Could you please help me synchronize my Firefox bookmarks?
I have two different versions of Firefox installed on my computer: an original version and a forked version.
Since I work with both versions, I would like to manually synchronize their respective `bookmarks.html` files from time to time. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to get it to work. Could you please help me?
Left side (Original Firefox):
Profile Path to bookmarks.html Folder
Filter - Include: `bookmarks.html`
Right side (Forked Version):
Profile Path to bookmarks.html Folder
Filter – Include: `bookmarks.html`
Comparison: Date and Size
Synchronization: Bidirectional (two way)
Use database file to detect changes
I keep receiving the following error message: "The two `bookmarks.html` files differ and cannot be synchronized."
Could you please assist me? Please excuse my poor English.
Thank you very much.
How to synchronize my 2 local Firefox (original and forked) bookmarks.html
- Posts: 3
- Joined: 10 May 2026
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- Posts: 2978
- Joined: 22 Aug 2012
Likely, both bookmarks.html files have changed since their last sync.
Then FFS does not know in which direction to copy (left-to-right or right-to-left).
It seems more robust to export the bookmarks of each Firefox version and import those in the other Firefox version. See e.g. here.
Then FFS does not know in which direction to copy (left-to-right or right-to-left).
It seems more robust to export the bookmarks of each Firefox version and import those in the other Firefox version. See e.g. here.
- Posts: 3
- Joined: 10 May 2026
Hello Plerry,
Thank you very much for your reply!
Could you please explain something to me? I always assumed that files underwent permanent changes *before* synchronization took place.
For instance, imagine a colleague at the office working on a file (goodhopeFM.doc) while another colleague works on a file with the same name (goodhopeFM.doc) at home office. Consequently, both files are different prior to synchronization. Both colleague write on there own goodhopeFM.doc File
These two files are then synchronized—say, overnight—on a server.
Why can't this happen with two Bookmark.html files stored locally on a single computer?
Best regards
Thank you very much for your reply!
Could you please explain something to me? I always assumed that files underwent permanent changes *before* synchronization took place.
For instance, imagine a colleague at the office working on a file (goodhopeFM.doc) while another colleague works on a file with the same name (goodhopeFM.doc) at home office. Consequently, both files are different prior to synchronization. Both colleague write on there own goodhopeFM.doc File
These two files are then synchronized—say, overnight—on a server.
Why can't this happen with two Bookmark.html files stored locally on a single computer?
Best regards
-
- Posts: 2978
- Joined: 22 Aug 2012
FFS simply copies or updates a file left-to-right OR right-to-left.
Your example with the goodhopeFM.doc file will not synchronize properly with FFS either, just like when both bookmarks.html files have changed since the last sync.
If each of your doc-file comprises records of all changes made to that file, a dedicated tool may perhaps be able to mutually update the left- and right-side document for the changes made to the other side.
But FFS is not such a tool. And almost certainly the bookmarks.html files don't comprise records of all changes made to that file either.
With "Use database file to detect changes" checkmarked (which is always the case for a Two-way sync), if both sides have changed since the last sync, FFS will always show that as a conflict.
FFS does not know if it should copy left-to-right or right-to-left; neither of the two would be OK in your use-case.
Using other sync variants (than Two-way) you could un-checkmark "Use database file to detect changes".
Using a Custom sync variant you could then select to copy the most recently modified bookmarks.html file to the opposite side. But also that does not solve your problem. Changes made to the not most recently modified bookmarks.html file will get lost.
Hence my suggestion for a robust solution: mutually exporting and importing the Firefox bookmarks.
Your example with the goodhopeFM.doc file will not synchronize properly with FFS either, just like when both bookmarks.html files have changed since the last sync.
If each of your doc-file comprises records of all changes made to that file, a dedicated tool may perhaps be able to mutually update the left- and right-side document for the changes made to the other side.
But FFS is not such a tool. And almost certainly the bookmarks.html files don't comprise records of all changes made to that file either.
With "Use database file to detect changes" checkmarked (which is always the case for a Two-way sync), if both sides have changed since the last sync, FFS will always show that as a conflict.
FFS does not know if it should copy left-to-right or right-to-left; neither of the two would be OK in your use-case.
Using other sync variants (than Two-way) you could un-checkmark "Use database file to detect changes".
Using a Custom sync variant you could then select to copy the most recently modified bookmarks.html file to the opposite side. But also that does not solve your problem. Changes made to the not most recently modified bookmarks.html file will get lost.
Hence my suggestion for a robust solution: mutually exporting and importing the Firefox bookmarks.
- Posts: 3
- Joined: 10 May 2026
Hello Plerry,
please excuse my delayed response!
Thank you so much for the excellent explanation. I think I'll try writing a batch file so that the Firefox bookmarks synchronize when starting or closing Firefox.
Thanks again!
please excuse my delayed response!
Thank you so much for the excellent explanation. I think I'll try writing a batch file so that the Firefox bookmarks synchronize when starting or closing Firefox.
Thanks again!
