Firefox for iOS preview released in New Zealand, full iOS version available before end of 2015

If you’ve been hankering for Firefox on your iOS device for years, it looks like it’s on its way.

Mozilla has launched a limited trial program of the web browser in New Zealand to shake out bugs and gather data ahead of a planned worldwide debut later this year.

Mozilla announced availability of the first Firefox for iOS preview on Thursday, noting testing will expand beyond New Zealand to other unnamed countries before a full public launch.

The company will use the test build to gather data and user feedback to figure out what features to develop. Among the current features undergoing testing is Intelligent Search, a suggested search tool that surfaces relevant results from a user’s chosen providers. Firefox Accounts provides portable account management and cross-device syncing of browsing history, passwords and tabs.

Mozilla is also collecting feedback to help squash bugs and optimize performance so it can get Firefox in the iOS App Store by the end of 2015. Users can respond directly to the company via an in-app message submittal system.

Back in 2013, Mozilla went on the record to say that it would not be porting Firefox to iOS until Apple loosened restrictions on Web browsers marketed through the App Store. The company subsequently reversed course and late last year announced plans to bring Firefox over to iOS.

Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

Via AppleInsider and Mozilla.org