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Setting up FF Sync AFTER clean linux install

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I had to do a linux clean install. In order to keep my FF settings, I used Sync (never got a recovery key), and am currently unable to retrieve my porevious settings.

I am only allowed to upload new ones, which is a pain.

If anyone knows how to force download the settings that would be awesome.

Thank you!

I had to do a linux clean install. In order to keep my FF settings, I used Sync (never got a recovery key), and am currently unable to retrieve my porevious settings. I am only allowed to upload new ones, which is a pain. If anyone knows how to force download the settings that would be awesome. Thank you!

All Replies (4)

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Sorry, without the Recovery Key (aka Sync Key) your data is useless. That Key is used for encryption of your data during transmission and while on the Sync server; no one except you "knows" what the key is, it isn't sent to Mozilla.

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Turns out I had a backup of my config stored. (phew).

Still, the sync feature has that major advantage of allowing you to avoid having to worry about it. Maybe adding an option to recover preferences but not passwords would be cool.

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Every bit of data used with Sync is encrypted, not just passwords. An option such as that would need a very complicated redesign of the whole Sync system.

Perhaps users shouldn't use Firefox Sync to be a "backup media" before a reformat?

Sync was designed to synchronize specific things to multiple devices, not for use as you tried to use it. But yes, it does work for that purpose if the user has the forethought to save not only the username and password for the Sync account, but also the Sync Key / Recovery Key.