How to Move Your Chrome Bookmarks to a New Computer

The fastest way to transfer Chrome bookmarks

The simplest method is to sign into your Google account on the new computer. When you open Chrome and log in with the same Google account you used on your old computer, your bookmarks sync automatically — usually within a few minutes. You do not need to export, download, or manually move anything. If you were already signed in on your old machine, your bookmarks are already stored in your Google account and waiting on the new one.

If you do not want to use a Google account, or if you need to transfer bookmarks to a different browser, you can export them as a file and import that file on the new computer. This takes a few more steps but gives you more control over what moves and where it goes.

Key Takeaways

Signing into your Google account on the new computer automatically syncs all your Chrome bookmarks within minutes.
You can export bookmarks as an HTML file from Chrome on your old computer and import that file into Chrome on the new one.
Exported bookmark files work with other browsers like Firefox and Edge, so you can move bookmarks between different programs.
If you are signed into Chrome but bookmarks are not syncing, check that sync is turned on in your Chrome settings.

Sign in to your Google account on the new computer

Open Chrome on your new computer. In the top right corner, click the profile icon (a circle with your initial or photo). Select Sign in to Chrome. Enter the email address and password for the Google account you used on your old computer, then follow the prompts to complete sign-in.

Once you are signed in, Chrome will begin syncing your bookmarks. This usually takes a few minutes. Your bookmarks appear in the same folders and order they were in on your old computer. If you have multiple profiles in Chrome, sign in with each account separately to sync bookmarks for each one.

Check that sync is actually running by clicking the profile icon again and looking for a message that says "Sync is on" or shows a checkmark. If you see a warning icon or a message saying sync is off, click it to turn sync back on.

Export bookmarks from your old computer as a file

If you want a backup or need to transfer bookmarks without signing in, you can export them. On your old computer, open Chrome and click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner. Go to Bookmarks, then select Bookmark manager.

In the Bookmark manager, click the menu icon (three dots) in the top right. Select Export bookmarks. Choose where to save the file — your Desktop or Downloads folder works well — and give it a name you will recognize. Chrome saves the file as an HTML document. This file contains all your bookmarks and folder structure.

Move this file to your new computer. You can email it to yourself, copy it to a USB drive, or use cloud storage like Google Drive or Dropbox. Once the file is on your new computer, you are ready to import it.

Import bookmarks into Chrome on the new computer

On your new computer, open Chrome and click the menu icon in the top right. Go to Bookmarks, then select Bookmark manager. Click the menu icon (three dots) in the top right and select Import bookmarks.

A file browser window opens. Navigate to the HTML file you exported from your old computer and select it. Click Open. Chrome imports all the bookmarks and recreates the folder structure. The bookmarks appear in a new folder called "Imported" at the top of your bookmarks list, or they may merge with existing bookmarks depending on your Chrome version.

Once imported, you can move bookmarks to different folders or delete the "Imported" folder if you prefer. Organizing them takes a few minutes but is optional — the bookmarks are already on your new computer and ready to use.

Transfer bookmarks to a different browser

The HTML export file works with other browsers. If you are switching from Chrome to Firefox, Edge, or Safari, you can import the same file into your new browser.

In Firefox, click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right, go to Bookmarks, and select Manage Bookmarks. Click the menu icon in the Bookmarks window and choose Import and Backup, then Import Bookmarks from HTML. Select your exported file and Firefox imports all the bookmarks.

In Microsoft Edge, click the menu icon (three dots) in the top right, go to Favorites, and select Manage favorites. Click the menu icon and choose Import bookmarks and settings. Select Chrome as the source and Edge will find your bookmarks automatically — you do not need the HTML file for Edge if you are importing from Chrome directly.

Troubleshoot bookmarks that are not syncing

If you signed into your Google account but bookmarks are not appearing, first check that sync is turned on. Click your profile icon in the top right of Chrome. If you see a warning icon or a message saying sync is off, click it to turn sync back on. Sometimes sync pauses if you have not used Chrome for a while.

Make sure you are signed in with the same Google account you used on your old computer. Click the profile icon and check the email address shown. If it is different, sign out and sign back in with the correct account.

If bookmarks still are not syncing after a few minutes, try restarting Chrome. Close all Chrome windows completely, then open Chrome again. Sync usually resumes within a few minutes of restart. If the problem continues, check your internet connection — sync requires an active connection to Google's servers.

Keep bookmarks backed up on your new computer

Once your bookmarks are on your new computer, consider exporting them again as a backup. This protects you if your computer fails or if you need to move bookmarks to another device in the future. Export bookmarks every few months if you add new ones regularly.

You can also turn on sync in Chrome settings to keep bookmarks backed up to your Google account automatically. This way, if something happens to your computer, your bookmarks are still safe in your Google account and can be restored on any device where you sign in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I lose bookmarks on my old computer when I export them?

No. Exporting creates a copy of your bookmarks in a file. Your bookmarks remain on your old computer unchanged. You can export as many times as you want without affecting the originals.

What if I have bookmarks in different Chrome profiles?

Each Chrome profile stores bookmarks separately. You need to export bookmarks from each profile individually, then import each file into the corresponding profile on your new computer. Sign into each profile on your new computer to sync bookmarks for that profile automatically.

Can I import bookmarks without erasing the ones I already have on the new computer?

Yes. When you import an HTML file, Chrome adds the bookmarks to what you already have rather than replacing them. Imported bookmarks usually go into a folder called "Imported" so you can organize them later.

How long does it take for bookmarks to sync after I sign in?

Syncing usually takes a few minutes, but can take longer if you have hundreds of bookmarks or a slow internet connection. If bookmarks have not appeared after 10 minutes, restart Chrome or check that sync is turned on in your settings.

What happens to my bookmarks if I sign out of Chrome?

Your bookmarks stay on your computer. Signing out stops syncing, so new bookmarks you add will not appear on other devices. Your existing bookmarks remain in Chrome until you delete them manually.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.