Migrating from Chrome to Firefox under Ubuntu 26.04: my tossing experience

Recently, on Ubuntu 26.04, the memory usage problem of Chrome has become more and more serious, often approaching or even more than 10GB, which makes me have to consider switching to Firefox. However, there are many pits during the migration process, especially the problem of Snap version of Firefox and the problem of unable to import passwords. This article records the whole process of my problem solving, and I hope to help friends who also encounter these problems.

First, the original question: the trap of firefox in the Snap version

Initially, I thought it would be fine just use the Snap version of Firefox installed by default. This version runs in the sandbox and cannot directly access the chrome configuration file, resulting in data import failure. To make matters worse, the Snap version of Firefox’s resource usage is not small.

So, I decided to completely uninstall the Snap version of Firefox and install the Deb version of Firefox.

The final solution: the right command

After some tossing, the following is the complete command, and finally the chrome data can be successfully imported. Here is the complete command, you can copy the execution directly:

# 1. 卸载 Snap 版 Firefox
sudo snap remove --purge firefox
# 2. 卸载 Ubuntu 官方的 Firefox 过渡包
sudo apt purge firefox firefox-locale-*
# 3. 添加 Mozilla Team PPA 源
sudo add-apt-repository -y ppa:mozillateam/ppa
# 4. 设置 APT 优先级，确保从 PPA 安装 deb 版 Firefox
echo 'Package: firefox*
Pin: release o=LP-PPA-mozillateam
Pin-Priority: 1001
Package: firefox*
Pin: release o=Ubuntu
Pin-Priority: -1' | sudo tee /etc/apt/preferences.d/mozilla-firefox
# 5. 更新软件包列表
sudo apt update
# 6. 安装 deb 版 Firefox
sudo apt install firefox

After executing the correct command and restarting the computer, you can finally import Chrome data.

3. Data import is successful

Data import was successful, bookmarks, history and extensions were successfully migrated.

However, in the actual use process, it was found that the account and password were not imported.

4. Password migration: CSV transit method

1. Export password to CSV in Chrome

Open Chrome → Settings → Autofill and Password → Google Password Management Tool → Settings → export password. As follows

2. Import CSV password in Firefox

• Open about:logins(Firefox password manager).
• Three menus in the upper right corner → Import from a file….
• Select the exported chrome password .csv file and import it directly.
  

5. The direct import is completed, and the password is successfully migrated

The password is successfully migrated, and now you can use Chrome’s account and password in Firefox.

6. Summary

Through this toss, I learned:

1. Snap version of Firefox has limitations: The Chrome configuration file cannot be accessed directly, and the resource usage is not small.
2. DEB version of Firefox is more practical: Can directly access the chrome configuration file, the resource usage is smaller. Now open 4 windows, 50 tabs, and the memory usage is about 5 GB (Note: If after importing, the memory usage may be very high at the beginning, and the usage will drop significantly after restarting the browser).
3. Password migration requires manual operation: Firefox cannot automatically import Chrome passwords on Linux, you must pass the CSV file.
   I hope my experience can help friends who also encounter these problems and avoid detours!