Instructions for sideloading on Firefox for Android

src/content/documentation/develop/firefox-workflow-overview.md

@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ date: 2020-03-24 12:47:00
     </tbody>
 </table>
 
-<p id="distribute-extension">* Or distribute your extension for <a href="/documentation/publish/distribute-sideloading/">sideloading</a>, <a href="/documentation/publish/distribute-for-desktop-apps/">desktop apps</a>, or <a href="/documentation/enterprise/enterprise-distribution/">in an enterprise</a>.</p>
+<p id="distribute-extension">* Or distribute your extension for <a href="/documentation/publish/install-self-distributed/">manual installation</a>, <a href="/documentation/publish/distribute-for-desktop-apps/">desktop apps</a>, or <a href="/documentation/enterprise/enterprise-distribution/">use in an enterprise</a>.</p>
 
 **Have an extension you want to bring to Firefox?** We provide advice, guidelines, and tools to help making make porting straightforward. To get started, visit [Porting a Google Chrome extension](/documentation/develop/porting-a-google-chrome-extension/).
 

src/content/documentation/develop/user-experience-best-practices.md

@@ -250,7 +250,7 @@ Testing tips:
   - If you have a published extension, you can use the Development channel to offer an alpha or beta version for testing. You will need to direct your testers to the Development Channel of your extension’s listing or let your testers know the link to use to install your extension.
     ![The development channel section of an extension's listing page, offering access to alpha and beta versions for testing.](/assets/img/documentation/develop/extensions-development-channel.png)
     When you are happy with your update, you can publish it as the new release version of your extension.
-- If you want to distribute your extension to users outside AMO, you can find the instructions for doing so, and the installation instructions you need to provide users, in the article on [Sideloading add-ons](/documentation/publish/distribute-sideloading/). Remember that, unlike distribution through AMO, you will need to send users any updated versions of your extension as you make improvements.
+- If you want to distribute your extension to users outside AMO, you can find the instructions for doing so, and the installation instructions you need to provide users, in the article on [the manual installation of add-ons](/documentation/publish/install-self-distributed/). Remember that, if you're testing updates to an extension distributed through AMO, you need to send users updated versions of your extension as you make improvements.
 - Use the [Responsive Design Mode](https://developer.mozilla.org/docs/Tools/Responsive_Design_Mode) to test your extension for its behavior on other screen sizes and device types.
 
 **Creating a great extension is an iterative process. While we’ve laid out the six steps here, you’ll likely revisit these as you learn what works and what doesn’t through user feedback, testing, and time.**

src/content/documentation/publish/distribute-for-desktop-apps.md

@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ Of these options, directing the user to install from AMO is recommended. It avoi
 
 If you would like to direct users to install the add-on from your website, please read this article on [self-distribution](/documentation/publish/submitting-an-add-on/#self-distribution) to learn how to prepare the `.xpi` file for web installs.
 
-Enterprise administrators and people who distribute their own builds of Firefox (such as some Linux and Selenium distributions) will be able to continue to deploy extensions to users. Enterprise administrators can do this via [policies](https://github.com/mozilla/policy-templates#extensionsettings). Additionally, Firefox Extended Support Release (ESR) will continue to support sideloading as an extension installation method.
+Enterprise administrators and people who distribute their builds of Firefox (such as some Linux and Selenium distributions) can continue to deploy extensions to users. Enterprise administrators can do this using  [policies](https://github.com/mozilla/policy-templates#extensionsettings). Additionally, Firefox Extended Support Release (ESR) continues to support sideloading as an extension installation method.
 
