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Firefox saved passwords not functioning on new iMac.

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

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I have a new iMac (sonoma): I've migrated previous data to this machine and updated Firefox, but saved passwords are having problems. Some of my paid subscriptions are not letting me sign in, either through saved pws, or doing it manually. A few others seem to work okay. I've tried a few on Safari, where they work, so I suspect I have to change a setting in Firefox. But what? Any advice gratefully received.



/edit: moved thread from Firefox for iOS (for iPhone/iPad) to Firefox section as you have macOS

I have a new iMac (sonoma): I've migrated previous data to this machine and updated Firefox, but saved passwords are having problems. Some of my paid subscriptions are not letting me sign in, either through saved pws, or doing it manually. A few others seem to work okay. I've tried a few on Safari, where they work, so I suspect I have to change a setting in Firefox. But what? Any advice gratefully received. /edit: moved thread from Firefox for iOS (for iPhone/iPad) to Firefox section as you have <b>macOS</b>

Modified by James

All Replies (3)

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Did you copy logins.json and key4.db from the old device to the profile folder on the new device or did you use Sync or transfer them otherwise ? Do you see all logins in the Password Manager (about:logins) ?

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I transferred with an external hard drive and Time Machine. The passwords are there: they show up seamlessly in Safari. But not in Firefox. Turns out I can get what I need to function in Private mode, but not in regular mode.

I'll check the Firefox FAQ on data migration. Thanks for this, all.

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If you aren't able to login then there might be a problem with the cookies (stored in cookies.sqlite).

Clear the Cache and remove the Cookies for websites that cause problems via the "3-bar" Firefox menu button (Settings) or click the padlock icon (Clear cookies and site data) for the domain in the selected tab.

"Remove the Cookies" for websites that cause problems:

  • Settings -> Privacy & Security
    Cookies and Site Data: "Manage Data"

"Clear the Cache":

  • Settings -> Privacy & Security
    Cookies and Site Data -> Clear Data -> [X] Cached Web Content -> Clear

You can check for issues with Total Cookie Protection.


If clearing cookies doesn't help, it is possible that the cookies.sqlite file in the Firefox profile folder that stores the cookies got corrupted.