Use: Android OS > Settings > Accounts > Firefox Sync > Pair a new Device

On the desktop computer:

1. open "Firefox > Set Up Sync..." or "Tools > Options > Sync > Set Up Firefox Sync"
2. click "I Have an Account"
3. click "Pair a device" to get a 12-character code that you can enter on the Android device

Thank you, did try this, (putting the 3 part number from the desktop device into the android mobile device) from the desktop to the android device, partially worked,

Got a message saying (even though I verified that the password was correct on all three devices) that (on the PC ) says

sync encountered an error while syncing, wrong recovery key, sync will auto retry (the preferences tab gives me three options unlink this device update, or reset. update says WRONG password reset does let me get in and change password, and I was once in this screen, and I think that is what got screwed up

If Sync was working on the Android devices then you should have been able to pair the desktop computer with the Android devices.
Note that both computers/devices need to be online to be able to pair a device.

If you have tried to set up Sync on the desktop computer and have reset the sync key then you won't be able to access that sync account via the Android devices unless you know the sync key or can otherwise unlink and set up sync again with the correct sync key.

• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/how-do-i-set-up-firefox-sync
• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/add-a-device-to-firefox-sync
• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/how-do-i-manage-my-firefox-sync-account
• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/ive-lost-my-firefox-sync-account-information

• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/firefox-sync-troubleshooting-and-tips

ok, 1 step at a time:

---> You said (a) I said

---> If Sync was working on the Android devices then you should have been able to pair the desktop computer with the Android devices.

(a) Sync seems to be working between my two android devices fine.

---> Note that both computers/devices need to be online to be able to pair a device.

(a) Yes, all three devices (desktop/phone/tablet are in front of me and online

---> If you have tried to set up Sync on the desktop computer and have reset the sync key

(a)  Yes, this is where I need the help starting from...

---> then you won't be able to access that sync account via the Android devices unless you know the sync key

(a) first problem : I tried to uninstall firefox, and reinstall it, and then unlink it from the initial menu... (so I did try the first part on your next sentence already) ---> or can otherwise unlink and set up sync again with the correct sync key.

(a) So now we get down to the heart of the matter.

I have a brand new desktop, and I can say 3 choices, unlink this device update, or reset.

 option 1) Unlink will let me try and sync.   it seems to work, but then stops and gives me a message saying "wrong recovery key"

option 2) asks me to input a corrected password. IT then (even though I know the password for the account because I logged into it from all three devices) says it is wrong.

Option 3 is where it will let me reset the recovery key.

Now, HOW do I get this NEW recovery key to be associated with my previous (android) accounts?

Is this question somewhat clearer now?

After further reviewing the attached links, I think that what I need to do is in this article, titled changing recovery key

So if this is correct, I will log in from my desktop, change the recovery key, and then ADD my android devices...

this is VERY convoluted, and NOT intuitive

I will let you (all) know if this works.

YES this worked fine, and I summarized it again in a post below, thanks for the input, and the pointers to that last section

If sync is still working on the Android devices then there is no need to generate a new Sync key and you shouldn't have a problem the pair the desktop computer with one of the Android devices via the 12-character pairing code. Using the 12-character pairing code shouldn't involve to enter a sync key as that data should be send from the Android where you enter this code to the desktop computer. That is why both devices need to be online at the same time. Note that the Sync code is a 26-character code and thus is a lot longer than the 12-character pairing code.

OK. To succinctly explain how I got this resolved, so future people can follow EASILY: Problem: Desktop died, no backup copy of recovery key. Android devices had all my active bookmarks that started on my desktop.

Unable to find easy, reliable, workable answer to question.

1. Numbered list item I verified I knew my password for my account . I then logged in on the desktop, and each of my android devices (in the browser) to verify I really knew the password ,
2. Did this on each device to make sure there were no errors
3. Then went here .

Part 1 - Reset your Firefox Sync account

This was the Crucial step in recovering my account: In STEP 4 it says: A new window will open displaying a Recovery Key - ignore that and click Generate a new key.

• • • THAT*** second part of the sentence is the KEY, ladies and Gentlemen... IGNIORE the key that is there, and generate a new one, then save it..

I continued steps 4 thru 6, an then part 2, re-sync to the android devices.

AND ALL WORKED fine for me.

So, to summarize: on desktop, recover, then change then SAVE a new recovery key then on android devices, add the code, so they sync.

And that, is how I got the bookmarks back off my android, and onto my new machine/.