# Backspace Enabler

> Re-enable disabled by default ability to hit the Backspace key to go back to the previous page. Backspace Enabler gets this functionality, while keeping ability to delete text while in text box. PLEASE POST FEEDBACK / REVIEW

Canonical page: [https://chrome-stats.com/d/backspace-enabler](https://chrome-stats.com/d/backspace-enabler)

## Overview

- **ID:** `backspace-enabler`
- **Platform:** Firefox
- **Type:** Firefox add-on
- **Status:** Available
- **Publisher:** Mikko Hämäläinen
- **Category:** appearance,tabs
- **Daily users:** 1,887
- **Weekly downloads:** 23
- **Rating:** 4.22 / 5 (27 ratings)
- **Version:** 1.0
- **Last updated:** 2022-05-27
- **First published:** 2022-05-26
- **Size:** 48 KB
- **Data as of:** 2026-09-07
- **Store listing:** [Firefox Add-ons Store](https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/backspace-enabler/)

## Description

Backspace Enabler is a Firefox extension designed to restore the convenient navigation shortcut of using the Backspace key to go back to the previous page, a feature disabled by default starting Firefox 86. This extension preserves the standard text deletion functionality while your cursor is within text fields, ensuring a seamless browsing and editing experience. Simply install Backspace Enabler to bring back the familiar Backspace navigation without sacrificing typing accuracy. It works only when there is a page to go back to. Users are encouraged to share feedback and report issues via reviews to improve functionality.

## Rankings

- #2,270 — Overall
- #196 — Tabs
- #366 — Appearance
- #58 — feedback
- #58 — function
- #115 — cursors

## Permissions and access

### Permissions

- `activeTab`
- `tabs`
- `storage`

### Content script matches

- `*`

## Safety

- **Risk impact:** High risk impact
- **Risk likelihood:** Low risk likelihood

### Analysis details

- Grants access to browser tabs, which can be used to track user browsing habits and history, presenting a privacy concern.
- This extension has low user count. Unpopular extensions may not be stable or safe.

> Some risk analysis details are omitted from this free response. [Upgrade to view the full analysis](https://chrome-stats.com/pricing).

## Review summary

Backspace Enabler is a lightweight, easy fix that restores Backspace navigation for going back a page. Reviews praise its core function and small footprint, but note inconsistent reliability across pages and sites (notably YouTube and GitHub). Some users realize Firefox can enable this behavior via about:config, making the extension optional. A few mention the URL-bar indicator as clutter. Overall, it’s a convenient keyboard shortcut, but not universally dependable.

### Pros

- Restores back navigation using the Backspace key across many sites, addressing a feature users were missing.
- Lightweight and compact extension with a minimal footprint.
- Easy to install and use; provides an immediate benefit without complex setup.

### Cons

- Reliability is inconsistent: it doesn’t work on all pages and can stop working unpredictably.
- Site-specific reliability issues; some users report it failing on YouTube and GitHub.
- Firefox already supports backspace navigation via about:config (browser.backspace\_action), so the extension can be redundant for some users.
- Some users would prefer to hide or remove the indicator icon in the URL bar to reduce visual clutter.

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Source: [Chrome-Stats](https://chrome-stats.com/d/backspace-enabler)