How do I choose what information to sync on Firefox?

Revision Information
  • Revision id: 27118
  • Created:
  • Creator: Michael Verdi
  • Comment: New 160 character search summary
  • Reviewed: Yes
  • Reviewed:
  • Reviewed by: Verdi
  • Is approved? Yes
  • Is current revision? No
  • Ready for localization: Yes
  • Readied for localization:
  • Readied for localization by: Verdi
Revision Source
Revision Content

Firefox Sync can be managed from one of your synced computers (device, data, account) or from any computer (data, account). This article describes how to manage your Firefox Sync account.

Note: This applies to the latest Firefox version which can be downloaded from mozilla.org/firefox.

Accessing your Sync account

Use the following procedures to log in to your Sync account, depending on what computer you are using.

How do I access my Sync account from one of my synced computers?

  1. Launch Firefox.
  2. In the Menu bar at the top of the screen, click Firefox and select Settings (select Preferences on older macOS versions).Click the menu button Fx89menuButton and select Settings.
  3. Click on the Sync icon. The Sync preferences panel appears.
    Manage Sync Account - Win Fx11 Manage Sync Account - Win1Manage Sync Mac

How do I access my Sync account from any computer?

  1. Open a browser.
  2. Go to https://account.services.mozilla.com.
  3. Enter your username and password.
  4. Click Login. Your Firefox Sync account management portal will load.
    Manage Sync Account - Win2

Adding, renaming and deactivating your devices

The following procedures will help you manage your synced devices.

How do I add a device to my Firefox Sync?

See How do I set up Sync on my computer? and Use Sync to share your Firefox bookmarks, passwords and more with Firefox for mobile.

How do I deactivate my synced device?

  1. Open the Sync options windowpreferences panel.
  2. Click on Deactivate This Device. A prompt will appear.
    Sync Mac Deactivate
  3. Click Reset All Information to confirm. Your device's data will no longer be synced with the server's Sync data and you'll be logged out of your Sync account.

How do I rename my synced device?

  1. Open the Sync options windowpreferences panel.
  2. At the bottom of the window, enter the computer name for your Sync account. The device name is changed in the Tabs from Other Computer's page.
    Sync Mac Rename

Managing your Sync data

The following procedures show you how to select, decrease, reset, clear and request more quota for your your Sync data.

How do I select the data that I want to sync?

Note: For security reasons, the master password is not synced even if passwords and preferences are selected.
  1. Open the Sync options windowpreferences panel.
  2. In the Sync My section, select the check box for each data type you want to sync: bookmarks, passwords, preferences, history, open tabs.
    Sync Mac Data

How do I select the data that I want to sync?

Note: For security reasons, the master password is not synced even if passwords and preferences are selected.
  1. Open the Sync options windowpreferences panel.
  2. In the Sync My section, select the check box for each data type you want to sync: bookmarks, passwords, preferences, history, open tabs, add-ons.
    Sync Mac Data

How do I decrease the amount of data I want to sync?

  1. Open the Sync options windowpreferences panel.
  2. Click Manage Account and then select View Quota. A sheet displaying your server quota will slide downA window displaying your server quota will open.
  3. Uncheck items to stop syncing them and free up space on the server.
  4. Then click OK to confirm and close the sheetwindow.

How do I reset my Sync data?

  1. Open the Sync options windowpreferences panel.
  2. Click Manage Account and then select Reset Sync. A sheet displaying the Sync preferences will slide downA window displaying the Sync options will open.
  3. Select the action you want to take:
    • Recommended: Merge this computer's data with my Sync data
    • Replace all data on this computer with my Sync data
    • Replace all other devices with this computer's data
  4. Click NextContinue. A confirmation sheet appears.
  5. To re-sync your device and Sync data according to your selected setting, click NextContinue.

How do I clear my Sync data?

Warning: This will delete all of your data.
  1. Log in to https://account.services.mozilla.com.
  2. Click Clear your Sync data.
  3. Click Clear My Sync Data to confirm.

How do I request a quota increase?

  1. Log in to https://account.services.mozilla.com.
  2. Click Request a quota increase.
  3. Enter the increase you want and the reason for the increase.
  4. Click Submit Request to confirm.
    Note: You need to wait for the quota to be approved before it will be available on your account.
  5. To finish managing your Sync account from the account management portal, click Sign out at the top right of the page.

For more information on the Sync quota, see How much of my data is synced?.

Managing your Sync password and key

The following procedures show you how to change your Sync password, and view or regenerate your Sync KeyRecovery Key.

How do I change my Sync password from one of my synced computers?

Warning: Your other devices will stop syncing unless you update them with the new password.
  1. Open the Sync options windowpreferences panel.
  2. On the Sync panel, click Manage Account and then select Change Password. A dialog box with your password will appearA window displaying your password will open.

    Sync Mac Password
  3. Type your new password and then confirm it.
  4. Click Change Password to apply the change and close the dialogwindow.
  5. Close the Settings page. Any changes you've made will automatically be saved.

How do I change my Sync password from any computer?

Warning: Your devices will stop syncing unless you update them with the new password.
  1. Log in to https://account.services.mozilla.com.
  2. Click on Change your password.
  3. Enter your new password and then confirm it.
  4. Then click Change your Password to apply the change.

Where can I find my Sync Key?

The Sync KeyRecovery Key is used to encrypt your data before it's sent to the Mozilla servers. Think of it as a key that locks your information in a vault that only you can open. This means that neither Mozilla nor anyone else can read your information without having your Sync KeyRecovery Key to unlock it.

To find your Sync Key, complete the following steps in Firefox on a computer that already has your Sync account set up. If you don't have any synced devices close to you, see I've lost my Sync Key.

  1. In the Menu bar at the top of the screen, click Firefox and select Settings (select Preferences on older macOS versions).Click the menu button Fx89menuButton and select Settings.
  2. Select the Sync panel.
  3. Click Manage Account and then select My Sync Key.Find Sync KeyFind Sync Key - Win1

    sync_tab_sync_key-macff4
     A window displaying your Sync Key will open.
    Sync KeyFind Sync Key - Win2

    sync_key-macff4
    Tip: It's a good idea to print or save your Sync Key so that you can access your information when you are away from this computer.

Where can I find my Recovery Key?

The Sync KeyRecovery Key is used to encrypt your data before it's sent to the Mozilla servers. Think of it as a key that locks your information in a vault that only you can open. This means that neither Mozilla nor anyone else can read your information without having your Sync KeyRecovery Key to unlock it.

To find your Recovery Key, complete the following steps in Firefox on a computer that already has your Sync account set up. If you don't have any synced devices close to you, see I've lost my Recovery Key.

  1. In the Menu bar at the top of the screen, click Firefox and select Settings (select Preferences on older macOS versions).Click the menu button Fx89menuButton and select Settings.
  2. Select the Sync panel.
  3. Click Manage Account and then select My Recovery Key. A window displaying your Recovery Key will open.
    Tip: It's a good idea to print or save your Recovery Key so that you can access your information when you are away from this computer.

How do I generate a new Sync Key?

See Replace your Sync information for instructions on generating a new key and re-adding your devices.

How do I generate a new Recovery Key?

See Replace your Sync information for instructions on generating a new key and re-adding your devices.

Deleting your Sync account

Warning: This will delete all of your data and you will no longer be able to use Sync.
  1. Log in to https://account.services.mozilla.com.
  2. Click on Delete your account.
  3. Type your password.
  4. Click Delete My Account to confirm.