A Firefox profile stores your bookmarks, passwords, settings and browsing data. You can create multiple profiles to keep work and personal browsing separate, test different setups, or share your computer with others. The profile management system has been improved so that Firefox users can more easily create and switch profiles.

Manage profiles

Create a new profile

1. In the toolbar, click the account icon .
2. Click Profiles, then + New profile.
   • Firefox will launch a new instance to create your new profile, meaning you will see two Firefox icons in your taskbardock.
3. Follow the on-screen prompts to set up your new profile. All of your changes will be saved automatically.
4. When you’re finished, close the tab or click Done editing.

   

Customize a profile

After setting up a profile, you can continue to personalize it by tweaking its name, theme and avatar.

• Profile name: Give your profile a unique name to help you spot it easily. Profiles are listed alphabetically.
• Profile theme: Pick a theme to give each profile a unique color scheme. This is especially useful if you have multiple profiles open at the same time; different themes help you instantly see which profile's window you’re working in.
• Profile avatar: Choose an avatar that will also help you identify your profile. You’ll also see your avatar as a badge on the Firefox icon in your taskbardock that’s associated with that particular profile.

To update your profile:

1. In the toolbar, click the account icon .
2. Click the name of your current profile.
3. Click the edit icon in the top-right corner to edit your current profile. To edit a different profile, click Manage Profiles.
4. Changes made to a profile’s customization are saved automatically. When you’re finished, close the tab or click Done editing.

   

Open an existing profile

1. In the toolbar, click the account icon .
2. Click the name of your current profile.
3. From the dropdown, just pick the profile you want to open.

   

Delete a profile

If you no longer need a profile, you can delete it easily by following these steps:

1. In the toolbar, click the account icon .
2. Click the name of your current profile.
3. Click the edit icon in the top-right corner to proceed with deleting your current profile. To delete a different profile, click Manage Profiles.
4. At the bottom-right, click Delete.
5. Review the data that will be deleted, and then confirm by clicking Delete.
   • If you delete your last remaining profile, Firefox will re-open with a fresh profile.

   

Use Sync with a new profile

Profiles are local by default—they don’t automatically sync or log you into an account.

If you want your new profile’s bookmarks, passwords and history available on other devices:

• You can sync data from your new profile with other devices that are signed in to your Mozilla account. To learn more, see How do I set up Sync on my computer?, Sync Firefox data and How do I choose what information to sync on Firefox?

Choose a profile at Firefox startup

You can make Firefox ask which profile to use when it starts:

1. In the toolbar, click the account icon .
2. Click Manage Profiles.
3. Select Choose a profile when Firefox opens.
   • If this is not selected, Firefox will open to the most recently used profile.

   

Alternative solutions: Multi-Account containers

If you want separate work vs. personal browsing contexts but don’t want to switch profiles, you can install the Multi-Account Containers extension.

• Profiles separate all data (bookmarks, settings, add-ons).
• Containers separate only cookies, logins and site data inside one profile.

FAQs

Is this feature available on Android or iOS?

No, the profiles feature is currently not supported on Android or iOS.

Does creating a new profile log me into an account or affect my sync settings?

No, creating or managing profiles does not sign you in to a Mozilla account or change any sync settings. Sync remains separate, and profiles allow you to set up different browsing environments without linking them automatically to an account.

Will switching profiles mix my data if I’m signed in to a Mozilla account?

No. Each profile is fully separate. Firefox prevents multiple profiles on the same device from syncing to the same account.

Which profile will open when I open Firefox?

If you have selected Choose a profile when Firefox opens from the Manage Profiles screen, you will be able to choose from a list of all your profiles when Firefox opens. Otherwise, Firefox opens the most recently used profile.

How do “Data Collection and Use” settings work with profiles?

To make sure Firefox only collects data with your consent, your Data Collection and Use settings will apply to every Firefox profile on your device. That means you only have to change these settings in one profile, and the changes will be applied to your other profiles. When you create a new profile, your current Data Collection and Use settings will automatically apply. You can view and change these any time from the Privacy & Security section of about:preferences (the Firefox settings page).

Should I back up my profiles?

The best way to protect your profile data is by creating a Mozilla account for each profile. Sync automatically protects your data across devices, ensuring easy access whenever you need it.

What's the difference between profiles and Multi-Account Containers?

• Profiles allow for complete separation of all data between each profile — including bookmarks, passwords, settings, add-ons, browsing history and browsing data (like cookies and logins).
• In contrast, Multi-Account Containers only separate browsing data like cookies and logins between different containers. The Multi-Account Containers add-on can be used in a single profile, but this add-on and its containers won't be shared across profiles.

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