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.

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

Import passwords from an old version of Firefox

  • 8 respostas
  • 1 has this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by cor-el

more options

I need to import passwords from an old version of Firefox (3..0.5) into version 28.0. I have read the other threads, but they refer to signons.sqlite which I do not have, instead there is a signons3.txt (which does appear to contain valid details but with encrypted names/passwords. I do have a key3.db however. What would be the best way to import them, preferably without uninstalling V28, installing 3.0.5, porting the necessary files, then upgrading repeatedly until the signons.sqlite is created?

I need to import passwords from an old version of Firefox (3..0.5) into version 28.0. I have read the other threads, but they refer to signons.sqlite which I do not have, instead there is a signons3.txt (which does appear to contain valid details but with encrypted names/passwords. I do have a key3.db however. What would be the best way to import them, preferably without uninstalling V28, installing 3.0.5, porting the necessary files, then upgrading repeatedly until the signons.sqlite is created?

Chosen solution

hello Screwball, the change from signons3.txt to the .sqlite database has first taken place between versions 3.0.x and 3.5.x.

try to download a portable firefox version of 3.5 at http://sourceforge.net/projects/portableapps/files/Mozilla%20Firefox%2C%20P.E.%20Legacy/Mozilla%20Firefox%2C%20Portable%20Edition%203.5.8/ and then extract its contents into a folder. when you look into the folder there should be a subfolder named "data" - in there manually create another folder named "profile" and put the old signons3.txt and key3.db into that profile-folder. then launch the old portable app once and see if this will convert the signons3.txt file into the sqlite format that you can import (together with key3.db) into your current profile of the installed firefox ...

Ler a resposta no contexto 👍 1

All Replies (8)

more options

Chosen Solution

hello Screwball, the change from signons3.txt to the .sqlite database has first taken place between versions 3.0.x and 3.5.x.

try to download a portable firefox version of 3.5 at http://sourceforge.net/projects/portableapps/files/Mozilla%20Firefox%2C%20P.E.%20Legacy/Mozilla%20Firefox%2C%20Portable%20Edition%203.5.8/ and then extract its contents into a folder. when you look into the folder there should be a subfolder named "data" - in there manually create another folder named "profile" and put the old signons3.txt and key3.db into that profile-folder. then launch the old portable app once and see if this will convert the signons3.txt file into the sqlite format that you can import (together with key3.db) into your current profile of the installed firefox ...

more options

Thank you for the suggestion, I will try that and let you know how I get on.

more options

Just install new version of the firefox the import process of bookmarks + passwords will be carried automatically.

more options

@philipp. Worked perfectly. Thanks for the tip :)

more options

you're very welcome :))

more options

Note that you should still be able to do this by placing the two files signons.sqlite and key3.db in the profile folder in the current Firefox 24.4.0 ESR release as that still has the signons prefs (the current release doesn't have them anymore).

Firefox 24.4.0 ESR:

more options

I have Portable Firefox v. 30 but I still have key3.db instead of key4.db and cert8.db instead of cert9.db. They weren't converted automatically and I can't find a way (or that certutil) to convert them myself. I really can't compile it as suggested in https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/687296?fpa=1.

more options

Current Firefox versions still use signons.sqlite and key3.db to store the names and passwords and cert8.db for the certificates. Firefox 32 and later will use logins.json instead of signons.sqlite. Firefox desktop version have never used key4.db andcert9.db (maybe used by mobile devices).