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Why can't I log in to my sync account without entering a Recovery key?

  • 14 replies
  • 3 have this problem
  • 31 views
  • Last reply by tdc720

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Yeah, why? I just want to log in to my account so I can pair a device and re-sync, but it won't allow me to log in without a Recovery key - it's stupid. Can you maybe delete my current Sync account so I could re-register it?

Yeah, why? I just want to log in to my account so I can pair a device and re-sync, but it won't allow me to log in without a Recovery key - it's stupid. Can you maybe delete my current Sync account so I could re-register it?

All Replies (14)

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If you currently have a sync account you can regenerate your recovery key. This will delete all data currently in your sync account, but will give you a new recovery key so you can re-sync.

Sync uses a recovery key that is only known to you to protect your data as best as possible. Nobody else, not even Mozilla, can access your Sync account without the recovery key. This is why you should print it out and keep it very hidden.

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Yes, but I can't do any of that if I can't log in, can I? Which means my account is completely useless. Surely, my account must be possible to remove.

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You should be able to reset your password then regenerate your sync key, does that not work?

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No, it didn't, I deleted the account.

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The recovery key system it's totally idiotic!! If Mozilla can't guarantee my account safety and need a recovery key, why should i trust this feature at all? If you are traveling and need to use your bookmarks in another device, it's impossible!!!! Why the hell i need my data stored in the cloud if i can't remotely access????????????????????

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the recovery key is necessary because if you give users a free choice of which password to set, you most commonly end up with a result like "1234" or "password". you wouldn't want that as the only hurdle of accessing a users whole on-line life (passwords & history!) from the cloud...

but there are changes to sync coming anyway, in the future accounts will be tied to and authenticated by the persona system: persona.org

Modified by philipp

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The reason you have a recovery key is to unlock the encryption, keeping your data safe and secure. If you are traveling, simply keep the key in your pocket if you need to set up sync alot without another device.

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See also [/questions/969528]

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I can't generate a recovery key. The guide tells me to go to my sync tab and click on manager. THERE IS NO Manager there is only pair a device or setup firefox sync

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Hi creeem

Did you ever set up a Sync account?

Only if you have set up a Sync account before and hopefully made a backup copy of the Sync (recovery) key then you will be able to access this existing Sync account.

Otherwise you need to set up a new Sync account or possibly click "I don't have the device with me" at the bottom to enter the account settings (email, password, sync key).

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Yes I set it up before but never paired a device. You click on setup sync first in the device rather than pair device or vice versa

Anyways this entire this is not very intuitive I wonder why developer left that entire sync tab blank with so much of space and not bothering to add some guide there. There is "click here to find out how" in the other windows but you can read the links until you close that window. Its so frustrating.

Anyways I setup sync and paired my device and guess what...just like thousands others who have complained here Its not syncing with my device. Firefox just sucks man. I guess I have to migrate to chrome its a huge task but will have to do it. Did I mention How firefox actually slows down my system and I get "script not responding errors"(even in safe mode). It is just turning into one big mess. I think firefox is giving open source a bad name now. This is not new just like me I am sure many others and "stuck" with firefox only because of all data associated with it and also the fact that Chrome is not perfect either. So its like siding with the "known devil" than with "unknown angel"

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Deleted

Modified by tdc720

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Deleted

Modified by tdc720