713324 - Not Possible to Setup Sync Per Displayed Instructions

Status: RESOLVED WORKSFORME

(Firefox :: Sync, defect)

Description

[Michael Coates [:mcoates] (acct no longer active)]

It is not possible to setup sync by following the displayed instructions.

Note: This is a first time sync setup between two laptop machines.  I already have a valid username and password but don't currently have Sync setup between any machines.

Steps taken:
1. Computer A - Firefox->Preferences->Sync->"Set Up Firefox Sync"
2. Computer A - "I already have a Firefox Sync Account" - Clicked "Connect"
3. Computer A - Add a Device screen displayed with code values.
I see the instructions on this page that say :
"To activate, go to Sync Options on your other device and select "Add a Device"
There is even a link to the following support page: https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/add-a-device-to-firefox-sync

4. Computer B - Firefox->Preferences->Sync
There is no option for "Add a Device". The only option present is to "Set up Firefox Sync" Clicking on this button simply shows me the options to "Create a new account" or "connect" if I already have an account.
5. Since I do have an account, I click "Connect". Now I see "Add a Device" on Computer B, just like I see on Computer A.

Hopefully the confusion here is clear. There is no place to actually enter the code on the other computer.  The help link refers to an out of date gui. In this scenario the "Add A Device" link showed in the help page does not actually exist for the user.

https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/add-a-device-to-firefox-sync

Comment 1

[Philipp von Weitershausen [:philikon]]

(In reply to Michael Coates [:mcoates] from comment #0)
> It is not possible to setup sync by following the displayed instructions.
> 
> Note: This is a first time sync setup between two laptop machines.  I
> already have a valid username and password but don't currently have Sync
> setup between any machines.
> 
> Steps taken:
> 1. Computer A - Firefox->Preferences->Sync->"Set Up Firefox Sync"
> 2. Computer A - "I already have a Firefox Sync Account" - Clicked "Connect"
> 3. Computer A - Add a Device screen displayed with code values.
> I see the instructions on this page that say :
> "To activate, go to Sync Options on your other device and select "Add a
> Device"
> There is even a link to the following support page:
> https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/add-a-device-to-firefox-sync
> 
> 4. Computer B - Firefox->Preferences->Sync
> There is no option for "Add a Device". The only option present is to "Set up
> Firefox Sync" Clicking on this button simply shows me the options to "Create
> a new account" or "connect" if I already have an account.
> 5. Since I do have an account, I click "Connect". Now I see "Add a Device"
> on Computer B, just like I see on Computer A.

6. Now you go to "I'm not not near my other computer" and enter your credentials manually.

> Hopefully the confusion here is clear. There is no place to actually enter
> the code on the other computer.

Right. Because none of your computers are currently Sync-enabled yet you have an account. This is a somewhat unusual scenario for device pairing. Really, device pairing isn't meant for this scenario at all.

> The help link refers to an out of date gui.

Not really. AFAICT the help link accurately describes the currently released UI. The UI in Firefox 10 and up (currently Beta and up) is a bit different, but essentially the same: 

> In this scenario the "Add A Device" link showed in the help page does not
> actually exist for the user.
> 
> https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/add-a-device-to-firefox-sync

There's no inaccuracy here AFAICT. The help page simply assumes that "the other computer" has Sync set up. This is kind of important, and IMHO also logical, for pairing. In Firefox 10 and up we're therefore also calling it "Pair a Device" instead of "Add a Device".

I'm not sure what the bug is here. Perhaps we should say "Manually enter my credentials" instead of "I'm not near my other computer" in step 6 above? Would that have been clearer?

Comment 2

[Richard Newman [:rnewman]]

Pretty sure the UX rework touched this.