How to export and move your Firefox bookmarks
Firefox stores your bookmarks in an HTML file that you can export, then import into another browser or Firefox installation. The process takes about five minutes and works whether you're switching to Chrome, Safari, Edge, or moving to a new computer. You export from Firefox first, then import the file into your destination browser — the file itself is portable and works across Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Your bookmarks stay in Firefox until you delete them. Exporting creates a copy; it doesn't remove anything from your current browser. This means you can export to multiple places or test the import before committing to a switch.
Key Takeaways
- Firefox exports bookmarks as an HTML file through the Library window, which you can then import into any major browser.
- The export file is a single document you can email, store on a USB drive, or upload to cloud storage to move between devices.
- Most browsers — Chrome, Safari, Edge, Opera — have an import function that reads Firefox's HTML format directly.
- Exporting does not delete your bookmarks from Firefox; it creates a backup copy that exists separately.
- If you use Firefox Sync, your bookmarks already sync across devices signed into the same Mozilla account without needing to export.
Export bookmarks from Firefox on Windows or Mac
Open Firefox and press Ctrl+Shift+B on Windows or Cmd+Shift+B on Mac. This opens the Bookmarks Sidebar on the left side of your window. At the top of the sidebar, click the star icon with three horizontal lines (the menu button), then select Export Bookmarks.
A file browser window opens. Choose where you want to save the HTML file — your Desktop, Documents folder, or a USB drive all work. Name the file something you'll recognize, like "Firefox Bookmarks" or "My Bookmarks Backup". Click Save. Firefox creates the file when ready; you don't need to wait for anything to finish.
The file is now ready to move or import. If you're transferring to another device, copy this file to that computer using email, cloud storage, or a USB drive. If you're importing into a different browser on the same computer, you can proceed directly to the import step.
Import bookmarks into Chrome, Safari, or Edge
Chrome: Open Chrome and click the three-dot menu in the top right. Select Bookmarks, then Import bookmarks and settings. Choose Firefox from the dropdown menu, then click Select file and navigate to your exported HTML file. Chrome imports the bookmarks into a new folder called "Imported from Firefox".
Safari: Open Safari and click File in the menu bar, then Import From, then Firefox. Navigate to your exported HTML file and click Import. Safari places the bookmarks in a folder named "Firefox" in your Bookmarks menu.
Edge: Open Edge and click the three-dot menu in the top right. Select Bookmarks, then Import bookmarks and settings. Choose Firefox from the dropdown, click Select file, and open your HTML file. Edge creates a folder called "Imported from Firefox" in your bookmarks.
All three browsers read Firefox's HTML format without any conversion needed. The bookmarks appear in your new browser within seconds of selecting the file.
Transfer bookmarks to a new Firefox installation
If you're moving to a new computer or reinstalling Firefox on the same machine, you can import your exported bookmarks back into Firefox. Open Firefox, press Ctrl+Shift+B (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+B (Mac), then click the menu button in the Bookmarks Sidebar. Select Import Bookmarks from HTML, navigate to your exported file, and click Open.
Firefox imports the bookmarks into a folder called "Imported Bookmarks" in your Bookmarks Menu. You can move individual bookmarks out of this folder and into your main bookmark structure, or leave them there. Deleting the "Imported Bookmarks" folder does not delete the original file on your computer.
Use Firefox Sync to move bookmarks across devices automatically
If you own multiple devices and want your bookmarks to stay in sync without manual export and import, Firefox Sync handles this automatically. Sign into a Mozilla account on Firefox, and your bookmarks sync to any other device where you sign into the same account.
To set up Sync, click the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top right of Firefox, then click your profile icon or Sign in to Firefox. Create a Mozilla account or sign into an existing one. On your other devices, sign into the same account in Firefox, and your bookmarks appear within a few minutes.
Sync keeps your bookmarks updated in real time across devices. If you add a bookmark on your phone, it appears on your laptop automatically. This is different from export and import, which creates a one-time copy. Sync is useful if you regularly use Firefox on multiple devices.
Organize imported bookmarks in your new browser
Most browsers place imported Firefox bookmarks in a single folder to keep them separate from your existing bookmarks. You can move them into your main bookmark structure, delete duplicates if you had bookmarks in both browsers, or leave them in the import folder.
In Chrome, right-click the "Imported from Firefox" folder and select Edit to rename it or move bookmarks out. In Safari, open the Bookmarks menu and drag bookmarks from the "Firefox" folder into other folders. In Edge, use the Bookmarks Manager (Ctrl+Shift+B) to organize the imported folder.
If you had the same bookmarks in both Firefox and your new browser, you now have duplicates. Most browsers don't have a built-in duplicate finder, so you'll need to delete them manually by right-clicking and selecting delete or remove.
Troubleshoot common export and import problems
If the export button doesn't appear in your Bookmarks Sidebar, make sure the sidebar is actually open. Press Ctrl+Shift+B or Cmd+Shift+B again to toggle it. If it's still not visible, try restarting Firefox.
If your new browser doesn't recognize the HTML file during import, check that the file extension is actually .html and not .txt. Some computers hide file extensions by default. Right-click the file, select Properties (Windows) or Get Info (Mac), and verify the full filename ends in .html. If it ends in .txt, rename it to add the .html extension.
If bookmarks import but appear in the wrong order or with missing folder structure, this is normal — Firefox's folder hierarchy doesn't always transfer perfectly to other browsers. You can manually recreate folders in your new browser and move bookmarks into them, or use a bookmark manager tool designed for this purpose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I export bookmarks from Firefox on my phone?
Firefox for Android and iOS don't have a built-in export function. If you use Firefox Sync on your phone, your bookmarks sync to your desktop Firefox automatically. From there, you can export them using the steps above. Alternatively, sign into your Mozilla account on a desktop computer where Firefox is installed, and your phone bookmarks appear there within minutes.
What happens to my bookmarks in Firefox after I export them?
Your bookmarks stay in Firefox exactly as they were. Exporting creates a copy in an HTML file; it doesn't remove or change anything in your browser. You can export multiple times, and each export creates a fresh copy of your current bookmarks at that moment.
Can I import bookmarks from other browsers into Firefox?
Yes. Open Firefox, press Ctrl+Shift+B (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+B (Mac), click the menu button in the Bookmarks Sidebar, and select Import Bookmarks from HTML. Most other browsers can export to HTML format, which Firefox can then read. Check your current browser's settings or help section for its export option.
Is my exported bookmark file find?
The HTML file is plain text and contains only bookmark URLs and titles — no passwords or login information. However, if someone gains access to the file, they can see every website you've bookmarked. Store exported files in a find location, and delete old backups once you've confirmed the import worked.
Do I need to delete the exported HTML file after importing?
No. The file is just a backup copy. You can keep it for future reference, store it on a USB drive as a permanent backup, or delete it once you've confirmed the bookmarks imported correctly. Deleting the file doesn't affect the bookmarks in your browser.