Firefox Focus can suggest a previously visited web address the moment you start typing. That is handy until a suggestion looks misspelled or unfamiliar and you are not sure whether to trust it.
Open the app menu, go to Settings, then Search, and turn off URL Autocomplete. Reopen the address bar and type part of a familiar address to confirm the suggestion no longer appears.
In this guide, I have covered:
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Why Firefox Focus Suggests Addresses While You Type
You start typing a web address in Firefox Focus, and the app fills in the rest. That shortcut helps you reach familiar sites quickly, but it can also make a mistyped or deceptive address look legitimate.
Turning off URL Autocomplete stops those automatic address suggestions. It does not make a suspicious site safe. Check the domain yourself before you open it.
Turn Off URL Autocomplete in Firefox Focus
If unwanted addresses keep appearing while you type, turn the setting off in Firefox Focus on Android. The control sits under the Search settings.
- Tap the
menu next to the address bar. - Tap Settings.
- Tap Search.
- Tap URL Autocomplete.
- Turn off the URL Autocomplete switch.
Open the address bar and type part of a previously visited web address. The matching URL should no longer appear as an automatic completion. You’ll know it worked when that saved address stops appearing in the suggestion list.
URL Autocomplete is an app-wide setting. Turning it off affects all address suggestions in Firefox Focus. The control does not offer separate settings for individual websites. Mozilla documents the path in its Firefox Focus address bar autocomplete guide.
Check for a Mistyped or Deceptive Address
A suggestion can still look convincing after you turn the setting off, especially if you tap it out of habit. If an unexpected address appears, make sure the URL Autocomplete switch is off under Settings → Search. Then clear the address bar and type the address again from a trusted source.
- Tap the address bar.
- Select the text in the address bar.
- Delete the selected text.
- Type the full web address that you trust.
Before you open the page, read the domain from right to left. Check the spelling and extension against the site you meant to visit. If you are unsure of the exact address, do not pick an autocomplete result.
ALERT: Do not open an unexpected suggestion just because it appears in the address bar. If the domain looks misspelled or unfamiliar, close the suggestion and go to the correct address from a trusted source.
Check the Setting on iPhone and iPad
You may also use Firefox Focus on an iPhone or iPad. The app uses the same URL Autocomplete control, but you open it from the iOS settings screen. Go to Settings, find URL Autocomplete under Search, and turn off its switch.
Confirm the change the same way. Return to the address bar, type part of a familiar web address, and check that Firefox Focus does not offer that address as an automatic completion. Mozilla has separate Firefox Focus for iOS autocomplete guidance if the screen looks different.
What to Do If the Setting Does Not Work
You turned the switch off, but an address still appears. Reopen the Settings screen and confirm that URL Autocomplete is still off. If the control is missing or in a different spot, search the settings for Search and look for URL Autocomplete under that section.
Restart Firefox Focus and test the address bar again. This closes the current app view and reopens it, which helps confirm whether the setting was applied.
If you still suspect the browser is behaving incorrectly, review Mozilla’s support guidance for reported URL autocomplete behavior. Include the Firefox Focus platform you use and the exact address that was suggested. Do not include passwords or other sensitive information.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I stop Firefox Focus from completing URLs automatically?
Open the app menu, go to Settings → Search, and turn off the URL Autocomplete switch. Then reopen the address bar and test it with part of a familiar web address.
Does turning off URL Autocomplete delete my Firefox Focus history?
No. The setting controls automatic address suggestions in the address bar. It does not remove previously visited pages or clear other browsing data.
If you also want to control cookies in Firefox on Android, review the cookie settings for Firefox on Android. That is a separate privacy control from URL Autocomplete.
Can I disable autocomplete for only one suspicious website?
No separate control for individual sites is provided by the URL Autocomplete setting. Turn it off for all URL suggestions in Firefox Focus, then type addresses you have checked yourself.
Why does Firefox Focus still suggest a web address after I turn the setting off?
Confirm that the switch under Settings → Search is off, close and reopen Firefox Focus, then test again. If the suggestion continues, ask Mozilla for help and include your platform and the exact suggestion.
