Profile management

A 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 a computer without sharing browser data.

The profile management interface described in this article may not be available in every Waterfox release. If the Profiles menu is unavailable, enter about:profiles in the address bar to use the original Profile Manager.

The Refresh feature may be unavailable with the newer profile management interface unless your Waterfox release incorporates profile changes from upstream version 150 or later.

Manage profiles

Create a new profile

1. In the toolbar, click the account icon.
2. Click Profiles.
3. Choose the option to create a new profile.
   • Waterfox opens another window for the new profile, so two Waterfox icons may appear in the taskbar or dock.
4. Follow the on-screen prompts. Waterfox saves profile changes as you make them.
5. When finished, close the tab or click Done editing.

Customize a profile

You can personalize a profile’s name, theme and avatar:

• Profile name: Give the profile a distinct name. Profiles are listed alphabetically.
• Profile theme: Pick a theme that makes the profile’s windows easy to identify.
• Profile avatar: Choose an avatar for the profile badge on the Waterfox taskbar or dock icon.

To update a profile:

1. In the toolbar, click the account icon.
2. Click the name of the current profile.
3. Click the edit icon in the top-right corner. To edit another profile, click Manage profiles and select it.
4. Waterfox saves changes as you make them. When 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 the current profile.
3. Select the profile you want to open.

Copy a profile

You can copy the current profile, including its settings and browsing data:

1. In the toolbar, click the account icon.
2. Click the name of the profile you want to copy.
3. Select Copy this profile.
4. Choose a name and theme for the copied profile.
5. Click Done editing.

Waterfox releases that incorporate upstream version 147 or later may also let you copy a profile from Settings:

1. Open Waterfox Settings.
2. Find the profile controls and click Select profile.
3. Choose the profile to copy.
4. Click Copy.

Delete a profile

1. In the toolbar, click the account icon.
2. Click the name of the current profile.
3. Click the edit icon in the top-right corner. To delete another profile, click Manage profiles and select it.
4. Click Delete.
5. Review the data that will be deleted, then confirm by clicking Delete.
   • If you delete the last remaining profile, Waterfox reopens with a new profile.

Warning: Deleting a profile is permanent. Back up any data you want to keep first.

Use Sync with a profile

Profiles are local by default. Creating a profile does not sign it in to an account or enable Sync.

To make supported data available on other devices, sign the profile in to a Mozilla account and enable Sync in Waterfox Settings. Mozilla operates the account and Sync services. Use a different Mozilla account for each profile on the same device to avoid merging data between profiles.

Choose a profile at startup

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

1. In the toolbar, click the account icon.
2. Click the name of the current profile.
3. Click Manage profiles.
4. Select Choose a profile when Waterfox opens.
   • If the option is not selected, Waterfox opens the most recently used profile.

Alternative: Multi-Account Containers

For separate work and personal browsing contexts within one profile, install the Multi-Account Containers extension.

• Profiles separate bookmarks, settings, add-ons, history, cookies and logins.
• Containers separate cookies, logins and site data within one profile.

Profiles are best for completely separate browser environments. Containers can be more convenient when only site sessions need to be separated.

Frequently asked questions

Is profile management available on Android or iOS?

No. This profile management interface is for desktop Waterfox.

Does creating a profile sign me in or change Sync settings?

No. Creating or managing a profile does not sign it in to a Mozilla account or enable Sync. Each profile has separate account and Sync settings.

Will switching profiles mix their local data?

No. Each profile has separate local browser data. Sync can merge supported data only when profiles are connected to the same account, which the newer profile interface prevents on one device.

Which profile opens with Waterfox?

If Choose a profile when Waterfox opens is selected, Waterfox displays the profile chooser at startup. Otherwise, it opens the most recently used profile.

Should I back up my profiles?

Yes. Use Waterfox Backup when it is available, or make a separate copy of the profile folder while Waterfox is closed. Sync keeps selected data consistent across devices, but it is not a replacement for an independent backup.

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

Profiles separate all local browser data, including bookmarks, passwords, settings, add-ons, history, cookies and logins. Multi-Account Containers separate cookies, logins and site data between containers in one profile. Containers and their configuration are not shared across profiles.

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