Firefox Community Forum

FF is my default browser. My computer is a new iMac (M3) desktop. I have used FF for several years without incident, until today. It opened normally, and then the familiar update pop-up said an update was available and invited me to re-start the browser. That requires providing admin credentials to the "Install the 'Helper tool' " pop-up, which I have done every time without incident, until today. A follow-on pop-up then asked if I wanted to allow Firefox to access other apps and devices, which I had never seen before. I said "No", and that was the end of my FF browsing experience. Every time I try to start the FF browser, it wants me to try to install the Helper tool; I provide admin creds, it goes away (fails), and the browser never starts.

I have a lot of bookmarked URLs and other browser-related data that are extremely important, and I cannot afford to lose them. Used Safari & Google & Mozilla helped me learn the location of the FF "Profile" folder. Navigated there and copied/pasted it (ends in ".default-release") to my "Documents" folder as a back-up copy. Downloaded a new instance of FF from Mozilla download page. Didn't open. Went to download folder, clicked the .dmg file, which opened a small pop-up. Followed the instructions to hold down the CTRL key while clicking "Eject Firefox". Nothing productive happened (no new FF icon). The old icon in the dock still doesn't start the app.

Would it be useful at this point to un-install Firefox (in Applications) and then try again to download a new version? If so, I would need help on how to make the old Profile folder (the back-up copy) available to the new instance.

Thank you very much.

I have a user at my job that installed the latest Firefox update (13324.11.21) through our MDM. After installing this update she cannot launch Firefox. When attempting to launch she receives a request for a username and password to install a Helper Tool. She is an admin on her machine and enters her credentials. The message closes and nothing happens. When attempting to launch again the same thing happens. This is not happening with our other 100 Macs who have the same Firefox version and others who have the same OS.

Is anyone able to tell me why this is happening or how to fix? Any assistance is very much appreciated.

The below troubleshooting steps have been done:

Uninstalled and reinstalled Firefox

Updated the OS to 15.0.1

Disabled the Master Password on Firefox through a Mac Profile

Checked if there was a Firefox file under /Library/PrivlegedHelperTools

Granted Full Disk Access to Firefox under System Settings

I've been on the phone to Apple support and just returned from the local Apple store and genius bar. My Mac Pro laptop was too old and would not support the newer OS. In installing a OS, I lost my bookmarks and the menu bar that gave easy access. I've since purchased a new Apple Air laptop and everything from the old laptop has been migrated over.

However, working with Apple support and the local genius bar Apple store rep., nobody has been able to help me rebuild the links to a menu bar for quick access. Presently I have some bookmarked. I have to go to the book marks to access any particular URL. All the directions on the web have not provided way to do this!

Thanks, Barry <Interns2llnl@charter.net>