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LibreWolf 138.0.3-1 is a genuine historical LibreWolf build based on Firefox 138.0.3, not the current LibreWolf release. Firefox 138.0.3 was released on May 13, 2025, and LibreWolf 138.0.3-1 is superseded as of August 18, 2026. Use it for archival work, reproducible builds, or compatibility testing—not ordinary daily browsing.
The version can appear in an old package cache, repository index, source archive, or software listing. The identifier is legitimate, but its age matters: a browser from the Firefox 138 cycle does not include security, web-compatibility, and platform fixes added in later releases.
Key takeaways
- LibreWolf 138.0.3-1 is recorded in LibreWolf’s archived release and build infrastructure and is based on upstream Firefox 138.0.3.
- The
138.0.3portion identifies the Firefox-based browser version, while the trailing-1identifies a LibreWolf build or packaging revision. - Mozilla released Firefox 138 on April 29, 2025, and Firefox 138.0.3 on May 13, 2025, according to Mozilla’s release documentation and Bugzilla discussion.
- As of August 18, 2026, LibreWolf 138.0.3-1 is historical and superseded; current LibreWolf releases are in the 153 series and newer archive entries exist.
- The archived release includes Windows, Linux, and macOS artifacts, but the correct download depends on the operating system, CPU architecture, and package format.
- For daily internet use, install the current LibreWolf release or choose current Firefox, Firefox ESR, or a distribution-maintained Firefox package instead.
What is LibreWolf 138.0.3-1?
LibreWolf 138.0.3-1 is a real LibreWolf release identifier for a historical build of the privacy-focused Firefox fork. The release is recorded in LibreWolf’s archived bsys6 release tags and in the LibreWolf release archive.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchLibreWolf is a community-maintained Firefox fork focused on privacy, security, and user control. LibreWolf is separate from Mozilla Firefox and is not affiliated with Mozilla; LibreWolf’s official installation documentation describes the project and its supported installation routes.
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The identifier should not be read as “Firefox 138.0.3 with a different name.” LibreWolf uses Firefox as its upstream browser base, then applies its own configuration, patches, packaging, and maintenance decisions. The exact behavior can therefore differ from an identically numbered Mozilla Firefox build.
How should you read the version number?
The version has two meaningful parts: the upstream Firefox-based version and the LibreWolf build revision.
| Part | Meaning | What it does not mean |
|---|---|---|
LibreWolf |
The separate community-maintained Firefox fork. | It is not an official Mozilla Firefox package. |
138.0.3 |
The upstream Firefox application version on which this LibreWolf build is based. | It does not guarantee identical defaults, patches, telemetry behavior, or feature availability to Firefox 138.0.3. |
-1 |
The LibreWolf packaging or build revision attached to the Firefox-based version. | It is not a separate Firefox security release, and the available release metadata does not establish a particular code change represented by the suffix. |
Mozilla’s Firefox release catalog includes Firefox 138.0.3, while LibreWolf’s additional -1 distinguishes the LibreWolf build from other packages using the same upstream Firefox base.
When was LibreWolf 138.0.3-1 released?
LibreWolf 138.0.3-1 corresponds to the Firefox 138.0.3 maintenance line. Mozilla’s release notes identify Firefox 138 as released on April 29, 2025, and Mozilla Bugzilla’s release discussion records Firefox 138.0.3 as released on May 13, 2025.
| Milestone | Date or status | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Firefox 138 major release | April 29, 2025 | Mozilla Firefox 138 release notes |
| Firefox 138.0.3 maintenance release | May 13, 2025 | Mozilla Bugzilla release discussion |
| LibreWolf 138.0.3-1 | Historical LibreWolf build based on Firefox 138.0.3 | LibreWolf bsys6 tags |
| Status on August 18, 2026 | Superseded; current search results show LibreWolf releases in the 153 series and newer archive entries | Release record and current Arch package information |
The August 2026 status is important. A package can remain downloadable long after it stops being suitable as a normal browser. The existence of an archive entry does not make LibreWolf 138.0.3-1 current or fully updated.
