How do I control the direction of a synch, e.g. , when I synch, how do I control whether my laptop takes on my PC's bookmarks or my PC takes on my laptop's?
Firefox says that when you start the synch, it will "synch bookmarks across your devices." But in what direction? How do I control whether my laptop will take on my PC's bookmarks, or my PC will take on my laptop's bookmarks? And is there some way to change it? EG, after a few months of working at home, I go on a business trip. Before then, I'll want to update my laptop with my PC's bookmarks. During my business trip, I may add a few bookmarks. I want to update my PC's bookmarks with those new ones. If I synch, will it automatically update the new ones on my PC (i.e, update the PC's bookmark list) or will it wipe them off of my laptop (i.e., install the PC's bookmarks on my laptop).
Chosen solution
MGittler said
I suppose the question should really be, is the synch directional (i.e., it synchs all of your peripheral devices to whatever is on a master device) or is it time-based (i.e., it synchs all of your devices to whatever the latest update is, no matter which device the latest one is located on.)
There is no master / slave relationship with Sync. There is no directional control, either. And there is no "time-based" control.
The Sync server keeps track of each device and the time of the last connection to the Sync server; then the server determines which data each device is missing or needs to be removed, when previous data deletions were done from a device and then the deletion is mirrored as other devices connect to the Sync server.
Sync lacks user controls that other synchronization services typically have; and are limited to 3 controls.
- Sync user controls are limited to being Connected or not connected.
- The Synced Tabs button (which is hidden in the Customize palette until the user moves that button to a toolbar).
- The "Sync Settings" (data types / categories) in Options > Firefox Account.
The "extensive troubleshooting" as explained here: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1157664#answer-962372 - isn't all that accurate, it makes an incorrect assumption; namely "if the account password is reset the device who first signs in to Firefox Sync will have their info distributed to the other devices."
The problem with that users thought process is that changing the Firefox Account Password (FxA password) clears all Sync data from the Sync server, so of course the first device to use the new FxA would be the first to have that device's data populated to the Sync server. And thus to any other device that was "out of sync". But the existing data isn't deleted when changing the FxA password on any device; the first connection on all devices with the new FxA password would merely update any "out of sync" data.
Read this answer in context 👍 1All Replies (8)
Hi, maybe something in one of these :
- https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-do-i-set-sync-my-computer
- https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-do-i-choose-what-types-information-sync-firefox
- https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/firefox-sync-troubleshooting-and-tips
- https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/change-primary-email-address-firefox-accounts
- https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/view-synced-tabs-other-devices
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/ive-lost-my-firefox-sync-account-information
Note Sync does not replace :
Thanks but these instructions say what kinds of information will be synched, it doesn't say which will be the master vs slave, so to speak.
I wonder if Synch just updates all your devices with whatever the latest version is of what you want to synch, so that this problem of direction is obviated. EG, if you're updating bookmarks, maybe it will look at your PC and your laptop and update whichever has the oldest version of bookmarks with whatever has the newest version. My fear is that since you establish your Synch account on one device, it will take that one to be the "master" and update all the others as the "slaves," even if they are more up-to-date.
Hi, no there is a master. I just do not know for sure. Would think it would not be a phone. Maybe the 1st one you register and then have it upload am thinking. Though a change on one will initiate a change to all.
Also know that if you bookmarks are gone on one it will wipe the bookmarks on the other.
Is why I say backup also.
This person seems to think this way : https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1157664 https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1074312 2nd one is the way things will go.
I suppose the question should really be, is the synch directional (i.e., it synchs all of your peripheral devices to whatever is on a master device) or is it time-based (i.e., it synchs all of your devices to whatever the latest update is, no matter which device the latest one is located on.)
If you stay logged in all the time then it will Sync in the time period that it does that. As to what the time period is ...just seen logs so no idea of scheduled time periods it does it.
The 2nd description is what will happen as he is a Moderator and will know best. If says no Master then there will not be. But f you use your Desktop more than the laptop then it will seem the desktop is a master as it will have the most changes to it.
There are other options with these 2 searches : https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/search/?platform=windows&q=sync https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/search/?platform=windows&q=sync%20Bookmarks
Chosen Solution
MGittler said
I suppose the question should really be, is the synch directional (i.e., it synchs all of your peripheral devices to whatever is on a master device) or is it time-based (i.e., it synchs all of your devices to whatever the latest update is, no matter which device the latest one is located on.)
There is no master / slave relationship with Sync. There is no directional control, either. And there is no "time-based" control.
The Sync server keeps track of each device and the time of the last connection to the Sync server; then the server determines which data each device is missing or needs to be removed, when previous data deletions were done from a device and then the deletion is mirrored as other devices connect to the Sync server.
Sync lacks user controls that other synchronization services typically have; and are limited to 3 controls.
- Sync user controls are limited to being Connected or not connected.
- The Synced Tabs button (which is hidden in the Customize palette until the user moves that button to a toolbar).
- The "Sync Settings" (data types / categories) in Options > Firefox Account.
The "extensive troubleshooting" as explained here: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1157664#answer-962372 - isn't all that accurate, it makes an incorrect assumption; namely "if the account password is reset the device who first signs in to Firefox Sync will have their info distributed to the other devices."
The problem with that users thought process is that changing the Firefox Account Password (FxA password) clears all Sync data from the Sync server, so of course the first device to use the new FxA would be the first to have that device's data populated to the Sync server. And thus to any other device that was "out of sync". But the existing data isn't deleted when changing the FxA password on any device; the first connection on all devices with the new FxA password would merely update any "out of sync" data.
Thanks much for your help -- I think I'll try EverSynch, which seems a bit easier to understand.