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Unable to launch Firefox profile from "/" directory in Ubuntu22

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OS - Ubuntu22 Firefox - Default firefox on ubuntu22 (Mozilla Firefox 103.0.1)

Use case - 1. Custom profile folder (named prof1) contains pref.js and chrome folder with custom css file. 2. prof1 is created in -> "/customData/profiles/prof1" 3. The folder "/customData" has full rwx permissions and is owned by $USER (not by root)

Output -> 1. When launching firefox mentioning the profile -> "$ firefox --profile /customData/profiles/prof1"

The browser does not load, but there is an error box saying Profile Missing Your Firefox profile cannot be loaded. It may be missing or inaccessible.


Questions -> 1. Is it possible to load firefox profile from root directory ? 2. If custom profile folder is created in "/home", then it is launching and working perfectly. How is this possible when the permissions and owner is same as the one in "/customData"

OS - Ubuntu22 Firefox - Default firefox on ubuntu22 (Mozilla Firefox 103.0.1) Use case - 1. Custom profile folder (named prof1) contains pref.js and chrome folder with custom css file. 2. prof1 is created in -> "/customData/profiles/prof1" 3. The folder "/customData" has full rwx permissions and is owned by $USER (not by root) Output -> 1. When launching firefox mentioning the profile -> "$ firefox --profile /customData/profiles/prof1" The browser does not load, but there is an error box saying Profile Missing Your Firefox profile cannot be loaded. It may be missing or inaccessible. Questions -> 1. Is it possible to load firefox profile from root directory ? 2. If custom profile folder is created in "/home", then it is launching and working perfectly. How is this possible when the permissions and owner is same as the one in "/customData"

Chosen solution

The Snap version has limited permissions and likely won't be able to access a profile folder outside your home folder. This version also creates its default profile in a different place (i.e. not in ~/.mozilla and ~/.cache/mozilla).

You will have to use Firefox from the Mozilla server.

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All Replies (4)

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Are using Firefox from the Mozilla server as other versions like from Snap might have restrictions on where to place the profile folder?

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I am using the default firefox which comes pre installed in ubuntu22. It is snap firefox.

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Chosen Solution

The Snap version has limited permissions and likely won't be able to access a profile folder outside your home folder. This version also creates its default profile in a different place (i.e. not in ~/.mozilla and ~/.cache/mozilla).

You will have to use Firefox from the Mozilla server.

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Thanks a lot, It solved the problem.

With firefox from Mozilla server, able to load profiles from / directory.