What changed in the Firefox 138 base?
Firefox 138 introduced upstream browser and web-platform changes documented in Mozilla’s Firefox 138 release notes and the Firefox 138 developer documentation. Relevant upstream changes included:
- Profile management with separate profiles, profile names, avatars, themes, bookmarks, tabs, and history.
- Tab Groups becoming available to all users worldwide.
- On macOS and Linux, a tab-strip context-menu option for copying links from background tabs.
- Import-map integrity support.
- Support for
Error.isError. - Support for the non-standard
Error.captureStackTrace()extension. - A Network panel column displaying the complete request path.
- Changes to the default user-agent styling of
<h1>elements in certain sectioning contexts.
Those are Firefox 138 upstream changes, not a complete LibreWolf 138.0.3-1 changelog. LibreWolf can disable, modify, or configure Firefox features differently, particularly features involving telemetry, experiments, sponsored content, recommendations, or privacy-sensitive defaults. The archived release listing confirms the version and artifact set, but it does not by itself document every LibreWolf-specific patch or configuration change.
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The safest description is that LibreWolf 138.0.3-1 combines the Firefox 138.0.3 codebase with LibreWolf’s privacy-oriented configuration and patches. Do not treat Mozilla’s Firefox release notes as proof that every Firefox feature behaved identically in LibreWolf.
Which LibreWolf 138.0.3-1 files match each platform?
The archived release record lists platform-specific installers, packages, portable archives, and source material. The following examples use filenames documented in the 138.0.3-1 artifact listing. Select the architecture and package type that match the target system.
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| Platform | Artifact examples | Use case | Main caution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows 64-bit | librewolf-138.0.3-1-windows-x86_64-setup.exelibrewolf-138.0.3-1-windows-x86_64-portable.zip |
Use the setup executable for a conventional installation; use the portable ZIP for a manually managed copy. | The installer and portable copy are old and should not be assumed to receive current automatic updates. |
| Windows 32-bit | librewolf-138.0.3-1-windows-i686-setup.exelibrewolf-138.0.3-1-windows-i686-portable.zip |
Only for a genuinely 32-bit Windows system. | Do not choose i686 merely because the filename is shorter; most modern Windows systems are x86_64. |
| Windows package or MSIX | librewolf-138.0.3-1-windows-x86_64-package.ziplibrewolf-138.0.3-1-windows-x86_64-msix.msix |
Alternative Windows packaging formats. | Packaging and system-integration behavior differs from the conventional installer. |
| Debian-based Linux, 64-bit | librewolf-138.0.3-1-linux-x86_64-deb.deb |
For compatible Debian, Ubuntu, Mint, or related systems. | A historical DEB may have dependency or ABI problems on a newer distribution. |
| RPM-based Linux, 64-bit | librewolf-138.0.3-1-linux-x86_64-rpm.rpm |
For a compatible RPM-based distribution. | Package dependencies and distribution expectations must match the target system. |
| Generic Linux, 64-bit | librewolf-138.0.3-1-linux-x86_64-package.tar.xz |
For a manually integrated Linux installation when a distribution package is unsuitable. | Desktop integration, profile separation, and updates require manual attention. |
| Linux 32-bit | librewolf-138.0.3-1-linux-i686-package.tar.xz, DEB, or RPM variants |
Only for a genuinely 32-bit Linux system. | 32-bit operating systems and libraries are increasingly unsupported. |
| Linux ARM64 | librewolf-138.0.3-1-linux-arm64-package.tar.xz or ARM64 DEB |
For compatible 64-bit ARM Linux hardware. | CPU architecture alone does not guarantee compatible libraries or graphics support. |
| macOS Intel | librewolf-138.0.3-1-macos-x86_64-package.dmg |
For Intel-based Macs. | Do not use the Intel package as the preferred build on Apple Silicon when a compatible ARM64 artifact is required. |
| macOS Apple Silicon | librewolf-138.0.3-1-macos-arm64-package.dmg |
For Apple Silicon Macs. | Choose ARM64 rather than x86_64 when native Apple Silicon compatibility is required. |
The release listing also includes the corresponding Windows i686 and x86_64 package and MSIX variants, Linux i686 and ARM64 packages, and both macOS architectures. Use the official archive or LibreWolf project infrastructure rather than an unattributed “old versions” mirror.
