My dad has been using Linux Mint 22.3 for about a year, but over the past few months Firefox has started forgetting his Google and Gmail login. Every visit requires a full sign-in and 2FA, sometimes again only 20 minutes later. Firefox is not set to block cookies, and I cannot find any cookies for Gmail or other Google services in its storage list. Clearing cookies, restoring Firefox settings, and reinstalling the browser have not helped.
The problem began around the time he switched to a new phone running GrapheneOS, although his phone works normally and is often needed to approve the desktop sign-ins. Another user account on the same computer can stay logged into Gmail without any trouble, so the issue seems specific to his Firefox profile or account. Firefox has remained updated throughout. Has anyone seen this behavior, or know what could prevent Google's login session from being saved?
2 Answers
First, verify the exact Firefox version and check the profile’s privacy settings, extensions, and any automatic cleanup options. Since another account on the same computer works normally, comparing the two Firefox profiles may reveal a setting or extension that is clearing site data. Network conditions such as changing IP addresses or repeated CAPTCHA checks can also cause Google to invalidate sessions, though that seems less likely here.
Google login persistence depends on more than ordinary cookies; the browser also has to retain authentication and session data. If Firefox or an extension is deleting site data, using a strict protection mode, or treating the Google session as suspicious, the login token can be invalidated and 2FA will be required again. Check Firefox’s site-data deletion settings, protection level, extensions, and the account’s recent security activity. Testing with a completely new Firefox profile is also a useful way to separate a profile problem from an account or network problem.
That would explain why the account keeps getting logged out, but I have not enabled cookie blocking or automatic data deletion. A fresh profile and the account security history are probably the next things to check, since reinstalling Firefox alone may have preserved the old profile.
Mint is 22.3 and Firefox has been kept current. I also compared the situation with the other user account, and only my dad’s profile has the problem. There are occasional CAPTCHA prompts, but other computers on the same network do not repeatedly lose their Google sessions.