Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

new upgrade lost my passwords

  • 4 replies
  • 0 have this problem
  • 3 views
  • Last reply by cor-el

more options

I upgraded Unbuntu and it did not import my passwords.

I upgraded Unbuntu and it did not import my passwords.

All Replies (4)

more options

Did you use Sync?

Try a version from Mozilla, sign into sync if you used it and see if you data is there. https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/all/#product-desktop-esr

more options

Ubuntu may have switched to the Snap version and that version uses a different location for the profile. You can find the current location on the about:support page.

  • ~/snap/firefox/common/.mozilla/firefox/

Your older profile might be under the hidden ~/.mozilla/firefox location.


You can copy certain files with Firefox closed to the current profile folder to transfer or recover personal data. Note that best is to avoid copying a full profile folder.


  • bookmarks and history: places.sqlite
  • favicons: favicons.sqlite
  • bookmark backups: compressed .jsonlz4 JSON backups in the bookmarkbackups folder
  • cookies.sqlite for the Cookies
  • formhistory.sqlite for saved autocomplete Form Data
  • logins.json (encrypted logins;32+) and key4.db (decryption key;58+) for Passwords saved in the Password Manager
    key3.db support ended in 73+; to use key3.db in 58-72, make sure to remove key4.db
  • cert9.db (58+) for (intermediate) certificates stored in the Certificate Manager
  • persdict.dat for words added to the spell checker dictionary
  • permissions.sqlite for Permissions and possibly content-prefs.sqlite for other website specific data (Site Preferences)
  • sessionstore.jsonlz4 for open tabs and pinned tabs (see also the sessionstore-backups folder)
more options

I am not that up on using the terminal and the instructions didn't help me at all.

more options

Are you using the Snap version ?

You should be able to see this on the "Help -> More Troubleshooting Information" (about:support) page.