View Firefox Saved Passwords: Step-by-Step Guide

This guide shows you how to view the passwords you’ve saved in Firefox, whether you need to check a login you forgot or manage your stored credentials. You’ll need your Firefox profile’s primary password (if you set one) and, on some systems, your operating system login. No special tools or extensions are required.

What You’ll Need

Firefox browser (current version, any OS)
Your Firefox Primary Password (if you’ve enabled it)
Your computer’s login password or PIN (required on Windows and macOS to reveal passwords)

Step-by-Step

Open Firefox and click the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top-right corner of the window.
From the dropdown menu, select Logins and Passwords. This opens the Firefox about:logins page in a new tab.
On the left sidebar, you’ll see a list of all websites for which you’ve saved logins. Click any site to see the saved username and password fields on the right.
To reveal a hidden password, click the eye icon next to the password field. If you have a Primary Password set, Firefox will prompt you to enter it. If not, you may be asked for your operating system login (Windows or macOS).
After entering the required password, the password will appear in plain text. Click the eye icon again to hide it.

If you want to copy the password instead of just viewing it, click the copy icon next to the password field. This also requires the same authentication.

Common Mistakes

Using the wrong menu: Some users look for “Options” or “Settings” first. The correct path is always via the menu button → Logins and Passwords.
Forgetting the Primary Password: If you set a Primary Password in Firefox’s security settings, you must enter it every time you view passwords. There is no way to bypass it.
Confusing the OS login with the Primary Password: On Windows and macOS, Firefox may ask for your system login even if you don’t have a Primary Password. This is a security feature, not an error.
Looking in the wrong place: Saved passwords are not in the main Settings page. They are only accessible through the dedicated Logins and Passwords screen.

Tips

Use the search bar at the top of the Logins and Passwords page to quickly find a specific site if you have many saved logins.
To edit a password, click the three-dot menu next to the site and select Edit. You can change both the username and password.
Consider using a Primary Password to protect all your saved logins from anyone who has access to your computer.
If you’re viewing a password to log in on another device, use the copy button instead of typing it manually—this avoids typos.
Firefox can generate strong passwords when you create new accounts. Look for the key icon in the password field.

Troubleshooting

Firefox asks for a Primary Password but you don’t remember setting one. You may have enabled it long ago and forgotten. There is no way to recover a Primary Password—it’s encrypted. You can reset it by deleting the key4.db and logins.json files in your Firefox profile folder, but this will remove all saved passwords. To do this, go to about:support, click “Open Folder” next to Profile Folder, close Firefox, and delete those two files. Restart Firefox and set a new Primary Password.

The eye icon doesn’t respond or nothing happens when you click it. This can happen if Firefox is not fully updated. Go to menu → Help → About Firefox and let it update. Then restart the browser and try again.

You see “No logins found” even though you know you saved passwords. This usually means you’re looking at the wrong profile. If you have multiple Firefox profiles, switch to the one where you saved the passwords. Go to about:profiles in the address bar to manage profiles.

Firefox doesn’t ask for your OS login and shows passwords immediately. This happens when the OS authentication setting is disabled. To enable it, go to Settings → Privacy & Security → scroll to “Logins and Passwords” and check the box for “Require Windows login” or “Require macOS login” (depending on your system).

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I view passwords on Firefox for Android or iOS?
A: Yes. On Android, tap the menu (three dots) → Settings → Logins and passwords. On iOS, tap the menu (three lines) → Logins and Passwords. Authentication may be required.

Q: Is it safe to view my passwords this way?
A: Yes, Firefox encrypts your saved passwords and only reveals them after you authenticate. Just be sure no one is looking at your screen when you reveal them.

Q: What happens if I forget my Primary Password?
A: You cannot recover it. You must reset it by deleting the encryption keys, which erases all saved passwords. After reset, you can start saving passwords again.

Q: Can I export all my passwords at once?
A: Yes. On the Logins and Passwords page, click the three-dot menu (⋯) at the bottom left and select “Export Logins.” You’ll be prompted to authenticate, then a CSV file downloads. Keep this file secure.

Q: Why does Firefox ask for my computer password when I have no Primary Password?
A: Firefox uses the operating system’s authentication to protect your saved passwords on Windows and macOS. This is a built-in security measure.

Q: Can I view passwords without entering any password?
A: No. Firefox requires at least one form of authentication (Primary Password or OS login) to display stored passwords. This is to prevent unauthorized access.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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