Fenix: [Bug] Option to open external links with private Firefox missing in the new version

[Ivan171]

Steps to reproduce

Update to Firefox Preview 3.0 (from 2.3)
Try to open an external link in some app (i.e Boost for Reddit)

Expected behavior

There should be two Firefox options in the Open with dialog: Firefox Preview and Private Firefox Preview

Actual behavior

There is only one option: Firefox Preview

Device information

• Android device: Redmi Go with Oreo 8.1
• Fenix version: 3.0

That was one of the features i liked the most, and the only one keeping me using Fenix while it doesn't have extensions support.

I don't know if this is a regression or the feature was removed intentionally. If it was intentional, can it be reimplemented? It is very useful, and Fenix is the only browser i know that has it.

[NotWoods]

I think this is a regression. For now the quick fix is to set Fenix as your default, then go to "Settings" > "Set as default browser" > "Open links in a private tab".

[boek]

Unfortunately this feature broke support for setting Fenix as a default browser in Android 5.0 😢 (see: https://github.com/mozilla-mobile/fenix/issues/5972).

With no way of disabling the feature for 5.0 we decided to pull the feature until we can come up with a solution. In the meantime you can set the pref like NotWoods mentioned :)

[opusforlife2]

I don't know if I want to open a new issue just to ask this: Why has "Open links in a private tab" been made conditional upon setting Fenix as default browser? Is there a technical reason for it? Users who don't want to make it the default browser should still be able to take advantage of this feature.

[Lumute]

I agree, this was one of the best features of Firefox Preview and really miss it...

[sblatz]

You can enable this under Settings > Private browsing > Open links in a private tab

Closing this for now, but if this does not cover your use case, please re-open!

[Lumute]

@sblatz no that does not cover the use case, that setting will open every single link in private mode. With version 2.3 by having separate options we were able to normally open links in full mode and open a link in private mode when necessary... Right now the only way to do that is to copy the link, open a private tab and paste on the address bar which is a PITA!

I literally check for this with every single update I get and always get disappointed, please re-open.

[Ivan171]

I agree with @Lumute here.

You can enable this under Settings > Private browsing > Open links in a private tab

This option doesn't replace what we had in the 2.3 version. Before, we could choose which link to open in a private tab. Now, every link opens in a private tab, which is not always desirable - although it is better than nothing.

EDIT: I can't re-open this myself, can you please re-open it for me @sblatz?

[softvision-miralobontiu]

I will re-open this issue.
I was able to reproduce this both with Nightly from 6/11 and with Beta 5.2.0-beta.1, using Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 (Android 9).

[jingofett]

Would love for this feature to come back!

Would it be possible to do a check for the android system version?