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Firefox does not remember history in Mac OS 11.1

  • 3 replies
  • 1 has this problem
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  • Last reply by cor-el

randazzma
randazzma
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Hi:

I bought a new MBA and selected Firefox as my browser. I was able to migrate my data BUT Firefox no longer remembers ANY history - even though I've check a number of times about keeping the history (which it did in my previous O.S.).

Makes me wonder if my version of Firefox - 86.0 - is hacked? Is this possible?

Really weird that the browser doesn't seem to remember anything (unless there's a preference somewhere I've missed...!)

Michael

Hi: I bought a new MBA and selected Firefox as my browser. I was able to migrate my data BUT Firefox no longer remembers ANY history - even though I've check a number of times about keeping the history (which it did in my previous O.S.). Makes me wonder if my version of Firefox - 86.0 - is hacked? Is this possible? Really weird that the browser doesn't seem to remember anything (unless there's a preference somewhere I've missed...!) Michael

All Replies (3)

cor-el
cor-el
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Quote: I was able to migrate my data

Did you transfer a full profile folder or only selected files ?

If you transferred a full profile then best is to create a new profile and only copy selected files as transferring a full profile can cause issues.

You can copy certain files with Firefox closed to the current profile folder to transfer or recover personal data. Note that best is to avoid copying a full profile folder.

  • bookmarks and history: places.sqlite
  • favicons: favicons.sqlite
  • bookmark backups: compressed .jsonlz4 JSON backups in the bookmarkbackups folder
  • cookies.sqlite for the Cookies
  • formhistory.sqlite for saved autocomplete Form Data
  • logins.json (encrypted logins;32+) and key4.db (decryption key;58+) for Passwords saved in the Password Manager
    key3.db support ended in 73+; to use key3.db in 58-72, make sure to remove key4.db
  • cert9.db (58+) for (intermediate) certificates stored in the Certificate Manager
  • persdict.dat for words added to the spell checker dictionary
  • permissions.sqlite for Permissions and possibly content-prefs.sqlite for other website specific data (Site Preferences)
  • sessionstore.jsonlz4 for open tabs and pinned tabs (see also the sessionstore-backups folder)

You can use the button on the "Help -> Troubleshooting Information" (about:support) page to go to the current Firefox profile folder or use the about:profiles page.

randazzma
randazzma Question owner
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Hi: I'm talking about current history - as in I type in a URL and Firefox doesn't remember that I visited it at all

cor-el
cor-el
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If you use Sync then best is to disconnect Sync temporarily during troubleshooting.

This can be caused by a problem with the places.sqlite and favicons.sqlite databases in the Firefox profile folder.

  • use "Verify Integrity" button on the "Help -> Troubleshooting Information" (about:support) page

If errors are reported with "Verify Integrity", close and restart Firefox or reboot and retry.

If "Verify Integrity" cannot repair places.sqlite, rename/remove all places.sqlite and favicons.sqlite files in the Firefox profile folder with Firefox closed. Firefox will rebuild places.sqlite and restore the bookmarks from a recent JSON backup in the bookmarkbackups folder.

  • keep a backup copy of places.sqlite in case a new places.sqlite database has to be created

You lose the history when a new places.sqlite is created.

See also:

You can use the button on the "Help -> Troubleshooting Information" (about:support) page to go to the current Firefox profile folder or use the about:profiles page.