when you’re multitasking or doing research.

Also read: Mozilla Firefox to Promote Perplexity Search Engine

Firefox has also introduced smart keyword searches. You can now type shortcuts like @bookmarks or @tabs to search directly within your browser data. It’s a much faster way to find what you need without leaving the address bar.

The update also adds quick commands. You can simply type phrases like “open downloads” or “take a screenshot,” and Firefox will instantly open them for you. You don’t have to navigate through settings or menus.

Also read: Firefox Lets Users Remove On-Device AI Models for Smart Tab Grouping, Link Previews & More

You’ll also benefit from context-aware suggestions and HTTPS trimming

That’s not all; Firefox 138 also brings context-aware suggestions. For example, if you already have a tab open for a page you’re typing, it’ll offer to switch you there instead of loading it again.

Lastly, Firefox 138 introduces HTTPS trimming. Secure sites now display a cleaner URL by hiding the “https://” prefix, while still warning you when a site isn’t secure. It keeps things simple without sacrificing clarity.

Also read: Firefox Finally Lets You Remove the Extensions Button from the Toolbar