# SwipeToNavigate

> Firefox Add-on to enable two-finger left and right gestures to navigate browser history

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

## Overview

- **ID:** `swipetonavigate`
- **Platform:** Firefox
- **Type:** Firefox add-on
- **Status:** Available
- **Publisher:** top1
- **Category:** appearance
- **Daily users:** 464
- **Weekly downloads:** 5
- **Rating:** 3.86 / 5 (35 ratings)
- **Version:** 0.3.0
- **Last updated:** 2022-05-23
- **First published:** 2019-05-26
- **Size:** 97 KB
- **Data as of:** 2026-09-10
- **Store listing:** [Firefox Add-ons Store](https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/swipetonavigate/)
- **Website:** [https://github.com/totu/Swipe2Nav/issues](https://github.com/totu/Swipe2Nav/issues)

## Description

SwipeToNavigate is a privacy-focused Firefox add-on that brings OS X-like two-finger swipe gestures to navigate browser history on other platforms. Unlike other solutions, SwipeToNavigate requires minimal permissions and does not spy on users. The extension hooks into mouse scrolling to detect sideways swipes, enabling seamless back and forward navigation.

The source code is fully transparent and freely available on GitHub, ensuring users can verify its safety and integrity. SwipeToNavigate is ideal for users who want intuitive gesture controls while maintaining privacy and control over their browsing experience.

## Rankings

- #5,202 — Overall
- #37 — jquery
- #153 — navigation
- #153 — problem
- #158 — tons
- #187 — permission

## Permissions and access

### Permissions

- `storage`

### Content script matches

- `*`

## Safety

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

### Analysis details

- Allows access to all websites, posing a significant security risk as it can monitor and modify data from any visited site.
- 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

SwipeToNavigate is a useful Firefox add-on providing essential swipe navigation on macOS and Linux where Firefox lacks native gesture support. Users appreciate its functionality with trackpads, but common issues include overly sensitive swipe detection causing unintended multi-page navigation, inconsistent behavior on certain Linux setups, and lack of visual feedback. Some users also note it interferes with zoom and touch gestures. Despite privacy concerns regarding permissions, it's considered the best available solution until Firefox officially supports gestures.

### Pros

- Works as described, providing swipe navigation that Firefox lacks by default.
- Essential for users on macOS and Linux who want gesture support in Firefox.
- Allows smooth navigation with a trackpad or touchpad, enhancing user experience.
- Provides a workaround until Firefox natively supports gestures.
- Helpful for users transitioning from browsers with built-in gesture support like Safari or Edge.

### Cons

- Swipe sensitivity is difficult to tune, often causing users to go back or forward two pages unintentionally.
- Interferes with normal touchpad gestures when zoomed in, causing unintended navigation.
- Does not work reliably or at all on some Linux distributions, especially Debian and Arch with Gnome Wayland.
- Lacks visual feedback during swipe gestures, making navigation control uncertain.
- Requires broad permissions ('Access your data for all websites'), raising privacy concerns for some users.

## Similar extensions and apps

- [Simple Swipe Navigator](https://chrome-stats.com/d/simple-swipe-navigator) — 126 users, 3.33 / 5
- [freheSwipe](https://chrome-stats.com/d/freheswipe) — 1 users
- [Two-Finger History Jump](https://chrome-stats.com/d/two-finger-history-jump) — 234 users, 4.11 / 5
- [History touchscreen gestures](https://chrome-stats.com/d/history-touchscreen-gestures) — 4 users, 3.00 / 5
- [PrecisionTouchPadSwipe](https://chrome-stats.com/d/precisiontouchpadswipe) — 237 users, 4.13 / 5
- [History Trackpad Swiper](https://chrome-stats.com/d/history-trackpad-swipe) — 1 users
- [Touchscreen Swipe Navigation](https://chrome-stats.com/d/touchscreen-swipe-navigation) — 148 users, 4.50 / 5
- [Swipe two to back/forward](https://chrome-stats.com/d/swipe-two-to-back-forward) — 1 users
- [Foxy Gestures](https://chrome-stats.com/d/foxy-gestures) — 17,139 users, 4.22 / 5
- [Gesture-Based Navigation](https://chrome-stats.com/d/gesture-based-navigation) — 1 users
- [Mile Wide Back](https://chrome-stats.com/d/milewideback-webext) — 65 users, 4.67 / 5
- [Right Mouse Click Scroll](https://chrome-stats.com/d/roght-mouse-click-scroll) — 4 users, 5.00 / 5

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