Is LibreWolf 138.0.3-1 the same as Firefox 138.0.3?
No. LibreWolf 138.0.3-1 is based on Firefox 138.0.3, but it is a separate browser build with LibreWolf-specific configuration, patches, and packaging. The shared number identifies the upstream base; it does not establish identical behavior or identical update policies.
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Mozilla’s official Firefox artifacts for Firefox 138.0.3 are available in Mozilla’s Firefox 138.0.3 release directory. Those Mozilla files should not be confused with the LibreWolf artifacts listed above.
LibreWolf’s privacy focus also should not be turned into a promise of anonymity or complete protection from tracking. Privacy depends on browser configuration, extensions, websites, operating-system security, network conditions, and the user’s threat model.
How can you verify a LibreWolf 138.0.3-1 download?
Verify both the source and the file before opening an old installer or package. A download from a familiar-looking filename is not sufficient evidence of authenticity.
- Start with a trusted location. Prefer
librewolf.net, LibreWolf’s official GitLab or Codeberg infrastructure, the official LibreWolf archive, or an operating system’s official package repository. Avoid third-party repackaged installers and old-version mirrors. - Confirm the exact artifact. Check the operating system, architecture, package type, and complete filename. A Windows executable, Linux DEB, macOS DMG, and source archive are different artifacts.
- Calculate the SHA-256 digest. On Linux or macOS, run:
sha256sum <downloaded-file>Compare the resulting digest with the checksum published by the same trusted release source. The LibreWolf source release listing includes source archive, SHA-256 checksum, and signature files at the source-release record.
- Use signature verification when available. A valid signature provides stronger provenance than a checksum alone, provided the correct public key and verification procedure are used. Mozilla’s Firefox 138.0.3 directory also publishes
SHA256SUMS,SHA256SUMS.asc, and platform artifacts in the Firefox release directory. - Stop on a mismatch. Do not bypass a checksum, signature, operating-system warning, or package-manager warning simply to force an old browser to install.
A checksum detects corruption or an unexpected file change; a checksum by itself does not prove that the file came from the legitimate publisher. Signature verification addresses provenance more strongly, but only when the signing key and verification process are trustworthy.
What is the difference between source and binary files?
A source archive contains code and build material; a platform artifact is intended for installation or execution. The two categories should not be interchanged.
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| Filename or extension | What it is | Can you run it directly? |
|---|---|---|
librewolf-138.0.3-1.source.tar.gz |
LibreWolf source code. | No. It must be built in an appropriate environment. |
.exe, .msix |
Windows installer, package, or portable-related artifact. | On compatible Windows systems, subject to verification and compatibility. |
.deb |
Debian-family Linux package. | Only through a compatible package-management environment. |
.rpm |
RPM-family Linux package. | Only on a compatible RPM-based system with required dependencies. |
.tar.xz |
Compressed generic Linux package archive. | After extraction and manual integration or execution setup. |
.dmg |
macOS disk-image package. | On compatible Intel or Apple Silicon macOS, depending on the artifact. |
.zip |
Portable or package archive. | After extraction, according to the package’s contents and platform. |
A build made from source can differ from an official prebuilt artifact because compiler versions, dependencies, patches, and build-environment settings can differ. Do not download the source archive when the goal is simply to install a ready-to-run browser.
Should you install LibreWolf 138.0.3-1 today?
Install LibreWolf 138.0.3-1 only for a controlled, specific reason. The build is appropriate for reproducing an old environment, testing a legacy web application against the Firefox 138 engine, investigating a historical bug, rebuilding or comparing a package, or maintaining an offline archive.
