Recovery Key deleted
I just got a new device I want to log into. As I forgot my password i wanted to use the recovery key I created in 2019 to reset my password, but it´s just gone. I don´t know how this could happen or how I can reset my password without deleting all my important data. I hope you can help me.
All Replies (5)
You need to save/backup the recovery key in a safe place to be able to use it as a replacement for the password. Didn't you do this ?
Since you have to save something then you might as well save the password as that is smaller than the 32 bit recovery key.
Without knowing the password and recovery key, your only option is to reset the password what will reset all data stored on the Sync server.
- https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/ive-lost-my-firefox-sync-account-information
- https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/reset-your-firefox-account-password-recovery-keys
Note that Sync isn't designed to be used as a backup, but is merely meant to sync data between connected devices. Best is always to backup your personal data locally.
Hello cor-el, thank you for your quick response. I´m sorry I wasn´t clear what i meant. I have the recovery key written down in a text document, but there is none safed in firefox. I checked my email to make sure that I created a recovery key in December 2019, yet in my account settings it says I never set one.
Does that mean all the important data is also automatically stored locally? So if I reset my password it wouldn´t delete anything and it would upload those files again after?
Did you possibly changed the password since that time as that invalidates the recovery key. Since you appear to be able to check Firefox Account Settings, you can simply generate a new recovery key.
Yes, that could be a possibility. I newly set up my computer a while ago. Sadly I can only generate a new recovery key after entering my password again.
As you didn´t answer I would like ask again if important data is also automatically stored locally? So if I reset my password it would just sync all of my passwords and bookmarks again?
If you reset the password then your current personal data like logins and bookmarks will be uploaded to the Sync server. Without password or recovery key and no password reset is it not possible to regain access to old data stored on the Sync server.
There is only the Firefox profile folder where your personal data is stored. If you do not have a backup then this data is likely stored. Windows might have stored some data as part as a System Restore point if you haven't reinstalled Windows and have enabled this feature. If you have reinstalled Windows then Windows might have created a C:\Windows.old folder.