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How can I recover my previously synced data?

  • 3 replies
  • 34 have this problem
  • 3 views
  • Last reply by Ed

lostMySync
lostMySync
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I made my services account yesterday on Windows, to prepare to move to Linux (first time). I synced all my data (I waited until sync is done), I closed FF and said goodbye to windows. After I installed Linux I wanted to restore my data from services on Firefox (all bookmarks, passwords, plugins, history), but FF was unable to download anything. It said that sync is finished but none of the bookmarks or passwords were downloaded. Is there any history of syncs where I could recover my old profile?

I made my services account yesterday on Windows, to prepare to move to Linux (first time). I synced all my data (I waited until sync is done), I closed FF and said goodbye to windows. After I installed Linux I wanted to restore my data from services on Firefox (all bookmarks, passwords, plugins, history), but FF was unable to download anything. It said that sync is finished but none of the bookmarks or passwords were downloaded. Is there any history of syncs where I could recover my old profile?

All Replies (3)

Ed
Ed
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Hello,

Firefox Sync is not a backup or migration service. It is only for synchronising browser data between two or more devices running Firefox at the same time. If you sync your data to Firefox Sync and then wipe your machine then there is a chance that you will not be able to recover your data.

If you are moving from one machine (or OS) to another the best way to do it is by following the steps here: Back up and restore information in Firefox profiles.

Is your Windows installation gone completely?

If you can still boot into Windows then I suggest following the steps in the article above to backup your Profile. Copy the backup to your Linux machine and restore there.

If you cannot boot into Windows then there may be a problem. If you have your recovery key then you can use that to pull down the information from Sync and get it onto your new machine.

If you do not have your recovery key then I don't think it will be possible to restore your data using Firefox Sync.

You may be able to recover / undelete your profile folder or your automatic bookmark backups using one of the tools here.

I hope this helps.

Also see here for another similar question - https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/973460?esab=a&s=lost+sync+&r=4&as=s

Modified by Ed

lostMySync
lostMySync Question owner
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Cheers! I don't have Windows at all right now, all partitions were deleted, I saved the key, I'll try it in a moment.

Ed
Ed
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Ok great. If you have the key then you may be all right.

Let me know if you manage to recover the data. Good luck :)