how to find my recovery key
Im trying to sync my desktop with a new laptop. Have followed instructions and entered 12 digits where requested having signed up for an account in advance.
After adding the 12 digits neither of them shows any sign of syncing. the next page asks for account details plus a Recovery Key. I've not found a Recovery Key and have spent some time looking at Support pages. The Sync tab on both shows pairing and syncing click-ons only - no manage account etc as indicated in support info.
be very grateful for somebody to talk me through this in a simple way. Many thanks in advance
Mafitar da aka zaɓa
Did you ever set up and used Sync in the past on a computer?
If you have never used Sync then you will first have to set up Sync on one of the computers.
If you have used Sync then you need the email address used to set up that Sync account and the password and the Sync key to access this account.
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.
- open "Tools > Options > Sync" or "Firefox > Set Up Sync"
- click "Set Up Firefox Sync" to go to "Firefox Sync Setup"
- click "I Have an Account" : Connect
- click "I don't have the device with me" at the bottom to enter the account settings (email, password, sync key)
All Replies (11)
See this support article - Where can I find my Recovery Key?
You can only use the 12-character code to pair a device.
You need to enter this code on a computer that already has Sync setup and running.
If you have set up Sync yet on either computer then you first need to do this on at least one (desktop) computer.
- https://support.mozilla.org/kb/how-do-i-set-up-firefox-sync
- https://support.mozilla.org/kb/add-a-device-to-firefox-sync
The problem I seem to have is that in the Sync Tab in options only gives me the option to 'Set up Firefox Sync' or 'Pair a Device'. I have set up an account, but when I'm asked to sign in on the device I set account up I'm asked for Recovery Key. I still can't get to that as Sync Tab in options on laptop also just has those options. I can't even see how I could deactivate to start again as there is no alternative in Tab box.
I am a luddite - there's probably a simple explanation that I just can't folllow. More help/guidance would be most appreciated
Thanks
Zaɓi Mafita
Did you ever set up and used Sync in the past on a computer?
If you have never used Sync then you will first have to set up Sync on one of the computers.
If you have used Sync then you need the email address used to set up that Sync account and the password and the Sync key to access this account.
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.
- open "Tools > Options > Sync" or "Firefox > Set Up Sync"
- click "Set Up Firefox Sync" to go to "Firefox Sync Setup"
- click "I Have an Account" : Connect
- click "I don't have the device with me" at the bottom to enter the account settings (email, password, sync key)
When I try to enter my email address it comes up as being incorrect yet that's the only email address I have so can't proceed with it.
Am thinking of uninstalling from my laptop as seems to just be something that I can't manage to set up.
But thanks for your help
You can ignore the message that the email is incorrect. This message should disappear once you have entered the full email address (user@domain.com).
No it doesn't disappear. I had confirmed my email via the link that was sent to me so I really can't understand ehy the system isn't recognising it now. I don't really want to set up a secondary account as I'm assuming the passwords I have are associated with this email address I've had for years. I'm really frustrated by this. It seems very strange.
Can you access the Sync account here?
- https://services.mozilla.com/ Firefox Sync » Home
- https://account.services.mozilla.com/
cor-el. Thanks so much for your help. This worked. Can't admit to understanding why but just extremely happy I can link my work up now.
Thanks Again
Support dude did you READ the question before providing a reply? (1) The question guy is telling you that in the sync procedure your help to find the recovery key is wrong: there is no such "manage account" option, so what's the way out? (2) He's telling you he has no recovery key, so what's the point to tell him to enter it? This has been going on for ages and there are 1000 posts about recovery key, don't you think you have a problem? Exactly how many do you need to fix it? 10'000? 100'000? Stop crying about Microsoft and do something about it once for all instead of exasperating countless well-intended users.
First of all, all sync users: You HAVE to turn off "clear history" or at least "Clear password" in Options before you set up sync! Otherwise it will not work, or will work only til you close the browser or restart the computer or something .
Secondly, FIREFOX/ MOZILLA PEOPLE: Your instructions are just plain WRONG. Someone needs to delete all the WRONG info and put only the new info. Right from the start you say things like "go to the firefox icon in the top of the browser" and this does not even exist! Jheez!
Secondly, the Manage Sync option and Recovery Key option sometimes is not there. I ran into this, it was not there; then later it was there. I think maybe you have to be signed in first? Not sure. All I know is that I was following your instructions - or trying to - and it just put me into a wild goose chase, going back and forth between my lap top and desktop and neither would allow me to sync the other.
Finally I muddled through and got it set up, but really, MOZILLA peeps - how about writing a brand new ACCURATE "how to" and putting it at the top of every thread about Sync?