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Old Firefox Data does not import

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Had to refresh Firefox after a multiple number of tab crashes, all my info went into a Old Firefox Data folder. I have followed the steps to import the whole fire back into the new profile but it is not working. I have followed the steps listed here : https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1212433

and also here:

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1270211

to no avail. the only thing that managed to transfer over was some bookmarks, but not all of them and it did not bring them to my toolbar either. my bookmarks are whatever but i really need my saved logins/passwords back. Any help is appreciated, thanks in advance.

Had to refresh Firefox after a multiple number of tab crashes, all my info went into a Old Firefox Data folder. I have followed the steps to import the whole fire back into the new profile but it is not working. I have followed the steps listed here : https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1212433 and also here: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1270211 to no avail. the only thing that managed to transfer over was some bookmarks, but not all of them and it did not bring them to my toolbar either. my bookmarks are whatever but i really need my saved logins/passwords back. Any help is appreciated, thanks in advance.

All Replies (8)

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For a whole folder method, see: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1307435#answer-1356183

Or, for specific data:

(A) Bookmarks

You can use the Restore menu, "Choose File...", and point Firefox to the latest file in the bookmarkbackups folder in your Old Firefox Data.

More about the Restore function: Restore bookmarks from backup or move them to another computer

(B) Saved Logins

To transfer logins, you need both of these files:

  • logins.json
  • key4.db

In order to replace the newer files, you need to fully exit Firefox (trying to replace them while Firefox is still running can cause problems).

More info: Recovering important data from an old profile

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Note that the current Firefox releases also keeps a backup copy named logins-backup.json of the last logins.json file that worked.

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jscher2000 said

For a whole folder method, see: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1307435#answer-1356183 Or, for specific data: (A) Bookmarks You can use the Restore menu, "Choose File...", and point Firefox to the latest file in the bookmarkbackups folder in your Old Firefox Data. More about the Restore function: Restore bookmarks from backup or move them to another computer (B) Saved Logins To transfer logins, you need both of these files:
  • logins.json
  • key4.db
In order to replace the newer files, you need to fully exit Firefox (trying to replace them while Firefox is still running can cause problems). More info: Recovering important data from an old profile

i have tried the first option, did not work for me at all

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@jscher2000 i have tried those options, did not work

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You can try again with a new profile and this only transfer selected files and possibly check whether it still is working in case there are corrupted files.

See "Creating a profile":

If the new profile works then you can transfer files from a previously used profile to the new profile, but be cautious not to copy corrupted files to avoid carrying over problems.


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)
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cor-el said

You can try again with a new profile and this only transfer selected files and possibly check whether it still is working in case there are corrupted files. See "Creating a profile": If the new profile works then you can transfer files from a previously used profile to the new profile, but be cautious not to copy corrupted files to avoid carrying over problems.

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)

thanks for the help, i got the bookmarks toolbar to import, but the passwords and logins seemed to have not. i followed the steps here " (2) Configure Firefox to use the old profile

Make a note of the text after the dot on the profile folder. In this example, it's default-release. You need the new profile name to match the old one in order for Firefox to regain use of your extensions and their data.

Inside Firefox, type or paste about:profiles in the address bar and press Enter/Return to load it.

   Click the "Create a New Profile" button, then click Next.
   Assign the old profile name default-release (or whatever yours is) and Firefox should show a proposed folder name with a new random part.
   Click the "Choose Folder..." button and select the old profile folder you copy/pasted so that Firefox picks up the full old name.
   Back in Firefox, click the Done button."

from an other post listed above. all the listed file names above are in the file so unsure why passwords did not import over too

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You can drag and drop the logins.json file you are trying to restore into a Firefox tab. After a few moments, Firefox should list out the file contents showing all the sites that have saved logins in the files. (The actual passwords are encrypted and unreadable, of course.) Does the file list the sites you expected?

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What Firefox version last used this profile if you check compatibility.ini in that profile in a text editor ?