How to update to the new Firefox Sync

The latest Firefox includes a new version of Sync. This article will show you how to update. Don't want to update right away? No problem. Sync will continue to work as before for now, with one exception that we'll explain.

What's different about the new Sync?

Signing in to the new Sync is easy to do with a Firefox account. No more pairing codes or recovery keys. Just sign in with your email and password and you're set.

How to update to the new Sync

The new version of Sync only works with the latest Firefox and you can't use both the old and new Sync at the same time. So in order to create a Firefox account and sign in to the new Sync you'll have to unlink all of your current devices from the old version of Sync.

On a computer:

  1. Click the menu button and choose Preferences

  2. Select the Sync panel.
  3. In the Sync panel click Unlink This Device.
  4. Click Close to close the Preferences window
  5. Restart Firefox.

On an Android device:

  1. Open your device's Settings app (not Firefox's Settings menu).
  2. Under Accounts or Accounts and Sync, tap on Firefox.
  3. Tap your account name (usually your email address) to view the account settings.
  4. Tap the menu at the top right corner of your device and choose Remove account.

Step 2: Update all of your other devices to the latest Firefox

Step 3: Create a Firefox account

On a computer:

  • Click the menu button and choose Sign in to Sync and follow the instructions to create your account.

On an Android device:

  • Tap the Menu button (either below the screen on some devices or at the top right corner of the browser) , select Settings (you may need to tap More first) and then Sync. Follow the instructions to create your account.
Note: You can use the same email address that you used to set up the old Sync.

Step 4: Sign in to Sync on your other devices

On a computer:

  1. Click the menu button and choose Sign in to Sync.
  2. Click Get Started and then choose the Already have an account? Sign in. link at the bottom.

On an Android device:

  1. Tap the Menu button (either below the screen on some devices or at the top right corner of the browser) , select Settings (you may need to tap More first) and then Sync.
  2. Tap Get Started and then choose the Already have an account? Sign in. link at the bottom.

What if I don't want to update to the new Sync?

  • While the old version of Sync will continue to work, the latest version of Firefox doesn't support adding new devices to the old version of Sync. This means that you won't be able to sync with a new device.
  • Mozilla will continue to host the old version of Sync for a limited time to allow for migration to Firefox Accounts. Self-hosted users will soon be able to run their own instance.
  • Learn more about Firefox accounts


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