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Customizing Default Search Engine in Firefox Desktop

· Updated: May 17, 2026 · Firefox, Browser Customization, Search Engine

Table of contents

Introduction

On Firefox for Android you can pick any default search engine you like, but the desktop version hides that option. It only lets you choose from a preset list such as DuckDuckGo, Google, and Bing. Here’s how to add your own on desktop :)

Modifying Firefox Configuration

These steps change Firefox’s internal configuration settings. It’s not hard, and the steps below walk through each part.

Step 1: Accessing the Configuration Page

  1. Open Firefox and type about:config in the address bar.
  2. You’ll see a warning message about the risks of changing advanced settings. Click on the Accept the Risk and Continue button to proceed.

about:config

Step 2: Enabling Additional Search Engines

  1. In the search bar at the top of the about:config page, enter browser.urlbar.update2.engineAliasRefresh.

  2. Locate the preference named browser.urlbar.update2.engineAliasRefresh and double-click on it to toggle its value from false to true.

    browser.urlbar.update2.engineAliasRefresh

Step 3: Adding Your Preferred Search Engine

  1. Now, head back to the Firefox search settings. You’ll notice a new option: Add. Click on this option.

    Add new search engine

  2. Enter the details of your preferred search engine:

    • Search Engine Name: SearXNG
    • Engine URL: https://search.ononoki.org/search?q=%s
    • Alias: @SearXNG

about:config

  1. Click Add Engine to save your custom search engine.

Step 4: Set Your Custom Search Engine as Default

  1. Return to the search settings and find your newly added search engine in the list.

  2. Click on the three-dot menu next to your custom search engine and select Set as Default.

Conclusion

I recall searching for information on how to customize the default search engine in Firefox desktop, but I struggled to find any useful resources on the topic. While there are methods that involve using extensions, I preferred not to install any additional extension for this purpose.

Eventually, I discovered a solution on Stack Overflow, and I compiled the information provided there, adding images to enhance clarity and make it easier to understand.