UPDATE The "problem" is known: users expect that Tabs will be synced across successive sessions made on ONE device (after ON/OFF); the Sync functionality is for syncing across multiple device, when all are ON. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1318417

BUT, indeed, it would be nice if the Sync pushes back all the synced Opened Tabs if the "target device session" is empty (has no Tab at all) !! And, again, why then does Bookmarks still sync perfectly across successive sessions made on ONE device (after ON/OFF) ??

IN THE MEANTIME (temporary solution?) is there a file which contains all the Opened Tabs, that i could back up somewhere?

Thanks

UPDATED: Tabs are synced, but the only options to see them on another device or version of Firefox is to view and send them. see screenshot

Also, would a live usb stick perform better than a spinning dvd???

Thanks for you help. I tried the following: 1.0 regarding your Send Tab To Device suggestion: 1.1 I selected all tabs 1.2 right-click => send to device "peppermint's Firefox on peppermint" (the only one) 1.3 synced again 1.4 Result: left panel 'Synced Tabs' still empty 1.5 I logged out from my Firefox account 1.6 restarted Firefox; it crashed (as it very often does - because of the 32bits version?); restarted it again; then Synced again. 1.7 => same RESULT: left panel 'Synced Tabs' still empty !!

2. about:config => changed 2 values (assuming the setup wil be backup from one session to the next): screenshot = https://imgur.com/Jw7qktrl.png (note that the browser.sessionstore.upgradeBackup.latestBuildID field was already in bold; I did not change anything) SAME as for 1.5 I logged out from my Firefox account 1.6 restarted Firefox; it crashed (as it very often does - because of the 32bits version?); restarted it again; then Synced again. 1.7 => same RESULT: left panel 'Synced Tabs' still empty !!

3. Then I checked that tip: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1371900 But I'm lost (a bit of a newbie here...): - the helping poster writes: "make sure to backup the current sessionstore.jsonlz4" But in the session-store folder, all I have is this (NO sessionstore.jsonlz4): screenshot https://imgur.com/wA6zxEPl.png So, I'm lost. Anyway, this solution seems much too complicated: the OP here, Arex86 is entirely right: Mozilla should make this Sync feature working for backup from one session to the next (see all the sh** he encountered... It is not acceptable; X-marks used to do that seamlessly, so should Firefox, I regret to say).

I could try a USB Live distro, indeed. Thanks for the suggestion. But by using a Live DVD, my goal is precisely to use a read-only device. Possible, a 64bits Live DVD could help, but i strongly doubt, as: that feature *used to* work perfectly, and still works for syncing Bookmarks.

[So, regarding Bookmarks, does all this mean that I should back up them? I just backed up the json file ( < manage bookmarks, etc) ]

Many thanks for you help, but alas, for me, the problem is not yet solved as long as Mozilla does not provide a serious, user-friendly and reliable solution to this "simple" use case.

Kind regards.

I can boot to a live usb, then open Firefox and log into my account. My bookmarks and add-ons will sync and then I could see my other devices browser tabs which I could then open. It sounds like you're under the impressions that the tabs will automagically populate my live usb sessions when I log into my account. Nope, I can just view the tabs from another device and then open them on my usb stick session.

Let me go try it now.

Also, the sessionstore.jsonlz4 file is visible when Firefox is closed.

Here's a screenshot of my usb live session.

You say: "the sessionstore.jsonlz4 file is visible when Firefox is closed." My sessionstore.jsonlz4 file is NOT visible when Firefox is closed: screenshot = https://imgur.com/CsB2RD1l.png WTF?

Many thanks for you help, but i sincerely think this is hopeless until Mozilla understands there is a real need for that feature, and implements it. Again, I will refer to that previous post: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1371900 (poster: arex86; i think he has the last word, really).

Thanks again for the help, really appreciate your motivation to help :-) Have a nice weekend Kind regards.

(BTW, which software did you use to produce that nice annotated screenshot, in your post upwards: 2/23/24, 12:28 PM "Here's a screenshot of my usb live session" ? I struggle to find equivalents in Linux (Gnome, preferably) Thanks. )

KDE Spectacle for screenshots https://apps.kde.org/spectacle/

You could consider using bookmarks to back up the tab list. Press Ctrl+Shift+D to create a new folder with bookmarks for each tab open in the current window. A dialog will prompt for a folder name and location in the Menu/Toolbar/Other category.

UPDATE, [please forgive my poor English] Many thanks for your support.

After a new session (after ON/OFF - see 1st post/Context): MY Synced Tabs ARE BACK !! (go figure...). I didn't change anything to what I'm used to do: https://imgur.com/waucRJtl.png

Nevertheless, it is the 1st time that I enjoy my Synced Tabs again, so too soon to click the Problem Solved button, sorry.

Did Mozilla took action those last days, regarding this issue? (yes, i contend that it IS/WAS an issue).

Thanks.

_______________________________

ADDITIONALLY,

1. (BTW, note that those values in the about:config, that I had changed from FALSE to TRUE both returned to FALSE despite the sync (maybe normal): browser.sessionstore.restore_pinned_tabs_on_demand => FALSE browser.sessionstore.resuming_after_os_restart => FALSE Screenshot: https://imgur.com/Pecz7b9l.png )

2.

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer said

You could consider using bookmarks to back up the tab list. Press Ctrl+Shift+D to create a new folder with bookmarks for each tab open in the current window.

Thanks. Not yet tried. (and hope it will not be necessary in the future...)

3. Support interface: FYI, while Previewing Reply, I clicked on an image link (uploaded on imgur.com). It did not opened a new tab. I saw the uploaded pic, the when I went back to the support page, all my text was gone... I had to type again. Frustrating.