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sync from one computer to a second

  • 5 replies
  • 2 have this problem
  • 10 views
  • Last reply by cor-el

Ewokbobby
Ewokbobby
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I am trying to sync from my old laptop to my new one. Both have Firefox installed. I am trying to get all the details from the old to the new. I follow the steps and open up the sync on them both. When the boxes open on the old computer, it gives me codes, and when I open the sync on my new one it gives me different codes, which I can't replace or change. The old one uses Windows7 and the new one is Windows8. Both have the newest version of Firefox. What am I missing?

I am trying to sync from my old laptop to my new one. Both have Firefox installed. I am trying to get all the details from the old to the new. I follow the steps and open up the sync on them both. When the boxes open on the old computer, it gives me codes, and when I open the sync on my new one it gives me different codes, which I can't replace or change. The old one uses Windows7 and the new one is Windows8. Both have the newest version of Firefox. What am I missing?

All Replies (5)

Diego Victor
Diego Victor
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When you go to other computer did you click on Pair a Device on Sync menu?

cor-el
cor-el
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  • Top 10 Contributor
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You need to set up Sync on at least one desktop computer to be able to add other devices via the 12-character pairing code. 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 "Firefox > Set Up Sync..." or "Tools > Options > Sync > Set Up Firefox Sync"
  2. click "I Have an Account"

That brings you to the "Pair a Device" window that shows a 12-character code that you can enter on another device that has Sync set up.

If that isn't possible then click "I don't have the device with me" at the bottom to enter the account settings (email, password, sync key) manually.

You can find the sync account password and the sync (recovery) key in the password manager on computers where a sync account with a specific e-mail address has been set up.

  • Firefox/Tools > Options/Preferences > Security: Passwords: "Saved Passwords" > "Show Passwords"

Look for:

  • chrome://weave (Mozilla Services Password)
  • chrome://weave (Mozilla Services Encryption Passphrase)
Ewokbobby
Ewokbobby Question owner
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Thanks for the help so far. I have done as you've both suggested and I've been taken to another pop-up that is asking for a Recovery Key. I followed the instructions there (Firefox>Options>Sync) but i don't get the Manage Account option so I can't select "My Recovery Key". What am I doing wrong or what have I missed?

Diego Victor
Diego Victor
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See:

cor-el
cor-el
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Is Sync set up on at least one computer (device)?

  • If Sync hasn't been set up then you have a "Set Up Sync" entry in the Firefox menu and in the Tools menu
  • If Sync has been set up and is working then that entry changes to "Sync Now"