You can't use pair a device if this is the only device you are using.

Both devices need to be online at the same time if you want to pair a device with the (3x4) 12-character code.

Sync needs to be set up and working on at least one (desktop) computer, so you can enter the 12-character code, provided by the device (computer) that you want to pair, in three fields to pair a device on the computer that has a working Sync setup.

Enter all details like the account name (email address) and password and the 26-character Sync key manually to connect to an existing sync account instead of using the 12-character code to pair a device if pairing isn't possible.

1. open "Tools > Options > Sync" or "Firefox > Set Up Sync"
2. click "Set Up Firefox Sync" to go to "Firefox Sync Setup"
3. click "I Have an Account" : Connect
4. click "I don't have the device with me" at the bottom to enter the account settings (email, password, sync key)

Check the Sync options when you have used Sync before and want to keep previously stored data on the Sync server.

• click the "Sync Options" button at the bottom to select what to sync (Sync Options only affect the first sync)

Select this choice if you want to restore data from the Sync server:

• "Replace all data on this device with my Sync data"

• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/how-do-i-set-up-firefox-sync
• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/add-a-device-to-firefox-sync
• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/how-do-i-manage-my-firefox-sync-account

• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/firefox-sync-troubleshooting-and-tips

I was under the impression I could back up my data to the server and then sync it to another computer. This should be better described in the Sync process. I went through a sync before my reformat, I got this key, I saved it. I assumed this was an alternative to using Import and backup. I was wrong. I tried using this restore key:

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I'm returning it; It is worthless to me. It contains 23 bookmarks which are multiple copies of the Firefox defaults, as well as my feelings of derision, desperation, contempt, and despair. Time to start over.

Are you saying that the using full Sync Key / Recovery Key process didn't work for you?

It is usually best to backup your personal profile data locally. Sync isn't meant and designed to be used as a backup, but merely to transfer data from one device to another to keep them in sync. This may change in future versions of sync.

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_backup
• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Backing+up+your+information

Yes. It didn't work.

In this version of Sync there's no indication when using it that it isn't a backup service. Transferring data from one device to another is exactly what I tried to do; Transferring from my computer to my newly reformatted computer, it's a fully new setup using the same hardware.

Adding a note somewhere that both machines have to be in use at the same time would have saved me a lot of heartache.