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I upgraded my OS and can not import bookmarks

  • 5 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 2 views
  • Last reply by chasm

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I recently upgraded my OS from Windows to Xubuntu. Because I have a Firefox Sync account, I had assumed I would be able to import my bookmarks after the upgrade.

Unfortunately I did not pair any other devices to the account. I now can not sync as the original Windows OS is no more. Is there any way I can import my bookmarks? The recovery key method does not work. I can still log in to my sync account here: https://account.services.mozilla.com/ But this does not have an option to import bookmarks.

Any help would be gratefully received Thanks in advance Chasm

I recently upgraded my OS from Windows to Xubuntu. Because I have a Firefox Sync account, I had assumed I would be able to import my bookmarks after the upgrade. Unfortunately I did not pair any other devices to the account. I now can not sync as the original Windows OS is no more. Is there any way I can import my bookmarks? The recovery key method does not work. I can still log in to my sync account here: https://account.services.mozilla.com/ But this does not have an option to import bookmarks. Any help would be gratefully received Thanks in advance Chasm

All Replies (5)

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If you didn't backup the sync key from that previous setup then you can't use that sync account to retrieve data stored on the sync server.
Anyway, sync isn't meant to be used in that way as an online backup, but merely to share data between more than one computer (mobile device).
It is always best to backup your personal data locally.

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Thanks for the replies, I appreciate now that I have not used the sync service in the way that it was intended, i.e. the way that it works with chromium and other browsers. My bookmarks are still stored on the sync server, and I have the username and password. Is there any alternative way I can access those bookmarks now that the windows setup associated with that account is gone?

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Not without the sync (recovery) key.
The sync key is used locally to encrypt your data before it is send to the sync server and can't be accessed without that key.
So if you do not have the sync key then that data is lost.

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That is a shame. Oh well, perhaps this will serve as a cautionary tale if anyone else out there assumed Firefox backs up bookmarks to your account like other browsers. Thanks for your help.