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Sync with Sync server from single device

  • 2 replies
  • 10 have this problem
  • 13 views
  • Last reply by fredriley

fredriley
fredriley
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Hi

This has to be a FAQ, but I can't find it, so here goes. How can I get sync data from the Mozilla Sync server to just one device?

The context is that I'm currently running Ubuntu Linux from USB on my home computer, because the boot record on that computer has been corrupted so I can't access Windows. I would like to download the sync data (bookmarks, passwords) from the server to the Linux copy of Firefox 25. However, all the help I can see refers to pairing devices. I see that I can create a recovery key if I don't have the device with me, but there's a dire warning in the FF Sync dialogue that resetting the key will erase all Sync data. I don't have access to another machine to pair, as I work at home. I've looked at the "How do I manage my Firefox Sync account" page (https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-do-i-manage-my-firefox-sync-account) and have tried to follow the instructions, but again I come to a dialogue with the dire warning, and I really do not want to risk losing all my sync data on the server.

So, is it possible to Sync between one machine and the Sync server?

Fred www.fredriley.org.uk

Hi This has to be a FAQ, but I can't find it, so here goes. How can I get sync data from the Mozilla Sync server to just one device? The context is that I'm currently running Ubuntu Linux from USB on my home computer, because the boot record on that computer has been corrupted so I can't access Windows. I would like to download the sync data (bookmarks, passwords) from the server to the Linux copy of Firefox 25. However, all the help I can see refers to pairing devices. I see that I can create a recovery key if I don't have the device with me, but there's a dire warning in the FF Sync dialogue that resetting the key will erase all Sync data. I don't have access to another machine to pair, as I work at home. I've looked at the "How do I manage my Firefox Sync account" page (https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-do-i-manage-my-firefox-sync-account) and have tried to follow the instructions, but again I come to a dialogue with the dire warning, and I really do not want to risk losing all my sync data on the server. So, is it possible to Sync between one machine and the Sync server? Fred www.fredriley.org.uk

Modified by fredriley

Chosen solution

hello fred, you can only connect a single device to your existing sync account when you have the username, password & existing recovery key available - you can do so in preferences > sync > setup sync > i have an account > i don't have the device with me. so you'd need to know the current recovery - don't reset it as it will delete all the current data on the server as it is noted in the warning messages.

another way to import your old data would be if you still have access to the file system of your windows machine. you could then import certain files from your old windows profile into your current profile folder in order to restore some data like bookmarks, paswords, history, etc.: Recovering important data from an old profile

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philipp
philipp
  • Moderator
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Chosen Solution

hello fred, you can only connect a single device to your existing sync account when you have the username, password & existing recovery key available - you can do so in preferences > sync > setup sync > i have an account > i don't have the device with me. so you'd need to know the current recovery - don't reset it as it will delete all the current data on the server as it is noted in the warning messages.

another way to import your old data would be if you still have access to the file system of your windows machine. you could then import certain files from your old windows profile into your current profile folder in order to restore some data like bookmarks, paswords, history, etc.: Recovering important data from an old profile

fredriley
fredriley Question owner
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Thanks, Philip, that was very useful. I've imported the most crucial data from the Windows profile (the HD is ok, just the boot record damaged) - key3.db, places.sqlite and signons.sqlite - and that's done the trick. I'll also save the current recovery key in a safe place in case I have to restore the sync data.