Firefox can save usernames and passwords that you use to access online services, such as banking and email websites. If you share a computer with anyone, it is recommended that you use a primary password.

Multiple devices/profiles: Primary passwords are set locally and are not synced between profiles or devices. If you use more than one device or profile, those use separate primary passwords.

• For other privacy issues related to sharing a computer, see How do I share Firefox between people on a computer?

Important: After you have defined and set your primary password, you will be prompted to enter it once for each Firefox session, when Firefox needs access to your stored passwords. This also applies if you want to add, remove or show a password.

Create a Primary Password

By default, Firefox does not use primary passwords (formerly known as a master password) to protect stored credentials. To define a primary password:

1. Click the menu button to open the menu panel.
2. Click Logins and PasswordsPasswords.

3. Click the Firefox logins menu (three dots), then click OptionsPreferences.

   

   • The Firefox Settings Privacy & Security panel will open to the Logins and Passwords section.

   

4. Put a checkmark next to Use a Primary password to open the Change Primary Password dialog.
5. Enter your primary password. The Password quality meter will indicate the difficulty of guessing your defined password. To create a quality password, your primary password should include the following:
   • At least one capital letter.
   • One or more digits.
   • At least one non-alphanumeric character, such as: @ # $ % ^ & * ( ).
   • You should also make sure to define your password in a way which is easy for you to remember, but difficult to guess for others. By doing so, you ensure that you, and only you, will be able to retrieve this secure information. For more information on choosing passwords, see Create secure passwords to keep your identity safe.
6. Enter the password a second time to confirm that you have entered it consistently.

   

7. To set the primary password, click OK.
8. Close the Settings page. Any changes you've made will automatically be saved.

Remove the Primary Password

Should you decide you don't need your Primary Password anymore, you can delete it at any time:

1. Click the menu button to open the menu panel.
2. Click Logins and PasswordsPasswords.

3. Click the Firefox logins menu (three dots), then click OptionsPreferences.

   

   • The Firefox Settings Privacy & Security panel will open to the Logins and Passwords section.
4. Remove the checkmark next to Use a Primary Password.
5. Enter the current password to confirm your ownership of the account.
   • If you've forgotten your primary password, see Reset your Primary Password if you've forgotten it.
6. Click Remove.
7. Click OK in the dialog that appears to confirm its removal.
8. Close the Settings page. Any changes you've made will automatically be saved.

Change the Primary Password

You can also change your Primary Password at any time:

1. Click the menu button to open the menu panel.
2. Click Logins and PasswordsPasswords.

3. Click the Firefox logins menu (three dots), then click OptionsPreferences.

   

   • The Firefox Settings Privacy & Security panel will open to the Logins and Passwords section.
4. Click Change Primary Password.
5. Enter the current password to confirm your ownership of the account.
   • If you've forgotten your primary password, see Reset your Primary Password if you've forgotten it.
6. Enter the new primary password twice.
   • Leaving the two fields empty removes your primary password.
7. To accept the changed primary password, click OK.
8. Close the Settings page. Any changes you've made will automatically be saved.

Based on information from Master password (mozillaZine KB)