How to manually update Firefox .xpi extensions
With every new version of Mozilla Firefox the same problem arises… a lot of add-ons become obsolete.
There are two ways: You can wait till author releases updated version or do it by yourself. Let’s have a look at the second option, from beginning to end.
The .xpi file format is just renamed .zip archive. So to get in the structure of extension open the archive and look round… You can see some dirs, files and mainly - install.rdf. This is the installation/description file and source of most problems. Even add-on for Firefox 1.0 can (but may not) work in Firefox 3, but first you have to edit install.rdf, which specifies parameters: maxVersion and updateURL.
<em:maxVersion> edit
In install.rdf look for tag(s, there could be more tags for more applications - Firefox, Seamonkey) “<em:maxVersion>” and edit it (, even overdraw):
<em:maxVersion>2.0.0.*</em:maxVersion> -> <em:maxVersion>4.*</em:maxVersion>
Now save all changes, update install.rdf in .zip archive, rename to .xpi and try to install your modified extension. Probably there will be some little difficulties (depiction, some parts won’t work), but the main problem is solved.
There are stricter security rules for add-ons in Firefox 3. One of them is requirement for secure updates, it means over https. Unfortunately, a lot of extensions have http update URL. You can fix it by removing the certain tag (then you’ll have to update manually).
<em:updateURL> edit
Find tag <em:updateURL> and take it out, example:
<em:updateURL>http://download.seznam.cz/listicka/update.rdf</em:updateURL>
Now save all changes… and try.
These are problems I’ve encoutered/solved by switching to Firefox 3. But a stack of another ones exist, I suppose. In my case, the results are not perfect, but basic functionality stays preserved.
extensions.checkCompatibility edit
I’ve also found an elegant solution without tampering with files… all You need is disable extensions.checkCompatibility in about:config (write it in adress bar). More at http://thatsquality.com/ubuntu/all-in-one-gestures-with-firefox-3-0b2pre.
Tags: firefox
