How to Protect Saved Passwords With Firefox Primary Password

If you’re using Firefox as your primary browser, chances are that it’s full of history, saved extensions, and passwords. While history and extensions might not make a difference, it becomes risky when you save your login details on Firefox without additional protection as they are easy for anyone to access. So, to protect your saved passwords, you can set a primary password in Firefox.

Usually, login data can be auto-applied when going for applications and services that have their login details saved on Firefox. However, once you set Firefox’s primary password, an additional step will be added to this process. This means you will first need to enter your master password before accessing the saved login details.

This can be especially helpful if other users also have access to your device. So, let’s check out how to set it up and use it on your device.

How to Set Primary Password in Firefox

To create a primary password in Firefox, use the password settings menu. However, the key or the most important aspect of it is to ensure you set up a password that is strong and difficult to guess for the other users that might have access to your device. Follow the below steps to do it.

Step 1: Open Firefox and click on the hamburger icon.

Step 2: Then, click on Passwords.

Step 3: Here, click on the three-dot icon.

Step 4: Click on Options. This will open a separate page.

Step 5: Here, check the ‘Use a Primary Password’ option.

Step 6: Enter the password that you want as your primary password and then re-enter it for confirmation. You can also keep an eye on the ‘Password quality meter’ to check the strength of your password.

Step 7: Once done, click on OK.

Step 8: Click on OK again.

This will close the window and set the primary password in Firefox.

Change Firefox Primary Password

Once the master password has been set, you also get the option of changing it in Firefox. This can be helpful if you feel that the previously set password was not strong enough, or if your current password has been compromised. Follow the below steps to do it.

Step 1: Open Firefox web browser.

Step 2: Then, click on the hamburger icon.

Step 3: Select Settings to access Firefox settings.

Step 4: Go to the ‘Privacy & Security’ tab and scroll down to the ‘Logins and Passwords’ section.

Step 5: Here, click on ‘Change Primary Password’. This will open the Primary Password window.

Step 6: First, enter your current password.

Step 7: Then, enter and re-enter your new password.

Tip: Make sure this password is different from the previous one, and check the password strength from the ‘Password quality meter’.

Step 8: Once done, click on OK.

Step 9: Again, click on OK.

This will change the Firefox primary password.

Delete Primary Password in Firefox

While the Firefox primary password can help protect your login information, it can also end up becoming a hassle, especially if you’re no longer sharing your device with other users. If this is the case, you also have the provision to remove the primary password in Firefox. Here’s how.

Step 1: Open Firefox.

Step 2: Here, click on the hamburger icon.

Step 3: From the option, click on Passwords.

Step 4: Then, click on the three-dot icon.

Step 5: Select Options. This should open the ‘Logins and Passwords’ section.

Step 6: Uncheck the ‘Use a Primary Password’ option. This will open the ‘Remove Primary Password’ window.

Step 7: Now, enter your current primary password.

Step 8: Then, click on Remove.

Step 9: Click on OK.

This will remove the master password from Firefox. If you want, you can also remove all the saved passwords from Firefox to stop your data from being vulnerable after the master password is removed. Or, set the primary password once again using the abovementioned steps.

Reset Firefox Primary Password if You Forgot It

While the master password is a great way to protect your saved passwords, what happens if you ever forget your primary password? Is there any chance for it to be recovered? Well, even though there is no way to recover your primary password, you get the option of resetting it.

However, the catch to this is that once Firefox’s master password is reset, all your stored passwords, private keys, certificates, etc. will be removed. While it’s a great way to ensure that your data stays protected, it becomes a double-edged sword if you’ve genuinely just forgotten your password.

If you’d still like to go ahead and reset it, follow the below steps.

Step 1: Open Firefox and copy the below command to the address bar.

chrome://pippki/content/resetpassword.xhtml

Step 2: Then, press enter to execute the command.

Step 3: Once the ‘Reset Primary Password’ page opens, click on Reset.

This will reset the master password in Firefox. Now, you can go ahead and set another master password.

FAQs for Using Primary Password in Firefox

Protect Your Passwords

While we advise against saving personal information like credentials on a web browser, if it’s absolutely necessary, using the primary password in Firefox is a great way to protect your saved logins. Additionally, if you’re looking to make Firefox your primary browser, check our article on how to import bookmarks and passwords to Firefox.