Feature Request: Optional account system for Brave Sync (bookmark and data recovery)
Summary
I’d like Brave to offer an optional account (for example, email-based) that backs up and restores synced data like bookmarks, similar to how a Firefox Account works.
The problem
Brave Sync works with a sync code, which is great for privacy. But it creates some problems for regular users:
- If I lose or reset all my devices, I can lose my bookmarks permanently.
- Losing or forgetting the sync code makes recovery very hard or impossible.
- Setting up a new device means finding and entering a long code, which is confusing for non-technical users.
- Many people expect to “just sign in” to get their data back, like in Firefox or Chrome.
Proposed solution
Add an optional account system alongside the existing sync-code method:
- Users can create a Brave account with an email and password.
- Bookmarks, settings, and other synced data are backed up to that account.
- A new device can restore everything by signing in.
- Data stays end-to-end encrypted, so Brave cannot read it. This keeps the privacy model.
- Users who prefer the current sync-code system can keep using it unchanged.
Why this matters
- Data safety: Prevents permanent loss of bookmarks.
- Easier onboarding: Switching devices or browsers is simpler.
- Competitive parity: Firefox and Chrome both offer account-based recovery.
- Opt-in: Privacy-focused users are not affected.
Possible concerns
- Account systems add some privacy and security risk. This could be reduced with end-to-end encryption, no required personal info, and opt-in only.
- Password recovery must not weaken the encryption. A recovery key could help here.
Questions for the community and staff
- Is something like this already planned or being discussed?
- Is there a recommended way to back up Brave Sync data today?
Thanks for reading, and I’d love to hear your thoughts!