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How do I download Mozilla settings?

Published in Firefox Settings 3 mins read

Downloading your Mozilla Firefox settings depends on what you mean by "settings." Generally, you'd be backing them up or transferring them to another profile or device. There isn't a single "download" button. Here's a breakdown of common scenarios and how to handle them:

Scenario 1: Backing Up Your Profile (Including Settings)

This is the most comprehensive approach, as it backs up everything, including your settings, bookmarks, history, extensions, and more.

  1. Locate your Firefox Profile Folder:

    • In Firefox, type about:profiles in the address bar and press Enter.
    • You'll see a list of profiles. Find the profile you want to back up (usually the one marked "This is the profile in use and it cannot be deleted").
    • Under that profile, find the "Root Directory" and click "Open Folder." This will open the profile folder in your file explorer.
  2. Copy the Profile Folder:

    • Close Firefox completely.
    • Go back to the folder containing your profile folder.
    • Copy the entire profile folder (e.g., xxxxxxxx.default-release).
    • Paste it to a safe location on your computer, an external drive, or a cloud storage service. This is your backup.

Scenario 2: Transferring Settings to a New Device/Profile using Firefox Sync

Firefox Sync is a built-in feature that allows you to synchronize your settings, bookmarks, history, passwords, and add-ons across multiple devices.

  1. Enable Sync on Your Old Device/Profile:

    • Click the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner of Firefox.
    • Click "Sign in to Sync."
    • If you don't have a Firefox Account, create one. If you do, sign in.
    • Choose what you want to sync (bookmarks, history, passwords, preferences, add-ons, etc.).
  2. Enable Sync on Your New Device/Profile:

    • Install Firefox on the new device (if applicable).
    • Follow the same steps as above to sign in to your Firefox Account.
    • Firefox will automatically download and sync your settings.

Scenario 3: Exporting Specific Settings (Limited Options)

Firefox doesn't offer a way to export all settings individually. However, you can export certain items:

  • Bookmarks: Bookmarks -> Manage Bookmarks -> Import and Backup -> Export Bookmarks to HTML
  • Passwords: Settings -> Privacy & Security -> Logins -> Click the three dots menu next to "Saved Logins" -> Export Logins

Important Notes:

  • Closing Firefox: When backing up your profile folder, make sure Firefox is completely closed. Otherwise, the backup may be incomplete or corrupted.
  • Security: Be mindful of where you store your backed-up profile folder, especially if it contains sensitive information like passwords.
  • Sync Considerations: Firefox Sync relies on your Firefox Account. Make sure your account is secure with a strong password and two-factor authentication if available.

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