How do I set up Firefox Sync?

Firefox Sync

When you set up Firefox Sync on your computer, all of your data and preferences (such as your bookmarks, history, passwords, open tabs and installed add-ons) gets stored securely on the Mozilla servers. Then you can connect other devices (a mobile phone for example) and they will be automatically synchronized, giving you access to all of your information no matter where you are. This article will walk you though setting up Firefox Sync for the first time.

Part 1: Set up Firefox Sync on a computer

1. At the top of the Firefox window, click the Firefox button (Tools menu in Windows XP) and select Set Up Sync. The Firefox Sync Setup window will open.
2. Click Create a New Account.
3. Fill in your account details:
   
   • Email address
   • Choose a password and enter it a second time to make sure you have it right.
   • Agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
   • Confirm that you're not a robot!
   • To change what information gets synced, click Sync Options. The default is to sync your add-ons, bookmarks, passwords, preferences, history and tabs.
   • Finally, click Next.
4. You will see a Setup Complete! message. Click Close to close the progress window and take you back to Firefox. Don't worry, your data will continue to be encrypted and uploaded in the background. Note: This first sync should happen quickly but may take more than 30 minutes depending on how much information needs to be synced.

Part 2: Get the easy setup code on another device

Get the code on an Android device

1. Tap the Set up Firefox Sync button on the Firefox Start page.

   
   
   
   
   

   Note: You can also access Sync through the main menu More > Settings > Sync, see Controls.

2. The code to add this device appears.

   

Get the code on another computer

Do these steps on the second computer that you are trying to add to Firefox Sync.

1. At the top of the Firefox window, click the Firefox button (Tools menu in Windows XP) and select Set Up Sync. The Firefox Sync Setup window will open.
2. Click I Have an Account.
3. The code to add this computer will be displayed.
   

Part 3: Connect your other device to your Sync account

Enter the setup code on your computer to connect your other device to your Sync account

1. Click the Home button (or type about:home in the location bar) to bring up the default Firefox home page.
2. At the bottom of the home page, click the Sync link to open the Sync settings window.

   

3. Then click the Pair a device link and the Firefox Sync Setup window will open.

   

4. Enter the twelve character code generated on your other device and click Next.

   
   Note: See Where can I find the code to add a device to Firefox Sync? for more information.

5. When the code is accepted you will see a Device Connected message and your device will immediately begin syncing. Click Finish to close the setup window.

What if I'm not near my computer?

Do these steps on the device that you are trying to add to Firefox Sync.
If you are trying to add a device to Firefox Sync and you are not near your computer so that you can enter the code, you can still get it done by entering your account information.

Connect an Android device

Do these steps in Firefox for mobile on your Android device.

1. Tap the Set up Firefox Sync button on the Firefox Start page.

   
   
   
   
   

   Note: You can also access Sync through the main menu More > Settings > Sync, see Controls.

2. Tap the "Advanced setup..." link.

   

3. Next, enter your Account Name (email address), Password, Recovery Key and tap Connect.

   

Connect another computer

Do these steps on the second computer that you are trying to add to Firefox Sync.

1. At the top of the Firefox window, click the Firefox button (Tools menu in Windows XP) and select Set Up Sync. The Firefox Sync Setup window will open.
2. Click I Have an Account.
3. Since you're not near the device with Sync already set up, click the I don't have the device with me link.
4. Sign in to your Sync account:
   • Enter your account email address
   • Enter your password
   • Enter your Recovery Key
   • Then click Next
5. You will see a Setup Complete screen. Click Finish to complete adding this device to your Sync account.