Edge on Mac stuck on Initializing, passwords will not sync

Export the Mac’s locally saved passwords as a safety copy, then update Edge from 156.0.4314.50 to the latest Stable build before performing any sign-out, sync reset, or profile deletion.

1. Protect the Mac-only passwords

1. In Edge, open Settings and more (…) → Passwords.
2. Select the password list’s … menu, then Export passwords → Export.
3. Save the CSV temporarily in a secure location.

The CSV is unencrypted and exposes every password to anyone who can access it, so do not email or upload it; delete it securely after sync is restored.^1^

Verify that the CSV includes passwords created since mid-October. If it does, the unsynced records are preserved locally.

2. Install the newer Stable update

Although Edge was already updated, version 156.0.4314.50 is no longer the latest October Stable build. Microsoft released 156.0.4314.56 on October 29 and 156.0.4314.58 on October 30.^2^

1. Open Settings and more (…) → Help and feedback → About Microsoft Edge.
2. Allow Edge to install the newest offered Stable build.
3. Select Restart, then fully quit and reopen Edge.
4. Recheck edge://sync-internals.

The release notes describe .58 only as containing various bug and performance fixes; they do not identify it as a confirmed fix for this password-sync symptom. Signs of recovery would include Transport State leaving Initializing, data types beginning to run, and the Passwords toggle remaining enabled.

Microsoft’s current known-issues page does not list this sync symptom as a recognized high-impact Edge 156 issue.^3^

3. If it remains on Initializing

Do not repeat Re-sync, Stop Sync, or toggle changes—you have already tested those. Instead, collect these discriminating results:

1. Open edge://signin-internals.
   • Look for a Last Token Error or another current authentication error.
   • If present, capture the exact text and timestamp for support. Do not post account identifiers publicly.
2. Open edge://policy.
   • Search for SyncDisabled.
   • If it appears as enabled, the Mac is unexpectedly managed or has a local policy preventing sync. The person or software managing the Mac must remove that policy.
   • Also record any other policy whose name contains Sync.
3. In edge://sync-internals, inspect:
   • Credentials for token errors.
   • Type info for cryptographer error was encountered.
   • Environment Info for the sync server endpoint.
   • Capture screenshots of these sections plus Summary.

Microsoft documents these diagnostic pages and checks in its enterprise-sync article. That article targets Microsoft Entra environments, so its tenant licensing and administrator steps do not apply to your personal Microsoft account; only the generic sign-in, policy, endpoint, and diagnostic checks are relevant here.^4^

4. Rule out blocked sync connectivity

Microsoft documents the Edge sync service at https://edge.microsoft.com and cloud-messaging connections under https://*.cloudmessaging.edge.microsoft.com/ and wss://*.cloudmessaging.edge.microsoft.com/.^4^

Prefer testing the Mac on a trusted alternate network. If a VPN, proxy, DNS filter, firewall, or security web filter is present:

• Add a narrowly scoped temporary allow rule for the documented endpoints, if authorized.
• If disabling protection is the only available test, avoid unrelated browsing and downloads, perform only the sync test, and immediately re-enable protection.
• If sync starts, re-enable components one at a time to identify the blocker.

Opening edge.microsoft.com alone does not prove all sync connectivity is available because cloud-messaging connections are also involved.

5. Escalate without resetting data

If the newest build remains stuck and no policy or network blocker is identified, submit a new report from the affected Mac with diagnostics enabled:

1. Keep edge://sync-internals open.
2. Go to Settings and more (…) → Help and feedback → Send feedback.
3. Include screenshots and the earlier feedback date.
4. State explicitly: personal Microsoft account, macOS, Transport State Initializing, DataType Manager Stopped, Passwords Not Running, MSA Account Key Status Success, and reset/sign-out declined because Mac-only passwords must be preserved.
5. Include any token, cryptographer, policy, or endpoint result found above.

Microsoft also provides the public Microsoft Edge support route from its sync troubleshooting guidance.^4^

A sync reset should remain a last resort. If support ultimately requires it, retain the exported CSV until every Mac-only password has been restored and confirmed on another device.

References

1. Export passwords in Microsoft Edge | Microsoft Support
2. Microsoft Edge release notes for Stable Channel
3. Microsoft Edge known issues | Microsoft Learn
4. Diagnose and fix Microsoft Edge sync issues | Microsoft Learn