Your Firefox settings have changed, and you want a fresh start. On a computer, Firefox’s built-in refresh tool restores preferences while keeping your bookmarks and passwords. On a phone or tablet, resetting the app removes its local data too, so check what you’re keeping before you begin.
Check what a Firefox reset keeps and removes
On Windows, macOS, and Linux, Refresh Firefox resets preferences and removes the extensions, themes, and customizations stored in your Firefox profile folder. Add-ons stored in other locations are not removed, although their modified preferences are reset. Your bookmarks, saved passwords, browsing history, cookies, and other essential data stay put.
The refresh also leaves an Old Firefox Data backup. With the new profile-management system, Mozilla specifies Firefox 150 or later for Refresh Firefox.
Mobile resets go further. Clearing Firefox’s app storage on Android or deleting the app on iPhone and iPad removes local app data as well as settings. Save anything you need before using those methods.
Reset Firefox through the Help menu
Start here when Firefox opens and you want to restore its preferences while keeping essential browsing data.
Open the application menu, select Help, and choose More troubleshooting information. For a shortcut to the same page, enter about:support in Firefox’s address bar.
Click Refresh Firefox…, then confirm with Refresh Firefox. This resets preferences and removes extensions and customizations.
After Firefox restarts, click Finish. Choose whether to restore your previous windows and tabs, then click Let’s go! to finish.
Reach the refresh tool when Firefox will not open normally
The Troubleshoot Mode startup dialog gives you access to the permanent refresh when normal startup fails.
Fully close Firefox. On Windows, launch Firefox while holding Shift; on macOS, launch Firefox while holding Option; on Linux, run firefox -safe-mode in a terminal.
Select Refresh Firefox in the startup dialog. The Open button starts temporary Troubleshoot Mode and does not permanently reset preferences. Confirm with Refresh Firefox when prompted.
Once Firefox restarts, click Finish. Choose whether to restore your previous windows and tabs, and click Let’s go!.
Clear Firefox app data on Android
On Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy devices, clearing app storage resets Firefox and erases its local personal data.
- 1.Open your phone’s Settings.
- 2.On Pixel, go to Apps → See all apps → Firefox. On Samsung Galaxy, go to Apps → Firefox.
- 3.On Pixel, open Storage & cache and tap Clear storage, or Clear data where offered. On Samsung Galaxy, open Storage and tap Clear data.
- 4.Confirm with OK on Pixel or Delete on Samsung Galaxy. Labels vary by manufacturer and software version.
- 5.Reopen Firefox.
Start fresh on iPhone or iPad
Open your device’s Settings, go to General, and select iPhone Storage or iPad Storage. Tap Firefox, then choose Delete App to remove Firefox and its related local data.
Open Mozilla’s Firefox for iOS download page, then follow its App Store link to reinstall Firefox. Stick with Delete App for this reset because Offload App preserves documents and data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will uninstalling and reinstalling Firefox reset its desktop settings?
A desktop reinstall does not guarantee a settings reset. Standard desktop uninstalling preserves profile data; Mozilla identifies Ubuntu Snap as an exception. Use Refresh Firefox to reset preferences and remove extensions and customizations.
Does clearing the cache reset Firefox?
No. Clearing the cache does not reset all preferences. On Android, Clear cache removes cached data; Clear storage or Clear data removes local app data and settings.
How do I stop desktop settings and add-ons from syncing into a fresh configuration?
Open Firefox’s Settings → Sync, or Settings → Account and sync in the alternate layout. Select Manage Sync…. Deselect Settings and Add-ons. Then click Save Changes (or Save) to apply the new sync choices. These selections control synchronization; they do not reset Firefox.
Why is Refresh Firefox unavailable on my work computer?
On managed computers, the DisableProfileRefresh policy blocks refresh when set to true. Ask your administrator to check that policy. Removing the restriction or setting it to false permits refresh where the feature is otherwise available.