What to know

  • Mozilla is shutting down Pocket, the popular read-it-later app it acquired in 2017.
  • Users have until December 2025 to export their saved articles and content.
  • Mozilla cited "strategic priorities" as the reason for discontinuing the service.
  • The company will focus resources on its core Firefox browser and privacy-focused products.

Mozilla announced yesterday that it will shut down Pocket, the popular read-it-later application that allows users to save articles, videos, and other content for later consumption. The service will officially close in December 2025, giving users approximately seven months to export their saved content.

Pocket, which Mozilla acquired in 2017 for an undisclosed sum, has been a staple tool for many internet users who wanted to bookmark interesting content to read when they had more time. The app gained popularity for its clean interface and cross-platform functionality.

In an email sent to users and a blog post published on their website, Mozilla explained the decision was made to align with the company's "strategic priorities." The company plans to redirect resources toward its core Firefox browser and other privacy-focused products.

"After careful consideration, we've made the difficult decision to discontinue Pocket," the announcement stated. "We understand this will impact many loyal users, and we're committed to making the transition as smooth as possible."

Mozilla has provided detailed instructions for users to export their saved content. You can access the export tool through your Pocket account settings. The exported file will contain all your saved articles, tags, and favorites in a format that can be imported into alternative services.

Several alternatives to Pocket exist in the market, including Instapaper, Matter, and Readwise. Mozilla has not officially recommended any specific replacement service.

The shutdown marks the end of an eight-year relationship between Mozilla and Pocket. When Mozilla acquired the service in 2017, Pocket had approximately 10 million monthly active users and had saved over 3 billion articles.

Industry analysts suggest this move reflects Mozilla's need to streamline operations amid increasing competition in the browser market. The organization has faced financial challenges in recent years, with revenue primarily coming from search engine partnerships.

Mozilla has confirmed that all user data will be permanently deleted after the December shutdown date. Premium subscribers will receive prorated refunds for any remaining subscription time.