Moving Your Bookmarks to a New Browser or Computer

How to move bookmarks between browsers and devices

Moving bookmarks from one browser to another, or from an old computer to a new one, works differently depending on which browser you use and where you're moving them to. The fastest method is to export your bookmarks as a file from your current browser, then import that file into the new one. Most browsers store this option in their settings menu under a name like "Bookmarks" or "Import and Export." If you're moving between the same browser on a new computer — say, Chrome to Chrome — you can also sign into your account and let the browser sync them automatically.

The process takes about five minutes and doesn't require any special software. You'll end up with all your saved links in the right place, organized the way you had them before.

Key Takeaways

Export bookmarks as an HTML or backup file from your current browser, then import that file into your new browser to move them all at once.
Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari all support importing bookmarks from other browsers through their settings menu.
If you're staying in the same browser, signing into your account on a new computer will sync your bookmarks automatically without any manual steps.
Bookmark files are small and safe to email to yourself or store on a USB drive if you're moving between computers.

Export bookmarks from Chrome

Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select "Bookmarks" from the menu, then click "Bookmark manager." At the top of the Bookmark manager window, click the three dots again and select "Export bookmarks." Choose where you want to save the file — your Desktop or Downloads folder works fine — and click "Save." The file will be named "bookmarks_[date].html" and contains all your bookmarks and folders.

If you're moving to a new computer, email this file to yourself or save it to a USB drive so you can access it on the other machine. The file is small, usually less than 1 MB, so it won't take up much space.

Export bookmarks from Firefox

Open Firefox and click the hamburger menu (three horizontal lines) in the top right. Select "Bookmarks," then click "Manage Bookmarks" to open the Library window. In the Library, click "Import and Backup" at the top, then select "Backup." Choose a location to save the file — Desktop or Downloads is easiest — and Firefox will create a file with a name like "bookmarks-2024-01-15.json." This file contains all your bookmarks in Firefox's native format.

You can also export bookmarks as an HTML file instead, which works with more browsers. In the same "Import and Backup" menu, select "Export Bookmarks to HTML" instead of "Backup," and Firefox will save a file you can open in any browser.

Export bookmarks from Safari

Open Safari and click "File" in the menu bar at the top of the screen. Select "Export Bookmarks" and choose where to save the file. Safari will create an HTML file that you can import into any other browser. If you're moving to a new Mac and you're signed into the same iCloud account, your bookmarks will sync automatically — you don't need to export them manually.

On an iPhone or iPad, bookmarks sync through iCloud as long as you're signed in with the same Apple ID. There's no export option on mobile devices, but your bookmarks will appear automatically on any new device you sign into.

Export bookmarks from Edge

Open Microsoft Edge and click the three dots in the top right corner. Select "Bookmarks," then click "Bookmark manager." In the Bookmark manager, click the three dots at the top and select "Export bookmarks." Choose where to save the file and click "Save." Edge will create an HTML file with all your bookmarks that you can import into any other browser.

If you're moving to a new Windows computer and you sign into your Microsoft account in Edge, your bookmarks will sync automatically. You don't need to export them unless you're switching to a different browser.

Import bookmarks into your new browser

Once you have your bookmarks file, open the browser where you want to import them. In Chrome, click the three dots, select "Bookmarks," then click "Import bookmarks." Select your bookmarks file and click "Open." In Firefox, click the hamburger menu, select "Bookmarks," then "Import and Backup," and choose "Restore." Select your backup file or HTML file and Firefox will add all the bookmarks to your browser.

In Safari, click "File" and select "Import From," then choose the HTML file you exported. In Edge, click the three dots, select "Bookmarks," then "Import bookmarks," and select your file. All your bookmarks will appear in the Bookmarks menu or sidebar, organized in the same folders they were in before.

Use browser sync instead of exporting

If you're moving to a new computer and staying in the same browser, you don't need to export bookmarks at all. Sign into your account in the new browser and turn on sync. In Chrome, click your profile picture in the top right and make sure "Sync is on." In Firefox, click the hamburger menu, select "Settings," then "Sync," and sign in with your Firefox account. In Safari, go to System Preferences (or Settings on newer Macs), click "iCloud," and make sure "Safari" is checked. In Edge, click the three dots, select "Settings," then "Profiles," and sign in with your Microsoft account.

Sync usually takes a few minutes to pull all your bookmarks from the cloud. This method is faster than exporting and importing if you're staying in the same browser, because you don't have to manage any files.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I move bookmarks from one browser to a completely different one?

Yes. Export your bookmarks as an HTML file from your current browser — all browsers support this — then import that HTML file into the new browser. HTML is a universal format that every major browser can read, so you won't lose any bookmarks in the switch.

What happens to my bookmark folders when I import them?

Your folders come over exactly as they were. If you had a folder called "Recipes" with 20 bookmarks inside, that folder and all 20 bookmarks will appear in your new browser with the same name and organization.

Can I move bookmarks from my phone to my computer?

On iPhone or iPad, bookmarks sync through iCloud, so they'll appear automatically on your Mac or iPad if you're signed into the same Apple account. On Android, you can sign into your Google account in Chrome and your bookmarks will sync to any computer where you sign in. There's no direct export option on mobile, but account sync handles it for you.

Is my bookmarks file safe to email to myself?

Yes. A bookmarks file is just a text file with links — it doesn't contain passwords or sensitive information. You can safely email it to yourself, save it to cloud storage, or put it on a USB drive without any security risk.

What if I want to keep bookmarks in both browsers?

Import the bookmarks file into the new browser without deleting it from the old one. Both browsers will have the same bookmarks, and they'll stay separate unless you turn on sync. If you turn on sync later, the browsers will stay in sync automatically.

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.