2039917 - Add a section to the Private Browsing page about the "Clear Private Browsing"/fire button [Firefox 151]

Status: RESOLVED FIXED

(support.mozilla.org :: Knowledge Base Content, task)

Description

[kkim]

Did you check out the steps and FAQs for submitting requests to the CX content team? (yes or no)? [REQUIRED]

[karen] Yes. Apologies for my delay here - this SUMO change is overdue in our timing for the 151 schedule, so if there's a way we can add it during the 152 cycle, that would be wonderful.

Content access restriction: Is the content restricted to staff or under embargo (yes or no)? [REQUIRED]

No

Product (ensure to select only one product for each ticket. If your request involves multiple products, file an individual Bugzilla for each)

Choose one below and delete others. [REQUIRED]
Firefox for Desktop (Windows)
Firefox for Desktop (macOS)
Firefox for Desktop (Linux)

Select the type of request.

Choose one or more below and delete others. [REQUIRED]
KB content update

Please summarize the request, emphasizing any user-facing changes. Include historical context or background information if it helps users understand the new features or changes. [REQUIRED]

We would like to add a small new section to https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/private-browsing-use-firefox-without-history to describe how the feature works-- above "Other ways to control what information Firefox saves". For the sake of time, we can repurpose the write-up from the 151 release notes and paste the same featured picture:

Private Browsing Mode now allows users to instantly clear all data from their current session without closing the entire browser. When you select the End Private Session button (the fire icon) to the right of the URL bar, Firefox will ask you to confirm to clear your session. Once confirmed, it will wipe all of your private browsing data and open a fresh new Private session for you.

##Are the user-facing changes mentioned above for the production release, or is the feature/change experimental/ beta? (Production, Experimental or Beta) [REQUIRED]
The user-facing changes are final.

Are the new features or changes region-specific? Are they going to be released in a gradual rollout? [REQUIRED]

No - this feature is global.

Please indicate if this is an on- or off-train release [REQUIRED]

On-train release.

What is the anticipated release date? [REQUIRED]

May 19, 2026 - but due to the lateness of this request, any help the SUMO team has capacity for during this 152 Beta cycle would be super helpful.

Does the content need to be published prior to the release date? If so, when? [REQUIRED]

No - apologies for the delay on our side. If the change can make it into the Private Browsing SUMO page over the next few weeks, that would be very helpful.

Does the content need to be localized in any languages outside of EN-US? If yes, please indicate which languages. [REQUIRED]

Could we please start with EN-US and then localize the change gradually to global?

Please include any related JIRA/Github/Bugzilla tickets, documentation, demos or practical use cases. [REQUIRED]

Release Notes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zNeBR5IwlMp2Hi5WItwY33TekGwbPcGq5vqWyeZ6h98/edit?tab=t.0#bookmark=id.uy23j860i5tw
https://mozilla-hub.atlassian.net/browse/FIDE-3144
https://mozilla-hub.atlassian.net/browse/FFXP-3605

Please include links to any design assets, visuals, figma files, etc. [REQUIRED]

Note: The 151 Release Notes going out next week show a screenshot the latest version of the feature going out to production.

Please add instructions for testing that will enable us to replicate the expected product behavior. [REQUIRED]

Please open a private browsing window and seek the fire button to the right of the address bar. When you select that fire button, a dialog should be prompted requesting user confirmation. If you select "Clear private session," all Private Browsing windows and tabs will be wiped, and you will be left with only one open Private Browsing window.

Does the content need approval before publishing? If yes, identify the one approver responsible for this task. Note: Minor changes such as string updates are directly handled in SUMO, and will not lead to the generation of a pre-publishing draft. [REQUIRED]

No

Comment 1

[JC]

Asana created: https://app.asana.com/1/90589597529/project/1203460865189761/task/1214984590131673?focus=true

Comment 2

[Kelimutu [:kiki]]

Paul has agreed to help out with this, hence, assigning to him.

Comment 3

[Paul]

Draft for approval - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1k_DtiX12rGTQetxe6y3YXTTdmGYf4InhYq4TwiU_ZTQ/edit?usp=sharing

The proposed content has been marked up such that it will only appear to users with Fx151 or later.

Comment 4

[kkim]

Thank you, Paul!! This looks perfect - I'm signed off.

Comment 5

[Paul]

Edit ready for review - https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/private-browsing-use-firefox-without-history/history#preview

Comment 6

[Alice Wyman]

(In reply to Paul from comment #5)

Edit ready for review - https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/private-browsing-use-firefox-without-history/history#preview

Paul: Why is this "Staff approval required"? kkim already signed off.

Comment 7

[Alice Wyman]

Attachment: Fx151PrivateBrowsing-ClearPrivateSession.png

I submitted an edit to Paul's pending revision that includes the Image:Fx151PrivateBrowsing-ClearPrivateSession and a few minor changes to the new section for fx151. See https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/private-browsing-use-firefox-without-history/history

Comment 8

[Alice Wyman]

To Kiki: See https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/private-browsing-use-firefox-without-history/history
Can you review the pending revisions or refer this to a SUMO KB Content staff member, If Staff approval is required?

Comment 9

[Kelimutu [:kiki]]

Thanks, Paul. I just approved your revision.

Also, as Alice mentioned, this type of update doesn’t require staff KB review as long as the content itself has already been validated by the relevant product stakeholders. So for similar updates in the future, feel free to skip the “Staff approval needed” note in the revision comments.

@Alice You updated the button name from “Clear Private Session” to “End Private Session.” I just checked Nightly on my side, and it still appears as the former. Could you submit another revision to correct that?

Comment 10

[Alice Wyman]

Attachment: Fx151PrivateBrowsing-EndPrivateSessionButton.png

Kiki, In Firefox 151 the Private Browsing window fire button is labeled "End Private Session" when you hover over it. See also the bug description "summarize the request" section and the Firefox 151 release notes (quote)
Private Browsing Mode now allows you to instantly clear all data from your current session without closing the entire window. When you select the End Private Session button (the fire icon) to the right of the URL bar, Firefox will ask you to confirm to clear your session. Once confirmed, it will wipe all of your private browsing data and open a fresh new Private Browsing Mode session for you.

Comment 11

[Alice Wyman]

Kiki, I also checked in Firefox 152 Beta and 153 Nightly and the fire button is labeled "Clear Private Session. I submitted a revision that's pending review, to make it {for not fx152}End{/for}{for fx152}Clear{/for} Private Session button. Can you review?

Comment 12

[Kelimutu [:kiki]]

Oh, you're right. I'm on Nightly, that's why I was confused with your edit when I see it. Anyway, I just approved your latest revision. With this, I'm resolving this ticket.

Thank you all for your help with this one.