Can't log in to Firefox Home App on iOS - What to do

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  • Creator: Michael Verdi
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If you’ve run into problems logging in to Firefox Home, this article will walk you through the solutions to specific error messages. Note that some of these solutions require you to do things on your desktop. If you are having other issues with Firefox Home, please see Fix login and data issues with Firefox Home for iOS.


I get a "Login Failure - User Name Not Found" message

This can be fixed by updating Firefox Home to the latest version. This is something you do on your iPhone.

  • Open the Apple Store app on your iPhone.
  • Tap Updates in the lower right hand corner.
  • There should be a Firefox Home update available. Tap the Update button to install it.

I get a "Login Failure - Error Retrieving Data" message

If you get this error message, you may not have completely synced your Firefox data before trying to log in to Firefox Home. Using Firefox in Private Browsing - Use Firefox without saving history mode, having Firefox set not to save history or quitting Firefox before it completely syncs for the first time, can cause this error.

If you are using Private Browsing, disable it and then follow the steps to replace your Sync information. Then make sure you wait until Firefox has completely finished syncing your data before trying to log in to Firefox Home.

I get a "Cannot Sync - Failed To Communicate With Server" message

This message usually means that Firefox Home is having trouble connecting to the Firefox Sync server. This may be the result of one of the following:

  • You are not connected to the internet. Make sure you're connected to WiFi or in a location with good reception.
  • Your WiFi access point or network requires a log in via a website. Some networks may appear to connect but require a log in before allowing in traffic. Open the web site on your iPhone in Safari and log in before trying to log in to Firefox Home.
  • Your network is blocking access to the Firefox Sync servers. Please talk to your network administrator.

I forgot my password

If you've forgotten your Firefox Sync password you can reset it.

This is something you have to do on your desktop.

  1. At the top of the Firefox windowOn the menu bar, click on the ToolsFirefoxEdit menu and select OptionsPreferences...Preferences.
  2. Click on the Sync tab.
  3. Click the arrow next to Manage Account to reveal the Change Password link.


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  1. Click the Change Password link and a new password sheet will slide downwindow will open.
  2. Enter your password and then confirm your password.
    Usernames and passwords can contain these characters: ||a-z|0-9|`|~|!|@|#|$|%|&|*|(|)|-|_|=|+|[ ]|{|}|\|;|:|'|"|,|.|<|>|/|?||


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Other devices using Firefox Sync or Firefox Home may not be able to connect to your account until you enter this password on those devices
  1. Then click Change Password.
  2. Close the Settings page. Any changes you've made will automatically be saved. .
  3. From the Tools menu select Sync and Sync Now. Make sure that this sync completes before trying to log in again on your iPhone.
    • To see if the initial sync is complete, mouse over the Firefox Sync icon in the bottom right corner of the Firefox window. A tool tip should appear with a Last Update time. If there isn't a time listed or the time is a while ago, the Firefox Sync servers will not have your most recent data.
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I forgot my Secret Phrase

If you've forgotten your Firefox Sync Secret Phrase you can reset it.

This is something you have to do on your desktop.

  1. At the top of the Firefox windowOn the menu bar, click on the ToolsFirefoxEdit menu and select OptionsPreferences...Preferences.
  2. Click on the Sync tab.
  3. Click the arrow next to Manage Account to reveal the Change Secret Phrase link.


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  1. Click the Change Secret Phrase link and a new Secret Phrase sheet will slide downwindow will open.
  2. Enter a new Secret Phrase and then confirm it.


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This will erase all of your data stored on the server. New data will be secured by this phrase and then uploaded. Your other devices will not be able to sync until this new Secret Phrase is entered for that device.
  1. Then click Change Secret Phrase. Firefox will now resync your data with the server.
  2. Close the Settings page. Any changes you've made will automatically be saved. .
    • To see if the initial sync is complete, mouse over the Firefox Sync icon in the bottom right corner of the Firefox window. A tool tip should appear with a Last Update time. If there isn't a time listed or the time is a while ago, the Firefox Sync servers will not have your most recent data.
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