How to move your Chrome bookmarks
You can move your Chrome bookmarks to another browser, another computer, or another Chrome profile by exporting them as an HTML file and then importing that file into your new location. Chrome stores bookmarks in a format that most browsers understand, so the transfer usually takes just a few minutes. The process works the same whether you're switching to Firefox, Safari, Edge, or staying within Chrome on a different device.
The key is that you export first (which creates a backup file on your computer), then import second (which adds those bookmarks to the new browser). You'll do both steps yourself — there's no automatic sync option that works across different browsers, though Chrome does offer automatic sync if you're moving between Chrome installations on different devices.
Key Takeaways
- Export your bookmarks from Chrome by going to Settings > Bookmarks > Bookmark Manager, clicking the three-dot menu, and selecting "Export bookmarks."
- The export creates an HTML file on your computer that contains all your bookmarks and folders in a format other browsers can read.
- Import that HTML file into your new browser using its bookmark import feature, which is usually found in Settings or the menu bar.
- If you're moving between Chrome installations on different devices, you can use Chrome sync instead by signing into the same Google account.
Export bookmarks from Chrome
Open Chrome and click the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the top right corner. Select Bookmarks, then Bookmark Manager. This opens a new tab showing all your saved bookmarks organized by folder.
In the Bookmark Manager tab, click the three-dot menu icon in the top right. Select Export bookmarks. A dialog box appears asking you where to save the file. Choose a location you'll remember — your Desktop or Downloads folder works well. The file will be named something like "bookmarks_[date].html". Click Save.
That HTML file now contains every bookmark and folder you have in Chrome. You can close the Bookmark Manager tab. The file stays on your computer until you delete it, so you can import it multiple times if needed.
Import bookmarks into a different browser
The import process varies slightly by browser, but the basic idea is the same: find the import or bookmark settings, select the HTML file you just exported, and let the browser add those bookmarks to its collection.
Firefox: Click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right. Select Bookmarks, then Manage Bookmarks. In the window that opens, click the menu icon again and select Import and Backup, then Import Bookmarks from HTML. Navigate to your bookmarks HTML file and open it.
Safari (Mac): Click File in the menu bar, then Import From, then Chrome. Safari will find your Chrome bookmarks automatically. If you have an HTML file instead, click File, then Import Bookmarks, and select your HTML file.
Microsoft Edge: Click the three-dot menu in the top right. Select Settings, then Profiles, then Import browser data. Choose Bookmarks and select From an HTML file. Navigate to your bookmarks HTML file and open it.
Another Chrome installation: If you're moving to Chrome on a different computer or device, you don't need the HTML file. Instead, sign into your Google account in the new Chrome installation. Go to Settings, click You and Google, and make sure Sync is turned on. Chrome will automatically read all your bookmarks from your Google account.
Organize imported bookmarks
When you import bookmarks, they usually land in a new folder called "Imported" or "Bookmarks" at the top level of your bookmark list. You can leave them there, move them to existing folders, or delete duplicates if you already had some of the same bookmarks saved.
In most browsers, you can right-click a bookmark or folder and choose to move it, rename it, or delete it. Take a few minutes after importing to clean up the structure if needed — this is a good time to delete bookmarks you no longer use or reorganize folders that have grown messy.
Transfer bookmarks between Chrome profiles on the same computer
If you have multiple Chrome profiles on the same computer and want to copy bookmarks from one to another, the export-and-import method still works. Export from the first profile using the steps above, then switch to the second profile and import the HTML file.
Alternatively, if both profiles are signed into Google accounts and you have sync turned on for both, bookmarks will sync automatically to each account's cloud storage. This means if you add a bookmark in Profile A while signed into your Google account, it will appear in Profile B on the same computer if that profile is also signed into the same Google account and has sync enabled.
Troubleshoot common issues
If your imported bookmarks don't appear, check that the import actually completed. Some browsers show a confirmation message; others silently add the bookmarks to a folder. Look for an "Imported" folder or check your bookmark list for the folders and bookmarks from the HTML file.
If you're trying to sync bookmarks between Chrome installations and they're not appearing, make sure you're signed into the same Google account on both devices and that sync is turned on. Go to Settings > You and Google > Sync and Google services and confirm that Sync is on. It can take a few minutes for bookmarks to sync across devices.
If the HTML file is very large (thousands of bookmarks), some browsers may take longer to import or may time out. Try importing in smaller batches by exporting only certain folders, or try importing on a different browser to see if the issue is specific to one browser's import tool.
Keep your bookmarks backed up
Once you've exported your bookmarks as an HTML file, keep that file somewhere safe. You can store it on an external drive, in cloud storage like Google Drive, or straightforward keep it on your computer. This way, if you ever need to restore bookmarks or move them again, you have a backup that doesn't depend on your browser's cloud sync.
You can also export your bookmarks periodically — say, once a month or once a quarter — to create multiple backup versions. Label them with dates so you know which is most recent. This protects you if a bookmark gets accidentally deleted and you need to restore an older version.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my bookmarks sync automatically if I sign into Chrome on a new device?
Yes, if you sign into the same Google account and turn on sync, Chrome will read all your bookmarks to the new device within a few minutes. You don't need to export and import anything. This only works if both devices are using Chrome; if you're switching to a different browser, you'll need to export and import the HTML file.
Can I import bookmarks from another browser into Chrome?
Yes. Most browsers can export bookmarks as HTML, and Chrome can import from HTML files. Export from your current browser first, then open Chrome, go to Settings > Bookmarks > Bookmark Manager, click the three-dot menu, and select "Import bookmarks". Choose the HTML file from your previous browser.
What happens to my bookmarks if I uninstall Chrome?
If you're signed into a Google account with sync turned on, your bookmarks stay in your Google account and will reappear when you reinstall Chrome and sign back in. If you're not using sync, your bookmarks are deleted when you uninstall. Exporting an HTML backup before uninstalling protects you in this case.
Can I merge bookmarks from two different Chrome accounts?
Not automatically. Export bookmarks from the first account as an HTML file, then import that file into the second account. The imported bookmarks will appear in a new folder. You can then move them to the folders where you want them.
Do imported bookmarks keep their folder structure?
Yes. When you export bookmarks from Chrome, all your folders and subfolders are included in the HTML file. When you import into another browser, the folder structure usually comes with them, though some browsers may place them in an "Imported" folder at the top level. You can reorganize them after importing if needed.