 {% endcapture %}
 {% include modules/one-column.liquid,

src/content/documentation/publish/install-self-distributed.md

@@ -0,0 +1,127 @@
+---
+layout: sidebar
+title: Installing self-distributed extensions
+permalink: /documentation/publish/install-self-distributed/
+topic: Publish
+tags: [add-on, distribution, testing, guide, installation]
+contributors: [caitmuenster, irenesmith, jwilk, hellosct1, gray_-_wolf, luanmm, rebloor]
+last_updated_by: rebloor
+date: 2025-03-31
+---
+
+<!-- Page Hero Banner -->
+
+{% capture page_hero_banner_content %}
+
+# Installing self-distributed extensions
+
+You can make a self-distributed extension available as a [web download](/documentation/publish/self-distribution/#options) that is installed automatically into desktop Firefox. To install self-distributed extensions downloaded in Firefox for Android or distributed in another way, you need to provide instructions for installing the extension from file.
+
+::: note
+If you use self-distribution for a beta version of a listed extension, Firefox doesn’t automatically update the beta version when you sign a new beta version on AMO. For more information on delivering beta updates, see [Distribute pre-release versions](/documentation/publish/distribute-pre-release-versions/).
+:::
+
+Automatic compatibility checks are performed for extensions installed from a file.
+
+{% endcapture %}
+{% include modules/page-hero.liquid,
+	content: page_hero_banner_content
+%}
+
+<!-- END: Page Hero Banner -->
+
+<!-- Content with Table of Contents Module -->
+
+{% capture content_with_toc %}
+
+## Preparing your add-on
+
+To prepare your add-on for installation from file:
+
+1. Include an ID in the extension’s `manifest.json` file, replacing **[email protected]_** with a suitable ID for your add-on:
+
+<!-- Syntax Highlighting -->
+```json
+"browser_specific_settings": {
+  "gecko": {
+    "id": "[email protected]"
+  }
+}
+```
+<!-- END: Syntax Highlighting -->
+
+An email address style ID is recommended.
+
+2. Sign the add-on on [addons.mozilla.org](https://addons.mozilla.org) (AMO). Depending on how you want to make your add-on available, you can use either the unlisted (if you are distributing the add-on exclusively) or listed options. For more details, see [Signing and distributing your add-on](/documentation/publish/signing-and-distribution-overview/).
+
+{% endcapture %}
+{% include modules/column-w-toc.liquid,
+	id: "preparing-your-addon"
+	content: content_with_toc
+%}
+
+<!-- END: Content with Table of Contents -->
+
+<!-- Single Column Body Module -->
+
+{% capture content %}
+
+## Install add-on from file on a computer
+
+To install an add-on from file in desktop Firefox, send the user the signed add-on with these instructions:
+
+1. Save the add-on file on your computer.
+
+2. In Firefox, open **Add-ons and themes**.
+
+3. From the settings cog, open **Install Add-on From File**.
+
+   ![Add-ons Manager setting cog](/assets/img/documentation/publish/install-addon-from-file.png)
+
+4. Browse to and open the saved add-on file.
+
+5. When prompted, click **Add**.
+
+   ![add add-on confirmation](/assets/img/documentation/publish/add_add_on_confirmation.png)
+
+6. The add-on now appears in the Add-on Manager’s list of installed add-ons and is ready to use.
+
+   ![add-on appears in add-ons manager](/assets/img/documentation/publish/add_on_added.png)
+
+{% endcapture %}
+{% include modules/one-column.liquid,
+  id: "install-addon-from-file"
+  content: content
+%}
+
+<!-- END: Single Column Body Module -->
+
+<!-- Single Column Body Module -->
+
+{% capture content %}
+
+## Install add-on from file on Android
+
+To install an extension in Firefox for Android from file, make the extension available as a web download or send the user the signed extension and provide them with these instructions:
+
+1. Download or save the extension file to your device.
+
+2. In Firefox, open **Settings**, then **About Firefox**.
+
+3. Tap the Firefox logo five times in quick succession. This unlocks hidden menu items.
+
+4. Open **Settings** and then **Install Extension from File**.
+
+5. Browse to and open the saved extension file.
+
+6. When prompted, click **Add**.
+
+7. The extension appears in the **Extension** list of installed extensions and is ready to use.
+
+{% endcapture %}
+{% include modules/one-column.liquid,
+  id: "install-addon-from-file-android"
+  content: content
+%}
+
+<!-- END: Single Column Body Module -->