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Firefox Account Sync not working, and wiping settings whenever I shut down

  • 3 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 3 views
  • Last reply by cor-el

arlinn315
arlinn315
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Hey y'all,

First, thanks for your attention. This has been driving me nuts over the last few weeks and if I can fix it I'd be very happy.

I switched to Firefox a few months ago and immediately set up the password manager and a bunch of bookmarks. Unfortunately, the next time I shut down my computer and restarted, Firefox said this browser was a new installation and had totally reset, with nothing saved.

This happened again a second time, so I set up a Firefox Account so I could have the settings saved to a profile rather than an installation.

Every time I restart the same thing happens: Firefox has a 'new installation' and none of my settings. The first time I logged in to my Firefox account to sync it, it worked. But I've just installed Catalina, previously using Mojave, and on that restart it happened again, but the Firefox account sync isn't doing anything. Now, every time I open up the browser, even if I haven't restarted the computer, it brings me to the same 'new installation' screen. When I log in to my Firefox account as prompted, none of my previous information syncs. Nothing happens at all after I get the "This Firefox is connected" screen.

I know the sync is at least somewhat connected because I can sync tabs from my phone to my computer.

Any ideas? I can re-do all of my passwords and bookmarks, but I don't want to bother if it isn't getting saved anywhere, or if I can't stop this factory reset whenever my computer shuts off.

I'm on a Macbook running Catalina 10.15 if that matters. Thanks!

Abby

Hey y'all, First, thanks for your attention. This has been driving me nuts over the last few weeks and if I can fix it I'd be very happy. I switched to Firefox a few months ago and immediately set up the password manager and a bunch of bookmarks. Unfortunately, the next time I shut down my computer and restarted, Firefox said this browser was a new installation and had totally reset, with nothing saved. This happened again a second time, so I set up a Firefox Account so I could have the settings saved to a profile rather than an installation. Every time I restart the same thing happens: Firefox has a 'new installation' and none of my settings. The first time I logged in to my Firefox account to sync it, it worked. But I've just installed Catalina, previously using Mojave, and on that restart it happened again, but the Firefox account sync isn't doing anything. Now, every time I open up the browser, even if I haven't restarted the computer, it brings me to the same 'new installation' screen. When I log in to my Firefox account as prompted, none of my previous information syncs. Nothing happens at all after I get the "This Firefox is connected" screen. I know the sync is at least somewhat connected because I can sync tabs from my phone to my computer. Any ideas? I can re-do all of my passwords and bookmarks, but I don't want to bother if it isn't getting saved anywhere, or if I can't stop this factory reset whenever my computer shuts off. I'm on a Macbook running Catalina 10.15 if that matters. Thanks! Abby

Chosen solution

One possible reason for this is if dragging the Firefox app from the DMG file into the Applications folder was not successful, or Firefox was launched from the DMG file rather than closing it and launching from the Applications folder. Could you double-check the steps in this article:

How to download and install Firefox on Mac

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All Replies (3)

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 25 Contributor
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Chosen Solution

One possible reason for this is if dragging the Firefox app from the DMG file into the Applications folder was not successful, or Firefox was launched from the DMG file rather than closing it and launching from the Applications folder. Could you double-check the steps in this article:

How to download and install Firefox on Mac

arlinn315
arlinn315 Question owner
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Yes! I think the reinstall changed the shortcut path. Opening it from the Applications folder restored my settings. Thanks so much!!

cor-el
cor-el
  • Moderator
  • Top 10 Contributor
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You may want to check for multiple used profiles that you have created over time because if this.

Firefox uses two locations for the Firefox profile folder, so make sure to look in the correct location. Location used for the main profile that keeps your personal data (Root Directory on about:profiles).

  • ~/Library/Application Support/Firefox/Profiles/<profile>

Location used for the disk cache and other temporary files (Local Directory on about:profiles).

  • ~/Library/Caches/Firefox/Profiles/<profile>

In Mac OS X v10.7 and later, the "~/Library" folder in the Home directory is a hidden folder.