This site will have limited functionality while we undergo maintenance to improve your experience. If an article doesn't solve your issue and you want to ask a question, we have our support community waiting to help you at @FirefoxSupport on Twitter and/r/firefox on Reddit.

Avatar for Username

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

This thread was archived. Please ask a new question if you need help.

Cannot see session cookies in Private Browsing mode - see only normal cookies.

  • 3 replies
  • 11 have this problem
  • 11 views
  • Last reply by tzdvl

tzdvl
tzdvl
more options

Using Firefox 19.0.2

Is there some way to allow Firefox to show ONLY the current session cookies while in private browsing mode, rather than a list of my normal cookies?

First of all, basic cookie handling appears to be working fine for me, in both normal mode and in private browsing: Cookies set during private browsing are deleted as expected when exiting Firefox or when toggling back to normal browsing.

HOWEVER...

I am unable to SEE the new cookies that are set during a private browsing session.


If I start Firefox normally, toggle to private browsing mode, and then go to Options> Show Cookies, the window opens showing a long list of my "normal" cookies.

Previously, the cookies window would appear to be EMPTY when starting a private browsing session. After browsing a while, and then rechecking the list I would see only the cookies set during that private browsing session.


NOW, during a private browsing session, when I recheck the cookies list I see only my normal cookies, and NONE of the new session cookies appear in that list (the same cookies are shown as before switching to private mode).

I have tried starting Firefox in Safe Mode, with no change in behavior. I have also tried disabling add-ons, with no change.

List of add-ons installed:

Adblock Plus 2.2.3 BetterPrivacy 1.6.8 Ghostery 2.9.3 Googlebar Lite 4.9.7 IE View 1.5.6 Microsoft .NET Framework Assistant 1.3.1 PrivacyChoice TrackerBlock 2.2 Status-4-Evar 2013.02.16.23 Bookmark Favicon Changer 1.74 (disabled) CheckPlaces 2.6.2 (disabled)


Suggestions?

Thanks!

Using Firefox 19.0.2 Is there some way to allow Firefox to show ONLY the current session cookies while in private browsing mode, rather than a list of my normal cookies? First of all, basic cookie handling appears to be working fine for me, in both normal mode and in private browsing: Cookies set during private browsing are deleted as expected when exiting Firefox or when toggling back to normal browsing. HOWEVER... I am unable to SEE the new cookies that are set during a private browsing session. If I start Firefox normally, toggle to private browsing mode, and then go to Options> Show Cookies, the window opens showing a long list of my "normal" cookies. Previously, the cookies window would appear to be EMPTY when starting a private browsing session. After browsing a while, and then rechecking the list I would see only the cookies set during that private browsing session. NOW, during a private browsing session, when I recheck the cookies list I see only my normal cookies, and NONE of the new session cookies appear in that list (the same cookies are shown as before switching to private mode). I have tried starting Firefox in Safe Mode, with no change in behavior. I have also tried disabling add-ons, with no change. List of add-ons installed: Adblock Plus 2.2.3 BetterPrivacy 1.6.8 Ghostery 2.9.3 Googlebar Lite 4.9.7 IE View 1.5.6 Microsoft .NET Framework Assistant 1.3.1 PrivacyChoice TrackerBlock 2.2 Status-4-Evar 2013.02.16.23 Bookmark Favicon Changer 1.74 (disabled) CheckPlaces 2.6.2 (disabled) Suggestions? Thanks!

Chosen solution

  • bug 823941 - Cannot see cookies stored in private window with using cookie viewer

(please do not comment in bug reports: https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/page.cgi?id=etiquette.html)

Read this answer in context 👍 1

All Replies (3)

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 25 Contributor
more options

Yes, this seems to be a change in Firefox 19, per this thread last updated on 2/27/2013: Just recently I've noticed that cookies from websites other than Google (e.g yahoo, etc) are not showing up in my privacy settings anymore. I was wondering why?

I haven't done any additional research since then on why the cookies are invisible, or whether there are any plans to change it back. Is this an important feature for you? (Probably, since you did a lot of research on it.)

cor-el
cor-el
  • Moderator
  • Top 10 Contributor
more options

Chosen Solution

  • bug 823941 - Cannot see cookies stored in private window with using cookie viewer

(please do not comment in bug reports: https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/page.cgi?id=etiquette.html)

tzdvl
tzdvl Question owner
more options

Thanks, jscher2000 and cor-el,

Interesting...

At least now I know the change was by design, and not a glitch in my 'Fox!

I was really just curious as to why I used to see only session cookies while in private mode and now don't see 'em.

Modified by tzdvl