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.

Avatar for Username

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

This thread was archived. Please ask a new question if you need help.

Why does Firefox asks for Master password on startup (for synchronizing) on desktop but not on the Android edition?

  • 2 replies
  • 2 have this problem
  • 10 views
  • Last reply by ringelkrat

ringelkrat
ringelkrat
more options

I use a Master password and Firefox Sync on an Android device (58.0.2) and a desktop (ESR 52.6.0). In both setups I have not selected to synchronize my passwords.

On every startup Firefox on Desktop asks for my Master password. As I read in the Mozilla knowledge base [1] and an answer in the Firefox support forum [2] this behavior is intentional as the login used for the Firefox Account is protected by the Master password. Although I find it annoying to deal with the Master password dialog on each startup I recognize the rationale.

It occurred to me that Firefox for Android does not ask for my Master password on every startup, but only in case a password may be entered in a web-site's form. Although Firefox Sync is activated and regularly successfully performed.

I actually have two questions:

A) Is the protection of the Firefox Account login on Firefox for Android less secure than with Firefox for Desktop (presumed a Master password is set in both cases)?

B) Is it possible to adjust the settings of Firefox for Android to behave as the Firefox for Desktop (regarding Firefox Account login protection) and/or vice-versa?

[1] https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/using-master-password-sync

[2] https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1039575#answer-672996

I use a Master password and Firefox Sync on an Android device (58.0.2) and a desktop (ESR 52.6.0). In both setups I have not selected to synchronize my passwords. On every startup Firefox on Desktop asks for my Master password. As I read in the Mozilla knowledge base [1] and an answer in the Firefox support forum [2] this behavior is intentional as the login used for the Firefox Account is protected by the Master password. Although I find it annoying to deal with the Master password dialog on each startup I recognize the rationale. It occurred to me that Firefox for Android does not ask for my Master password on every startup, but only in case a password may be entered in a web-site's form. Although Firefox Sync is activated and regularly successfully performed. I actually have two questions: A) Is the protection of the Firefox Account login on Firefox for Android less secure than with Firefox for Desktop (presumed a Master password is set in both cases)? B) Is it possible to adjust the settings of Firefox for Android to behave as the Firefox for Desktop (regarding Firefox Account login protection) and/or vice-versa? [1] https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/using-master-password-sync [2] https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1039575#answer-672996
Attached screenshots

Modified by ringelkrat

All Replies (2)

FredMcD
FredMcD
more options

It might be that one system is using the Master Password, but the other is not. Check both their settings.

ringelkrat
ringelkrat Question owner
more options

FredMcD said

It might be that one system is using the Master Password, but the other is not. Check both their settings.

I did double-check the settings and tested the behavior: Both setups ask for the Master password when I browse to a web-site where a password is saved for.

I added screen-shots of the about:config settings filtered to "password" to the original question. Maybe this gives some hint.