Unable to import settings from Firefox

[SalahAdDin]

What happened?

We are testing this browser as an alternative to Firefox; we want to import all data from Firefox, since it is our main browser, and Zen Browser is not Firefox, we thought it was possible. But it is not.

What about adding this feature?

Thank you

Reproducible?

• I have checked that this issue cannot be reproduced on Mozilla Firefox.

Version

1.0.0-a.31 (64-bit)

Severity impact

Low

What platform are you seeing the problem on?

Linux

Relevant log output

No response

[mithom]

duplicate of #221

[ben2talk]

Ok, just saw this and then noticed...

FIREFOX sync works, and manual import of bookmarks etc is okay too, so the impact is indeed just as low as, for example, with Firefox Nightly.

This issue is to be expected - even with Firefox versions, profiles aren't always compatible - and corrupt profiles are best fixed by deleting and re-synchronizing.

[SalahAdDin]

Ok, just saw this and then noticed...

FIREFOX sync works, and manual import of bookmarks etc is okay too, so the impact is indeed just as low as, for example, with Firefox Nightly.

This issue is to be expected - even with Firefox versions, profiles aren't always compatible - and corrupt profiles are best fixed by deleting and re-synchronizing.

What about sessions?

[thibaultmol]

It would be nice to also have history import and also in general just profiles import from firefox

[julienallexandre]

Hello, why can't we import data from Firefox?

Firefox.to.Zen.mov

[4cecoder]

Hello, why can't we import data from Firefox?
Firefox.to.Zen.mov

just want simple import from firefox nightly like @julienallexandre is trying to do

[catto24]

+1, running Firefox from pacman, Firefox is not listed in the Zen (appimage) import list

[MostHated]

I am using firefox-dev (aurora), and also have normal firefox installed but the only options in the zen import are chrome, chromium, and vivaldi. While it's installed in a non-default location, I believe the profiles were auto created in the default location.

[lezetho]

+1, I would love this! Unfortunately until this is added I don't think I'll be moving to Zen... 😞

[vraravam]

The FF devs would not imagine a scenario where they will import settings, etc from one FF installation/version to another.

This being the case, I don't see this functionality being implemented in Zen - since this seems like a "core" functionality and Zen is built on top of FF.

[Swivelgames]

@vraravam That seems like a pretty big oversight for something that likely should be part of the core functionality in Zen. Right now, on its face, it appears that Zen only supports migrating from Chrome. So people who are still on Firefox don't get the same luxury?

Especially given that Zen is privacy focused, there are many of us that don't even use Firefox Sync. Granted, downgrading profiles from a newer version of Firefox to an older one is likely problematic, but it's a bit disappointing that Zen likely wouldn't want FF users to migrate to Zen 😞

[vraravam]

@Swivelgames - i don't think I made my observation clear (I am not associated with Zen except as another user just like you):

1. Zen is built on top of Firefox. Without trivializing the efforts put by the Zen devs, most of the features we experience are from FF, with some slight tweaks and enhancements.
2. Now, in Firefox, the FF devs would not implement a feature to import settings, etc from FF itself - would they?

Based on the above, my observation was that such a feature would not exist. and i wouldn't hold my breath for the Zen devs to implement it either. If we get it, it would be good. But, if not, .....

As an aside, I was able to recreate most of my settings by following a few steps:

1. Shut down FF and Zen (at least run Zen once so that the profile folder is created)
2. open the profile folder in FF, and copy all files exactly as-is into the Zen profile folder.
3. with the above, most of the settings, etc came through anyways.
4. Some of the plugins that I use in FF have the capability to export their settings to a local file (for eg UBO). Export from FF, import into Zen.

Following the above steps, I was able to recreate exactly the same setup in Zen. After which I went into the settings in Zen and tweaked some more.

[Swivelgames]

@vraravam Absolutely. The solution that you outlined is what I had in mind as well. I imagine a more elegant solution that also works for newer versions of Firefox might not be necessary, if the Zen continues to keep strong parity with Firefox.

Understand, none of my comments are directed towards you personally.

The unfortunate reality is that #221 was closed for the very reasons outlined, and I think this is an unfortunate oversight. I'd love to see this implemented if possible.

[Swivelgames]

@SalahAdDin This might help.

It appears that there is an --allow-downgrade option. Not sure if this works or not, so YMMV.

[neurokitti]

still an issue

[mr-cheff]

The reason this doesnt exist is because since we are based on firefox, why would firefox make an option to import data from... itself?

Ill investigate more into this issue, but come on, "but it's a bit disappointing that Zen likely wouldn't want FF users to migrate to Zen 😞" where do you get this idea from? 😭

[mr-cheff]

Im gonna save some links I saw from waterfox:

BrowserWorks/Waterfox#1553

[vraravam]

The reason this doesnt exist is because since we are based on firefox, why would firefox make an option to import data from... itself?

This is exactly what I had responded a few weeks ago in reddit (unable to find my response now). Not sure, whether its the same person who created this ticket.

I agree - it would be absurd for FF folks to import from themselves!

[SalahAdDin]

Im gonna save some links I saw from waterfox:

BrowserWorks/Waterfox#1553

They did it.