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute| Use case | Recommendation | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Normal daily browsing on an internet-connected computer | Do not use 138.0.3-1 | It is superseded and lacks later security and compatibility fixes. |
| Historical compatibility testing | Use 138.0.3-1 in isolation | The old Firefox 138 base may be the required test condition. |
| Reproducible build or package comparison | Use the archived source and matching metadata | The exact historical revision is part of the experiment. |
| Offline archival workstation | Use only with a documented threat model | Offline operation reduces exposure, but the old software remains unsupported for current browsing. |
| Nontechnical user’s primary browser | Use a current supported browser | Current updates, compatibility, and simpler maintenance matter more than historical fidelity. |
A Firefox 138-cycle browser is more than a year old by August 2026. Do not call LibreWolf 138.0.3-1 secure for present-day browsing merely because the release was legitimate when published.
How should you install it for historical testing?
For a new LibreWolf installation, follow the current official installation instructions instead of pinning the 138.0.3-1 archive. The current instructions cover Windows, Arch Linux, Debian-based distributions, Gentoo, RHEL-family distributions, openSUSE, macOS, and other supported routes.
If an exact historical build is required, use this safer workflow:
- Record the operating system version, CPU architecture, archive date, artifact filename, and checksum.
- Download the matching artifact from the official archive or project release infrastructure.
- Verify the checksum and available signature before installation.
- Install or extract the browser in a location separate from the current daily browser.
- Use a separate test profile. Back up any existing profile before opening it with an old browser.
- Do not open the same profile concurrently in LibreWolf 138.0.3-1 and a current LibreWolf or Firefox build.
- Keep the historical browser offline or restrict its use to the intended test site whenever possible.
- After testing, return to a current supported browser for normal browsing.
The exact version displayed in LibreWolf’s About dialog can vary slightly by platform or packaging format. Confirm the installed version through the browser’s About dialog and, on Linux, through the package manager’s installed-version output rather than expecting one universal display string.
Why does apt install librewolf not install 138.0.3-1?
The command sudo apt update && sudo apt install librewolf -y installs the version currently exposed by the configured LibreWolf Debian-family repository; it does not pin the historical 138.0.3-1 build.
LibreWolf documents Debian-family repository infrastructure at its package repository. Current repositories generally track newer releases rather than retaining every historical package. If a repository no longer offers 138.0.3-1, that is expected for a superseded version.
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For a historical Debian-based installation, use a specifically archived DEB only after checking its dependencies and ABI against the target distribution. Do not mix an old standalone package with a current package-manager installation unless the executable path, desktop entry, profile location, package ownership, and update mechanism are understood.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What should Arch, Fedora, and other Linux users know?
Linux compatibility depends on more than the filename. Distribution release, system libraries, CPU architecture, display stack, codecs, graphics drivers, and package-management conventions can all affect whether an old LibreWolf build installs and runs.
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The historical AUR ecosystem included packages such as librewolf and librewolf-bin. The Arch User Repository package page tracks much newer releases by 2026. Do not assume that installing the current AUR package will produce 138.0.3-1, and do not instruct a current Arch user to use an archived PKGBUILD unless the exact historical source and build requirements are documented.
Search results also indicate a possible transition into Arch’s official extra repository, but current repository status should be checked against Arch’s live package database before relying on that detail. That current distribution status is separate from the historical LibreWolf 138.0.3-1 release.
Fedora and RHEL-family distributions
LibreWolf provides RPM repository infrastructure at the LibreWolf RPM repository. A current RPM repository does not prove that the historical 138.0.3-1 RPM remains available. Check the archive and package dependencies rather than substituting a current repository command for an exact-version installation.
Generic Linux tarball
The .tar.xz package can be useful when a distribution package is unsuitable, but manual installation means manual decisions about extraction location, desktop integration, executable paths, profile separation, and updates. A generic tarball is not automatically more compatible than a DEB or RPM.
What if the old browser will not install or websites break?
“The download exists, but the browser will not install.”
Installation failure usually points to an architecture mismatch, missing or incompatible libraries, a package built for a different distribution release, an outdated installer, a corrupted archive, a failed signature or checksum, or a conflict with another LibreWolf installation.
