Impressive that theyre finally adding a feature that ive already been using. Makes you wonder how they do that
this post was submitted on 10 Oct 2025
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A feature that has been present for 20 years, but never exposed in the interface. Truly magical.
Quite. It's how I've been watching YouTube ad-free for ages.
took em long enough.
Feels super strange to read this. They had profiles for what, decades now? It just required a simple command line flag.
I mean, this is better, but... Yeah.
I thought it had had that for twenty years?
Yeah I don't know why profiles itself are being mentioned as a new thing. What's new is the more convenient interface for them
you don't like about:profiles?
Show of Hands:
Who's heard of "about:profiles"?
🦗🦗🦗
Been using it for years.
Been using multi account containers [1] for a couple weeks, complete with per-tab-SSL vpns.
[1] https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/multi-account-containers/
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uhhh, this has been a thing for a long time already. I don't know whats new here. put about:profiles in your url bar for anyone uses a firefox based browser.
The UI was clearly not user friendly.
It is a great feature and is the main reason I like Floorp (Firefox fork). But the UX does not look good, I think the way Floorp does is better:
https://docs.floorp.app/docs/features/how-to-use-workspaces/
That does not looks like the same feature at all.
I find multi account containers to be the best workflow ergonomics when it comes to separating logins and sessions. I think having the same bookmarks, theme, etc. is actually nice. But I’m sure many really enjoy profile swapping.
profiles also allow different addons and addon configurations, default fonts, browser config, etc… it’s kinda like having a whole other user account or a whole other copy of the browser, rather than just cookie and storage isolation
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I already use profiles in Firefox but this looks a much better interface for managing them.
This should have been a feature 10 years ago
It was.
It wasn't. It was a hidden feature.
But it was a feature
Yes, and also no. Usually, I’d call something a feature if non tech savvy users can use it easily. If it’s hidden behind the command line, most users probably can’t use it. So, to me and colloquially, I wouldn’t call it a feature. Although I get the argument for it.
You can type in the search bar of the browser about:profiles to access it
Is a hidden feature still a feature?
I've been using this daily for many years. It's behind a CLI flag, is that hidden ?
So...... about:profiles is what then ‽‽
The screeshots shows functionality that the current profile/profile launch UI already has. Choose, create, ask on startup.
Right now it's hidden behind a startup parameter. But honestly, I would prefer a UI between the current one and the new one. That screenshot looks like it would reduce usability through big spacing and suboptimal alignment. At least judging by my preferences.
I guess adding a picture is nice. But does it have to be that huge and prominent?
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I think containers (that Firefox already has) are a much better way to handle this. Profiles, art least the way they are implemented on chrome, feels like a massive downgrade.
It depends on how much separation you need. If you want different bookmarks, history, or settings per, then I believe you need profiles to make that happen.
also different addons, and different configuration for addons etc
Ah, makes sense. I don't mind sharing history and have never used bookmarks or customized any settings.
You can use containers all you want, just don't create another profile and you're golden.
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Why would I use this when I have Firefox containers?
separate settings, separate addons, separate about prefs. also for when the PC is used by more than one person but there is only one user account
It's great having a separate profile for when you tell bbc iPlayer you have a tv licence.
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about:profiles always worked for me. And the profile manager. I don't need a 3rd ui for switching profiles.
The new one is a much better experience. It works like profiles in chrome now. The old one is still there for you to use if you prefer.
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Oh good, the current profile management is a little bit clunky. Having the option to launch random profiles wherever and whenever would be nice.
Uhm ... is this perhaps for the android browser then?
The desktop browser has had this for a long long time, though in recent builds a bit hidden. I still use various profiles, very handy.
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Ironically, in the article it's pictured running on Windows, which now has a built-in mechanic for automatically screen shotting everything you do and keeping records.
Yay.
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