The fastest way to transfer Chrome bookmarks

You can move your Chrome bookmarks to another browser or device in about five minutes using Chrome's built-in export feature. The process works the same whether you're switching to Firefox, Safari, Edge, or moving to a new computer: export your bookmarks as an HTML file from the Chrome menu, then import that file into your new browser.

Chrome stores bookmarks in a format that most modern browsers understand, so you won't lose folder structure or organization. The export creates a single file you can email to yourself, save to a USB drive, or upload to cloud storage.

Key Takeaways

  • Export bookmarks from Chrome by opening the menu, selecting Bookmarks, then Export Bookmarks, and saving the file to your computer.
  • The exported file is an HTML document that any modern browser can read, so you can import it into Firefox, Safari, Edge, or another Chrome profile.
  • Importing bookmarks adds them to your new browser without deleting bookmarks already there, so you can combine bookmarks from multiple sources.
  • If you use Chrome on multiple devices and want them to stay in sync automatically, sign into the same Google account on each device instead of exporting and importing.

How to export bookmarks from Chrome

Open Chrome and click the three-dot menu in the top right corner. Hover over Bookmarks, then click Bookmark Manager. At the top of the Bookmark Manager window, click the three-dot menu again and select Export Bookmarks.

Chrome will open a "Save As" dialog. Choose where you want to save the file — your Desktop, Documents folder, or any location you can find later. The file will be named "bookmarks.html" by default. You can rename it if you want (for example, "Chrome_Bookmarks_2024.html"), but leave the .html extension unchanged. Click Save.

The file is now on your computer. You can email it to yourself, move it to a USB drive, or upload it to Google Drive or another cloud service if you need it on a different device.

How to import bookmarks into a new browser

The import process varies slightly by browser, but all modern browsers look for an import or restore option in their menu.

In Firefox: Click the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top right, select Bookmarks, then Manage Bookmarks. In the Bookmark Manager, click the menu button and select Import and Backup, then Import Bookmarks from HTML. Find and select your bookmarks.html file.

In Safari (Mac): Click File in the menu bar, then Import From, then Bookmarks HTML File. Select your bookmarks.html file. Safari will add them to a folder called "Imported" in your bookmarks.

In Microsoft Edge: Click the three-dot menu in the top right, select Bookmarks, then Import Bookmarks and Settings. Choose Bookmarks HTML file as the source, then select your file.

In another Chrome profile or computer: Open Chrome, click the three-dot menu, hover over Bookmarks, then click Bookmark Manager. Click the three-dot menu at the top and select Import Bookmarks. Find and select your bookmarks.html file.

What happens to bookmarks you already have

Importing bookmarks adds them to your browser without deleting bookmarks already there. If you import into a browser that already has bookmarks, both sets will remain. Imported bookmarks typically go into a folder called "Imported Bookmarks" or "Other Bookmarks" so you can see what came from the file.

You can move imported bookmarks to different folders by dragging them in the bookmark manager, or delete any you don't want. This means you can safely import bookmarks from multiple sources and organize them afterward.

Using Google account sync instead of exporting

If you use Chrome on multiple devices and want bookmarks to update automatically across all of them, sign into the same Google account on each device. Open Chrome, click your profile picture in the top right, and sign in with your Google account. In Settings, go to Sync and Google services and make sure Bookmarks is toggled on.

Any bookmark you add on one device will appear on all others within a few minutes. This is faster and easier than exporting and importing if you plan to keep using Chrome everywhere. However, if you're switching to a different browser, exporting is your only option.

Troubleshooting common problems

The import option is grayed out or missing: Make sure you're using the correct menu. In most browsers, the import option is in the main menu (three dots or lines), not in the address bar. If you still can't find it, try opening the bookmark manager first, then look for import there.

Bookmarks imported but folders are missing: Some browsers flatten bookmark folders during import. You can recreate folders manually in the bookmark manager, or accept that all bookmarks are in one list. Most browsers let you create new folders and drag bookmarks into them.

The bookmarks.html file won't open: Make sure the file extension is still .html and hasn't changed to .txt. If it did, right-click the file, select Rename, and change the extension back to .html. On Mac, you may need to use the "Get Info" window to change the file type.

You can't find where you saved the file: Open your browser's download folder (usually accessible from the menu or by pressing Ctrl+J on Windows or Cmd+Shift+J on Mac). If it's not there, check your Desktop or Documents folder. You can also search your computer for "bookmarks.html".

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer bookmarks from other browsers into Chrome?

Yes. Most browsers have an export option similar to Chrome's. Export bookmarks from your current browser as an HTML file, then import that file into Chrome using the process described above. Firefox, Safari, and Edge all support this.

Will my passwords transfer with my bookmarks?

No. The bookmarks.html file contains only bookmarks and folder structure, not passwords or login information. You'll need to save passwords separately or use your browser's password manager to transfer them. Most browsers have their own export and import tools for passwords.

What if I want to keep bookmarks on both my old and new browser?

You don't have to choose. Export from your old browser, import into your new one, and keep both browsers installed. Bookmarks will exist in both places. If you want them to stay in sync, you'd need to export and import again each time you add new bookmarks, or switch to using the same browser on both devices.

Can I import bookmarks into Chrome on my phone?

Chrome on Android and iPhone doesn't have an import option. Instead, sign into your Google account on your phone's Chrome app, and bookmarks will sync automatically from your computer. This is the only way to get bookmarks onto Chrome mobile.

Is the bookmarks.html file safe to share or store in the cloud?

Yes. The file contains only bookmark URLs and folder names, nothing sensitive like passwords or personal data. You can safely email it, store it on Google Drive, or keep it on a USB drive. However, if your bookmarks include private or sensitive URLs, treat the file with the same care you would any personal file.