Export bookmarks from Mozilla Firefox

To move your bookmarks out of Firefox, you first export them as a file your computer can read. Open Firefox, click the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner, then select Bookmarks and Manage Bookmarks. This opens the Bookmark Manager in a new tab.

In the Bookmark Manager, click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) near the top right of the window. Select Export Bookmarks. Firefox will save your bookmarks as an HTML file to your Downloads folder. The file name will be something like "bookmarks-2024-01-15.html" — the date changes based on when you export.

This HTML file is a standard format that most browsers can read. Keep it somewhere you can find it, because you'll need it for the next step. If you're moving bookmarks to a different device, you can email this file to yourself, upload it to cloud storage, or transfer it via USB drive.

Key Takeaways

  • Firefox exports bookmarks as an HTML file through the Bookmark Manager menu, which you can then import into any other browser.
  • Most browsers (Chrome, Edge, Safari, Opera) have an import function that reads Firefox's HTML bookmark file directly.
  • Importing bookmarks replaces your existing bookmarks in the new browser, so back up any bookmarks you want to keep first.
  • If you're moving to a different device, email or upload the HTML file to yourself so you can download it on the new computer.

Import bookmarks into Chrome or Edge

Open Chrome or Edge and click the menu button (three dots) in the top right corner. Select Bookmarks, then Import bookmarks and settings. A window will open asking you to choose a file.

Click Choose File and navigate to the Firefox HTML bookmark file you exported. Select it and click Open. The browser will ask you which items to import — you can import bookmarks only, or also import passwords and other data if Firefox saved them. Choose what you want and click Import.

Your Firefox bookmarks will now appear in Chrome or Edge. They'll be organized in a folder called "Imported" or "Bookmarks from Firefox" depending on which browser you're using. You can move them to your main bookmarks bar or organize them however you prefer.

Import bookmarks into Safari

On a Mac, open Safari and click File in the menu bar at the top of the screen. Select Import From, then Firefox. Safari will automatically find your Firefox bookmarks and import them.

If you're on an iPhone or iPad, Safari doesn't have a direct import function. Instead, export your Firefox bookmarks to an HTML file, email the file to yourself, then open it on your Apple device. Safari will recognize it and offer to import the bookmarks.

Import bookmarks into Opera

Open Opera and click the menu button (the "O" icon) in the top left corner. Select Bookmarks, then Import bookmarks and settings. Choose Firefox from the list of browsers.

Opera will scan your computer for Firefox and automatically import your bookmarks. If it doesn't find Firefox, you can manually select the HTML file you exported. Your bookmarks will appear in Opera's bookmark manager under a folder labeled "Imported".

What happens to bookmarks when you import

When you import bookmarks into a new browser, they replace whatever bookmarks were already there. If you have bookmarks in the new browser that you want to keep, export them first and save them somewhere safe. You can always import them back later.

Imported bookmarks keep their folder structure and organization from Firefox. If you had bookmarks organized in folders like "Work" and "Personal," those folders will appear in the new browser the same way. Bookmark names, URLs, and any tags or descriptions stay intact.

Transfer bookmarks between devices

Export your bookmarks from Firefox on the first device and save the HTML file. Email it to yourself, upload it to Google Drive or Dropbox, or use any cloud storage service you have access to. On the new device, download the file and import it into your browser using the steps above.

If both devices have Firefox, you can use Firefox Sync instead. Sign in with a Firefox account on both computers, and your bookmarks will sync automatically without needing to export and import manually. Go to Settings in Firefox, click Sync, and sign in with your account.

Organize imported bookmarks

After importing, your bookmarks might be scattered across multiple folders or mixed with bookmarks you already had. Most browsers let you reorganize them by dragging and dropping. Open your bookmarks manager or bookmark bar, and you can move bookmarks between folders or delete ones you don't need.

In Chrome and Edge, right-click a bookmark to rename it, move it to a different folder, or delete it. In Safari, click Bookmarks in the menu bar and select Edit Bookmarks. In Opera, open the bookmark manager and use the same right-click options. Taking time to organize after importing makes your bookmarks easier to find later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will importing bookmarks delete my existing bookmarks in the new browser?

Yes, importing replaces your existing bookmarks. Before you import, export any bookmarks you want to keep from the new browser and save them separately. You can import them back afterward if needed.

Can I import bookmarks from Firefox to my phone?

On Android, Firefox has a built-in sync feature — sign in with a Firefox account and your bookmarks appear automatically. On iPhone, export your bookmarks as an HTML file, email it to yourself, open it on your phone, and Safari will offer to import them.

What if the import doesn't work?

Make sure you exported the bookmarks as an HTML file from Firefox, not as a different format. Check that the file isn't corrupted by opening it in a text editor — it should start with "<!DOCTYPE html>". If the file looks fine, try importing it again or restart the browser and try once more.

Do passwords get transferred when I import bookmarks?

No, bookmarks and passwords are separate. Most browsers can import passwords from Firefox, but you have to choose that option during import. Bookmarks alone won't include your saved passwords — you'll need to save those separately or use the browser's password import feature.

Can I import bookmarks from multiple browsers at once?

Most browsers let you import from one source at a time. If you want bookmarks from multiple browsers, export each one as an HTML file, then import them one at a time into your new browser. They'll all appear in your bookmarks, though they may be in separate folders.