How to Transfer Your Google Chrome Bookmarks to Another Browser or Device

The fastest way to move your bookmarks

You can export your bookmarks from Chrome as an HTML file, then import that file into another browser or back into Chrome on a different device. The process takes about five minutes and preserves your folder structure. Chrome stores bookmarks in your Google account, so if you sign into the same account on another device, your bookmarks sync automatically — but exporting gives you a backup and works even if you're switching to a different browser entirely.

The method you choose depends on what you're doing. If you're moving to a new computer or phone and staying in Chrome, signing into your Google account is simplest — everything syncs without extra steps. If you're switching to Firefox, Safari, or Edge, or if you want a backup file you control, exporting and importing is the way to go.

Key Takeaways

Chrome bookmarks sync automatically across devices when you sign into your Google account, so you may not need to export anything.
To export bookmarks as a file, open Chrome settings, go to Bookmarks, then select "Export bookmarks" — this creates a single HTML file you can save anywhere.
To import bookmarks into Chrome or another browser, use the import option in that browser's settings and select your saved HTML file.
Exporting bookmarks is useful as a backup before switching browsers or if you want to move bookmarks to a device where you can't sign into your Google account.

Export bookmarks from Chrome on Windows or Mac

Open Chrome and click the three-line menu icon in the top right corner. Hover over "Bookmarks" to open the submenu, then click "Bookmark manager." In the Bookmark manager window, click the three-dot menu icon in the top right, then select "Export bookmarks." A dialog box appears asking where you want to save the file. Choose a location you'll remember — your Desktop or Downloads folder works well — and click "Save." Chrome creates an HTML file with a name like "bookmarks_[date].html" that contains all your bookmarks and folders.

On a Mac, the steps are identical. The three-line menu is in the same location, and the export option appears in the same place within Bookmark manager. The file saves to wherever you choose, and you can move it later if needed. The exported file is small — usually under 1 MB — so it's easy to email to yourself, store on a USB drive, or keep in cloud storage as a backup.

Export bookmarks from Chrome on Android or iPhone

Chrome on mobile devices does not have a built-in export feature. Instead, your bookmarks sync to your Google account automatically when you sign in. If you need a backup or want to move bookmarks to another device, sign into your Google account on a computer, export from there, and then you can transfer the file to your phone or share it however you need.

If you're switching phones and want to keep your bookmarks, simply sign into the same Google account on the new device. Chrome will sync your bookmarks within a few minutes. This is faster and simpler than exporting on mobile, and it keeps everything current across all your devices.

Import bookmarks into Chrome

Open Chrome and click the three-line menu, then hover over "Bookmarks" and select "Bookmark manager." Click the three-dot menu icon and choose "Import bookmarks." A file browser opens. Navigate to your saved HTML file and click "Open." Chrome imports all the bookmarks and folders from that file. If you're importing into a Chrome account that already has bookmarks, the new ones are added alongside the existing ones — Chrome does not delete anything.

If you want to replace your existing bookmarks entirely rather than add to them, delete your current bookmarks first. Open Bookmark manager, select all bookmarks (Ctrl+A on Windows, Command+A on Mac), delete them, then import the file. This is useful if you're moving from an old computer and want a clean start with only the bookmarks from your exported file.

Import bookmarks into Firefox, Safari, or Edge

Firefox: Click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right, select "Bookmarks," then "Manage Bookmarks." Click the menu icon within that window and select "Import and Backup," then "Restore from File." Choose your Chrome bookmarks HTML file and click "Open."

Safari on Mac: Click "File" in the menu bar, then "Import From" and select "Chrome Bookmarks." Safari opens a file browser. Navigate to your exported HTML file and click "Import." Your bookmarks appear in Safari's bookmarks menu and sidebar.

Microsoft Edge: Click the three-dot menu in the top right, select "Settings," then "Profiles" on the left sidebar. Click "Import browser data" and choose "Bookmarks and settings" from the dropdown. Select "Chrome" as the source, then click "Choose what to import." Check the box for "Favorites/Bookmarks" and click "Import." Edge can also import directly from Chrome if both browsers are installed, without needing the HTML file.

Use Google account sync instead of exporting

If you're staying within Chrome and simply moving to a different device, you do not need to export anything. Sign into your Google account on the new device, open Chrome, and your bookmarks appear automatically within a few minutes. This is the simplest method and keeps everything in sync — if you add a bookmark on one device, it shows up on all devices signed into that account.

To check that sync is working, click the three-line menu, go to "Settings," then click "Sync and Google services" on the left. Make sure "Sync is on" is toggled on and that "Bookmarks" is checked in the list of items to sync. If sync is off, click the toggle to turn it on. Sync works across Windows, Mac, Android, and iPhone as long as you're signed into the same Google account.

Troubleshooting common problems

If your bookmarks did not import, check that you selected the correct HTML file. The file should be named something like "bookmarks_[date].html" and should be fairly small — usually under 1 MB. If you accidentally deleted the file, you can export again from Chrome. Make sure the file is not corrupted by opening it in a text editor — it should start with text like "<!DOCTYPE NETSCAPE-Bookmark-file-1>" at the very top.

If bookmarks imported but appear in the wrong folder, check the "Other bookmarks" folder in your Bookmark manager. Chrome sometimes places imported bookmarks there if it cannot match them to existing folders. You can drag them to the correct location manually. If sync is not working between devices, sign out of your Google account in Chrome settings, then sign back in. This often fixes sync problems. If sync still does not work after signing back in, check your internet connection and make sure you're not in Incognito mode, which does not sync bookmarks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will exporting bookmarks delete them from Chrome?

No. Exporting creates a copy of your bookmarks as a file. Your original bookmarks stay in Chrome exactly as they were. You can export as many times as you want without affecting anything.

Can I export only certain bookmarks instead of all of them?

Chrome's export feature exports everything. If you want to move only specific bookmarks, you can manually copy them one at a time by right-clicking and selecting "Copy link," or you can export everything and then delete the ones you do not want after importing.

What if I forgot my Google account password and cannot sign into Chrome on a new device?

Export your bookmarks from your current device using the HTML file method, then import that file into Chrome on the new device. You can use Chrome without signing in, though you will not have sync across devices. Reset your Google password at accounts.google.com if you need to sign in later.

Do bookmarks in folders stay organized when I export and import them?

Yes. The HTML file preserves your entire folder structure. When you import, all folders and subfolders appear exactly as they were in the original Chrome browser.

Can I export bookmarks from an older version of Chrome?

Yes. The export feature works the same way in all recent versions of Chrome. If you are using a very old version, update Chrome first — click the three-line menu, go to "Settings," then "About Chrome" to check for updates.

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.