Firefox sync doesn't automatically sync on exit.
This was a great feature of xmarks, and while I understand the two are not the same, it would be excellent if it could be set to sync automatically on exit if that's what I want.
All Replies (8)
Sorry, Firefox Sync isn't set up to sync upon exit. Sync connects shortly after starting Firefox.
Have you tried using Tools > Sync > Sync Now before exiting Firefox?
Nope, switched to Google Chrome which does sync on exit. Having to do that every time I close the browser is a bit ridiculous. If I am in a hurry and need a bookmark on my laptop from my desktop and forget to sync, this is an issue for me.
However I do appreciate your answer as I myself did check all of the settings and you've just confirmed what I already guessed.
For me, the Xmarks closure and Firefox Sync being nothing to compare to Xmarks means that since I've found a good and better solution with Google Chrome, that's the direction I'm going to have to go. Chrome seems to be faster and more efficient for me and it's sync issues have already been worked out. Sorry Firefox, but it looks like you've been outdone.
Yes! Make an option to sync on exit. It's frustrating not to see a page you've just bookmarked before exiting Firefox on another computer.
There are reasons why this is not the case. I'd recommend showing the Add-on Bar and customizing it to show the Sync icon. Then you can click it once when you want to sync… which can include when you're putting your machine to sleep (not quitting!), or just walking out the door with your phone (not quitting!).
If you really want sync-on-exit, there's some code here for an add-on that might help:
An option to automatically sync on loading/quitting seems an obvious oversight and can't be difficult to implement. I can see users migrating to other browsers if this issue is not addressed.
As I mentioned in this thread over a year ago, Firefox does connect to the Sync Server shortly after the user opens Firefox to look for changes in your Sync data that is not on the device you are using.
And as far as Firefox connecting to the Sync Server on shut down, what's the point in doing that and risk slowing down the closing of Firefox? Firefox updates your Sync data as you use Firefox - immediately after the data being Synced changes on the device you are using.