How to Move Your Chrome Bookmarks to Another 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 use on your current computer, your bookmarks sync automatically within a few minutes. You do not need to export or import anything — Google handles the transfer in the background.

If you prefer not to sign in, or if you need the bookmarks on a computer that will not use that Google account, you can export your bookmarks as an HTML file from your current computer, then import that file on the new one. This takes about five minutes total and works even if the two computers never share a Google account.

Key Takeaways

Signing into your Google account on the new computer automatically syncs all your bookmarks within minutes, with no manual steps required.
If you do not want to use your Google account on the new computer, export bookmarks as an HTML file on the old one, then import the file on the new one.
Exported bookmark files are plain text and can be stored on a USB drive, email, or cloud storage to move between computers.
Chrome bookmarks include your entire bookmark structure — folders, subfolders, and the order you organized them in.

Syncing bookmarks through your Google account

Open Chrome on your new computer and click the profile icon in the top right corner. Select "Sign in to Chrome" and enter the email address and password for the Google account you use on your current computer. Chrome will ask whether you want to sync your data — make sure the checkbox next to "Bookmarks" is checked, then click "Sync".

Your bookmarks will appear in the new browser within a few minutes. If they do not show up right away, wait a moment and refresh the page, or close and reopen Chrome. This method keeps your bookmarks synchronized across all devices that use the same Google account, so changes you make on one computer will appear on the others automatically.

Exporting bookmarks as an HTML file

On your current computer, open Chrome and click the three-line menu icon in the top right. Go to "Bookmarks" and then "Bookmark manager". At the top of the Bookmark manager window, click the three-dot menu icon and select "Export bookmarks". Choose where to save the file — your Desktop, Documents folder, or a USB drive all work well — and give it a name you will recognize, like "Chrome_Bookmarks_Backup".

Chrome saves the file as an HTML document. This file contains all your bookmarks, folders, and the order you organized them in. You can email this file to yourself, save it to a cloud storage service like Google Drive, or copy it to a USB drive to move it to the new computer.

Importing bookmarks on the new computer

On your new computer, open Chrome and click the three-line menu icon. Go to "Bookmarks" and then "Bookmark manager". Click the three-dot menu icon at the top and select "Import bookmarks". A file browser will open — navigate to the HTML file you exported from your old computer and click "Open".

Chrome will import all the bookmarks from the file. They will appear in a folder called "Imported" at the top of your bookmark list. You can move individual bookmarks or the entire folder to different locations by dragging them, or delete the "Imported" folder and organize the bookmarks however you prefer.

What happens to bookmark folders and organization

Whether you sync through your Google account or export and import an HTML file, Chrome preserves your entire bookmark structure. All the folders you created, subfolders within those folders, and the order of your bookmarks stay exactly as they were. If you had a folder called "Work Sites" with ten bookmarks inside it, that folder and all ten bookmarks will appear on the new computer in the same arrangement.

The only difference is that imported bookmarks land in an "Imported" folder first. You can drag the contents out to your main bookmark bar or other folders, or leave them in the "Imported" folder if you prefer to keep them separate from bookmarks you add on the new computer.

Moving bookmarks between different browsers

If you are switching to a different browser entirely — Firefox, Safari, Edge, or another option — the process is similar but not identical. Export your bookmarks from Chrome as an HTML file using the steps above. Most other browsers have an import function in their bookmark manager that can read Chrome's HTML format. Open the bookmark manager in your new browser, look for an "Import" option, and select the HTML file you exported.

Some browsers may organize the imported bookmarks slightly differently or place them in a specific folder. Check your new browser's bookmark manager after importing to see where the bookmarks landed, and move them if needed.

Troubleshooting bookmarks that do not appear

If you signed into your Google account but your bookmarks did not sync, make sure you are signed into the same account on both computers. Go to your profile icon in Chrome and check which email address is shown. If it is different, sign out and sign back in with the correct account. Also check that sync is turned on: click your profile icon, select "Sync and Google services", and make sure the toggle next to "Sync is on" is blue.

If you imported an HTML file but the bookmarks do not appear, open the Bookmark manager and look for a folder called "Imported" — the bookmarks may have landed there instead of in your main bookmark bar. If the file did not import at all, make sure the file is still in the location where you saved it, and try importing again. If the file was moved or deleted, you will need to export the bookmarks again from your original computer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my bookmarks sync automatically if I use the same Google account on two computers?

Yes. Once you sign into Chrome with your Google account on both computers and sync is enabled, bookmarks will sync automatically. Any new bookmarks you add on one computer will appear on the other within a few minutes, and deletions will sync too.

Can I export bookmarks without signing into a Google account?

Yes. You do not need a Google account to export bookmarks. Open the Bookmark manager, click the three-dot menu, and select "Export bookmarks". The file saves to your computer regardless of whether you are signed in.

What if I want to keep my old bookmarks and add new ones on the new computer?

Import the HTML file on the new computer — your old bookmarks will appear in an "Imported" folder. Any new bookmarks you add after that will stay separate. If you are using the same Google account on both computers, both old and new bookmarks will sync across devices.

Can I export bookmarks from Chrome and import them into Firefox?

Yes. Export your bookmarks as an HTML file from Chrome, then open Firefox's bookmark manager, look for an import option, and select the HTML file. Firefox can read Chrome's bookmark format and will import all your bookmarks and folders.

Is the HTML bookmark file secure to email or store in cloud storage?

The HTML file contains only bookmark URLs and folder names — no passwords or sensitive data. It is safe to email or store in cloud storage. However, if your bookmarks include private or work-related URLs you do not want others to see, treat the file as you would any other document containing that information.

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.