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How can I set up FF sync so I don't have to keep repeating the data entry of <Tools><Set up Sync> Account, Password, Sync Key every time?

  • 17 replies
  • 16 have this problem
  • 3 views
  • Last reply by cor-el

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On my PC with FF7 each time I exit FF and re-enter or reboot I have to go through the whole FF Sync Set up again: <Set Up Sync>, "I already have a user account", <connect> "I don't have the device with me" then cut + paste: "account", "Password", "Sync Key", <Next><Finish> In order to Sync with my iPad. What do I need to do to make the setup more permanent? Why does the data go lost?

On my PC with FF7 each time I exit FF and re-enter or reboot I have to go through the whole FF Sync Set up again: <Set Up Sync>, "I already have a user account", <connect> "I don't have the device with me" then cut + paste: "account", "Password", "Sync Key", <Next><Finish> In order to Sync with my iPad. What do I need to do to make the setup more permanent? Why does the data go lost?

All Replies (17)

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Are you saving Passwords?

Options > Security - Passwords = Remember passwords for sites

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Unfortunately 'Remember Passwords for Site' did not help as I logged on today and hit <Tools> only to find <Set up Sync> awaiting me once again.

Modified by Chris

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Hi!

You need to lower the privacy settings.

There's an option under Options -> Privacy -> Use Custom Settings for History.

Make sure that the Clear history when Firefox closes is unchecked, or if you want to keep it checked, click on Settings and uncheck "Saved passwords".

That feature wipes out all the passwords saved by the browser in a session, including the Sync one.

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Thank you for your response. "Clear History..." is unchecked already but the problem persists.

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Do you see the passwords for Sync in the Password Manager ?

  • Tools > Options > Security: Passwords: "Saved Passwords" > "Show Passwords"

Look for:

  • chrome://weave (Mozilla Services Password)
  • chrome://weave (Mozilla Services Encryption Passphrase)
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Sorry I couldn't reply to your first Help, Server wouldn't allow it, working now. I'm trying to use your method; but <Saved Passwords> sends me to an empty form box and, try as I might" I wasn't successful entering Search criteria (<enter> doesn't work). I do recall seeing a profile "chrome" from prev. search for "profile file as per your FF instructions ( very thorough). Maybe I don't understand. Maybe <Saved Passwords> is just empty 'cuz of some phenomenon that's erasing my Sync data?

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If you do not see any passwords in the Password manager then it is possible that there is a problem with the files key3.db and signons.sqlite that store the encrypted names and passwords in Firefox.

Rename the files key3.db and signons.sqlite in the Firefox profile folder.
You can add .old to the file names (key3.db.old and signons.sqlite.old) or move them to another folder to make it possible to undo the action.
You need to set a new Master Password after renaming or deleting key3.db and all currently saved passwords are lost.
If that has worked then you can remove the renamed files that are no longer needed.

See:

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I don't use a Master Password since I don't share my PC. Should I do so to make this work? I installed an <Open Profile Folder> add-on and found signons.sqlite and key.db. I couldn't open signons.sqlite (probably because it's encypted) and key.db (which I probably need to open sqlite) is database and warned me against trying. How do I proceed? Thank you.

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You can try to move the two files to another folder to see if that makes Firefox remember the password.

It is also possible (don't know about this) that Sync requires a MP to be used as a security precaution.

Can you save and keep other passwords like on this site?

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I have a Firefox password that's automatically entered and which I store on Roboform but never seem to need. I will try generating a Master Password for the Sync process. Next I'll try moving the two files to a new folder. Thank you very much. Is cor-el related to the family of Superman, they all ended their names in "-el"? Your Help is sure super.

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OK! I set a Master Password and now I can log out+ back in to FF without loosing Sync. I can also re-boot without loosing sync. I wasn't able to move the signons.sqlite nor key.db but guess I don't have to. Thanks very much for the direction, you're a great help.

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Oops! The next day my master password was gone and <Set up Sync> was required. Is this because I didn't move those files? If so, I need help with any specific commands needed to move them please.

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Which security software (firewall, anti-virus) do you have?

Does it have any virtualization features that may cause files to get removed after closing Firefox?

Are you using cleanup software like CCleaner otherwise?

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AVG and Malwarebytes. No virtualization that I know. AVG was attacking Malwarebytes for awhile 'till I wrote it in under exceptions. The cleanup tool I use is Click'n clean Add-on for cookies and history.

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The master password can only disappear if key3.db is replaced by an older copy that didn't have the MP.

You can make a backup copy of the files key3.db and signons.sqlite to see if they get replaced the next time that you start Firefox and do not have the MP.