- Confirm the operating system and architecture: x86_64, i686, or ARM64, and Intel or Apple Silicon on macOS.
- Recalculate the checksum against the trusted release value.
- Read the complete package dependency or installer error rather than ignoring it.
- Check whether another LibreWolf package owns the same executable, desktop entry, or profile.
- Use a current official package unless reproducing the historical build is essential.
- Do not bypass signature, checksum, or package-manager warnings.
“The old browser launches, but websites break.”
Websites can fail because the old engine predates later web-platform changes, current JavaScript or CSS behavior, TLS and certificate changes, media-codec requirements, graphics-stack changes, bug fixes, or extension updates. Test the same site in a current supported browser; if the current browser works, treat LibreWolf 138.0.3-1 as a historical compatibility fixture rather than a daily-browser replacement.
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“The old profile behaves differently after switching versions.”
Do not assume that profiles are safely interchangeable across widely separated browser versions. Back up the profile, avoid opening the same profile concurrently in different versions, and reproduce the old environment with a separate profile whenever possible.
What are the best alternatives to LibreWolf 138.0.3-1?
The best alternative depends on whether the priority is current LibreWolf defaults, Mozilla’s upstream browser, slower feature changes, or centralized distribution management.
| Option | Best fit | Relevant trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Current LibreWolf | Users who want LibreWolf’s privacy-oriented defaults on a current Firefox base. | It remains a separate community-maintained fork, so behavior and support differ from Mozilla Firefox. |
| Current Firefox | Users who want Mozilla’s upstream browser, official support channels, and minimal divergence from Mozilla’s release behavior. | Firefox’s defaults and feature choices differ from LibreWolf’s. |
| Firefox ESR | Organizations and users who value a slower feature cadence and extended maintenance. | ESR follows a different release model from the regular Firefox and LibreWolf lines. |
| Distribution-maintained Firefox package | Users who prioritize signed distribution updates, system integration, and centralized administration. | Distribution packaging and defaults may differ from both Mozilla’s builds and LibreWolf. |
No option is universally “more private” or “more secure.” The practical result depends on update speed, browser defaults, extensions, sandboxing, operating-system maintenance, package provenance, and the user’s threat model.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is LibreWolf 138.0.3-1 an official LibreWolf release?
Yes. LibreWolf 138.0.3-1 is recorded in LibreWolf’s official project and archive infrastructure as a genuine historical build. Individual third-party mirrors that copy the files should not automatically be treated as official.
Is LibreWolf 138.0.3-1 the same as Firefox 138.0.3?
No. LibreWolf 138.0.3-1 is based on Firefox 138.0.3, but LibreWolf is a separate fork with its own configuration, patches, packaging, and maintenance. The shared version number does not guarantee identical behavior.
Is LibreWolf 138.0.3-1 safe to use for daily browsing in August 2026?
No. LibreWolf 138.0.3-1 is a superseded historical build as of August 18, 2026, so it should not be the normal browser for an internet-connected system. Use a current supported browser for daily browsing.
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The files are associated with LibreWolf’s official archive and release infrastructure. Choose the artifact matching the operating system and CPU architecture, and verify its checksum and available signature before opening it.
Why does the command apt install librewolf install a different version?
The command installs the version currently available from the configured LibreWolf Debian-family repository; it does not request historical version 138.0.3-1. A superseded package may exist only in an official archive or reproducible package snapshot.
Can LibreWolf 138.0.3-1 be installed beside a current LibreWolf build?
It can create package, executable-path, desktop-entry, update, and profile conflicts, so coexistence should not be assumed safe. Use separate installation locations and separate profiles, back up profiles first, and avoid opening one profile with both old and current browser versions.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: LibreWolf 138.0.3-1 is legitimate, but it is historical. The version means “LibreWolf based on Firefox 138.0.3, build revision 1,” and the archive contains platform-specific installers and packages. Use the build only for reproducible, offline, archival, or compatibility work. For ordinary browsing, install the current LibreWolf release or another currently maintained browser.
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