Firefox Sync: Take Your Browser Everywhere

Mozilla has just rebranded their Weave add-on as Firefox Sync, and I've been using it for the past few weeks. This is exactly what I've been waiting for: the ability to continue my Firefox session from one place to another without losing context.

The Browser Sync Problem

How many times have you left your computer at work running or hibernated because you had dozens of important tabs open and couldn't bear to lose them? Or needed to access a password you'd saved at home while you were traveling? Or wished you could see your work browsing history when you got home?

Browser sync has been a frustrating problem. Solutions exist—Google Toolbar can sync bookmarks and history, Xmarks handles bookmarks, various password managers exist—but they're all fragmented, third-party solutions. Firefox Sync is Mozilla's integrated answer.

From Weave to Firefox Sync

Firefox Sync was previously called "Weave" and existed as an experimental Mozilla Labs project. The rebrand to "Firefox Sync" signals Mozilla's commitment to making this a core Firefox feature rather than an experimental add-on. The functionality remains the same, but the branding is clearer and the service feels more polished.

What Firefox Sync Does

Firefox Sync continuously synchronizes these elements across all your Firefox browsers:

Smart Location Bar History – Get the same autocomplete results on every device. If you frequently visit a site at work, just type a few letters at home and it appears. The Awesome Bar stays awesome everywhere.

Open Tabs – This is the killer feature. You can see and open any tab that's currently open on any of your other Firefox browsers. Left something open at work? Access it from home instantly.

Bookmarks – Your complete bookmark structure syncs across all devices. Add a bookmark on your laptop, have it on your desktop immediately.

Saved Passwords – All your saved login credentials sync automatically. This is especially valuable on mobile devices where typing complex passwords is painful.

Security Built In – All your data is encrypted before uploading to Mozilla's servers. Even Mozilla can't read your data—only your devices with the sync key can decrypt it.

My Experience

I've been syncing between my work desktop (Ubuntu), home laptop (also Ubuntu), and Windows machine. The setup process is straightforward: install the add-on, create an account, and enter a sync key on each device. Within minutes, all my bookmarks appeared on each machine.

The open tabs feature has changed how I work. I no longer email myself links or leave machines running overnight. I just open the tab on whichever device I'm using. It's seamless in a way that feels almost magical.

Password sync works flawlessly. I let Firefox generate and store complex passwords knowing they'll be available on all my devices. This has actually improved my security because I'm no longer reusing simple passwords.

The only limitation I've noticed is sync speed. Sometimes there's a delay of a few minutes before changes propagate. It's not instant, but it's fast enough for practical use.

How It Compares to Alternatives

vs. Google Toolbar: Google's solution only syncs bookmarks and history, and it requires a Google account. Firefox Sync handles passwords and tabs, and your data stays encrypted in a way Google can't read.

vs. Xmarks: Xmarks is excellent for bookmark sync but doesn't handle passwords or tabs. Firefox Sync is more comprehensive.

vs. Delicious/Other Bookmark Services: Social bookmarking services are great for sharing, but Firefox Sync is about personal workflow continuity, not sharing. It's a different use case.

Security and Privacy

Mozilla's approach to sync is notably privacy-focused. Your data is encrypted on your device before being uploaded. Mozilla stores encrypted blobs they can't decrypt. Only devices with your sync key can access your data.

This is different from many cloud services where the provider has full access to your data. Mozilla's approach means even if their servers were compromised, your passwords and history remain secure.

The trade-off is that if you lose your sync key, Mozilla can't recover your data. This is actually a feature—it proves Mozilla truly can't access your information.

Getting Started

Setting up Firefox Sync is straightforward:

Install the add-on from Mozilla Add-ons
Create a Firefox Sync account
Save your sync key securely (you'll need it for additional devices)
Install on your other devices and enter the same credentials

You can manage your account at services.mozilla.com. More information is available at Mozilla Labs Sync page.

The Bottom Line

Firefox Sync solves a real problem elegantly. For anyone who uses Firefox on multiple devices—and especially for those who use both desktop and mobile Firefox—this is essential.

The security model is sound, the sync is reliable, and the experience is smooth. I no longer think about which device has which bookmarks or tabs. Everything is just… there.

If you use Firefox on more than one device, install Firefox Sync today. It's one of those features that immediately becomes indispensable. Last modified: 2010-06-25 WordPress ID: 668