TLDRs
- Firefox adds AI webpage summaries on iPhones, using Apple’s on-device model for newer devices and cloud AI for older ones.
- Summaries can be triggered by shaking the phone, tapping a thunderbolt icon, or selecting “Summarize page.”
- The feature launches first in the U.S. in English, with Android and broader global rollout planned in the future.
- Mozilla balances privacy and accessibility with both on-device and cloud-based AI, keeping user control a top priority.
Mozilla has announced the rollout of a new AI-powered webpage summarization feature for iPhone users, making Firefox one of the first major third-party browsers to integrate with Apple’s artificial intelligence framework.
The tool is set to debut this week for U.S. users, with plans to expand globally and onto Android devices in the coming months.
How the Feature Works
The summarization tool is designed to help users quickly digest online content without scrolling endlessly through lengthy pages.
For those using the iPhone 15 Pro or newer devices running iOS 26, summaries will be generated through Apple’s on-device AI model. Owners of older iPhones, however, will rely on Mozilla’s secure cloud-based AI system.
Users can trigger the summaries in several ways, including shaking their iPhone, tapping the thunderbolt icon in the address bar, or selecting “Summarize page” from the menu. Importantly, Mozilla clarified that the feature can be turned off entirely and will only work on webpages under 5,000 words.
Browsers Evolve Into AI Assistants
The launch comes as major web browsers, from Google Chrome to Microsoft Edge and Opera, increasingly embrace AI to enhance security, productivity, and user experience.
What was once a straightforward navigation tool is quickly evolving into an intelligent assistant designed to streamline online interactions.
Firefox’s move to integrate with Apple Intelligence is particularly strategic. As one of the earliest non-Apple apps to adopt the system, Mozilla positions itself ahead of rivals in differentiating its product at a time when browser competition is heating up.
Balancing Privacy and Accessibility
One of the most notable aspects of Firefox’s new feature is its dual processing approach. By running summaries locally on newer iPhones, users gain enhanced privacy, since sensitive data never leaves their device. Meanwhile, the cloud-based option ensures accessibility for those with older devices, albeit with the trade-off of sending browsing data to Mozilla’s servers.
This balance reflects a broader privacy paradox in AI development, users want seamless, powerful features but also demand reassurance that their data remains safe.
Apple’s emphasis on on-device processing underscores its commitment to privacy, while Mozilla has allowed users to disable the function entirely, giving them control over how much data is shared.
Mozilla’s AI Footprint Beyond Browsers
The summarization tool is only one part of Mozilla’s growing involvement in AI. Through its Common Voice initiative, launched in 2017, the organization has built one of the world’s largest open-source voice recognition datasets.
To date, the project has collected more than 30,000 hours of audio across 180 languages. By releasing these datasets under Creative Commons licensing, Mozilla aims to democratize AI research and ensure global communities benefit from speech technology.
Looking Ahead
While the current rollout is limited to U.S. iPhone users and English-language webpages, Mozilla has confirmed that broader availability and Android compatibility are in the works.
This expansion will likely place Firefox at the center of the AI-enhanced browser race, competing directly with Google and Microsoft, who are also embedding similar AI-driven experiences.
