How do I share bookmarks between profiles, without using a cloud server?
1st, it is important to note that I absolutely do not want to use any cloud servers for this question. I want to create multiple Firefox profiles, and be able to create and use bookmarks across them.
Note that in my case, I do not want to share bookmarks between different devices or browsers.
I already understand that Firefox Sync uses encryption and other means, to absolutely 100% guarantee that my bookmarks and other data is secure, just like all the other large firms that have experienced user data theft. So, I don't want to use that system.
Is it perhaps possible to set multiple profiles to use the same bookmark file? And while I typically just use one profile at a time, I can see the benefit of using two at once. So, ideally, that would be desirable.
Thanks for any advice, -Joe
Chosen solution
You can run your own Sync-1.5 Server if you want complete control.
- https://mozilla-services.readthedocs.io/en/latest/index.html
- https://github.com/mozilla-services/syncserver
All Replies (11)
If you want to share all the bookmarks, not a real problem. However, if you just want to share just some, a bit more complicated.
These instructions will combine the new bookmarks with the old.
Open the Bookmarks Manager; Press the Alt or F10 key to bring up the toolbar, and select Bookmarks. Hot key is <Control> (Mac=<Command>) <Shift> B.
Once the window is open, at the top of the page, press the button labeled Import and Backup. Select Export Bookmarks To HTML, and follow the prompts and save it to a HTML file. Copy the file to another computer. Repeat the instructions above, BUT select Import Bookmarks From HTML.
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/restore-bookmarks-from-backup-or-move-them
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/recover-lost-or-missing-bookmarks
I can go more in-depth is you want to share just some bookmarks.
You can use a USB jump drive to transfer files from one profile to another profile.
You can copy files like these with Firefox closed to the current profile folder to recover specific data.
- bookmarks and history: places.sqlite
- bookmark backups: compressed .jsonlz4 JSON backups in the bookmarkbackups folder
- cookies.sqlite for the Cookies
- formhistory.sqlite for saved autocomplete Form Data
- logins.json (passwords) and key4.db (58+) or key3.db (57 and older) (decryption key) for Passwords saved in the Password Manager
if you only have key3.db then make sure to remove an existing key4.db - cert9.db (58+) or cert8.db (57 and older) for (intermediate) certificates stored in the Certificate Manager
if you only have cert8.db then make sure to remove an existing cert9.db - persdict.dat for words you added to the spelling checker dictionary
- permissions.sqlite for Permissions and possibly content-prefs.sqlite for other website specific data (Site Preferences)
- sessionstore.jsonlz4 for open tabs and pinned tabs (see also the sessionstore-backups folder)
FredMcD said
Once the window is open, at the top of the page, press the button labeled Import and Backup. Select Export Bookmarks To HTML,
Thank you for replying. However, I want to make this a lot more streamlined.
Currently, what I am doing is this; I have one profile with no saved cookies, and with most of my extensions not active. If I want to add a new bookmark for the other profile, I copy the URL, close that profile, open the other one, and then paste it into the address bar, and finally save it as a bookmark.
I think what I want is behavior like Firefox Sync, but without putting my information on Firefox's server.
-joe
cor-el said
You can copy files like these with Firefox closed to the current profile folder to recover specific data.
Thank you for the reply. Am I correct that your method is, in essence, similar in end results, to exporting the bookmarks, and then importing them in the new profile? I see that it can do other things besides bookmarks. And since you mentioned dictionaries, I do now realize that this would be nice to have synced between the profiles.
I see now that my ideal solution would have the features of Firefox Sync, but be without putting my information onto the cloud. I don't know of Firefox Sync permits me to omit some areas to sync. For, example I would not want to sync cookies between profiles.
I am puzzled why my request is not already a widely requested feature. It seems that young people are OK with putting all their info out there for the government and business to use as they will. So, perhaps I am one of the old-fogies from another generation who cares about this sort of thing.
-Joe
You can select to share the whole profile or only parts of it. Sync has no way to share part of a part as you want.
One thing you can try is to send the link to yourself via e-mail.
Another thing you could do is place the link shortcut on your desktop.
I have looked into a few 3rd party sync utilities, and like Firefox Sync, they require you give them your data to put on their server.
So it seems that what I want does not exist. You must either manually transfer the links, or share them with a cloud service.
Anyway, thank you both for your efforts.
-joe
You can run your own Sync server. https://mozilla-services.readthedocs.io/en/latest/howtos/run-sync-1.5.html
Chosen Solution
You can run your own Sync-1.5 Server if you want complete control.
Again, thanks for the ideas.
The links provided, what seem to be, very detailed instructions. But, the more complex something is, the more likely some minor detail will cause it to not work. These issues tend to eat up many hours of time.
The idea of setting up my own server looks complicated enough that I am very unlikely to try it. This is an area outside of my experience.
Still, this is probably the only answer to my question.
-Joe