How to export bookmarks from Mozilla Firefox
Mozilla Firefox stores your bookmarks in an HTML file that you can save to your computer, then import into another browser or Firefox installation. The fastest way is to use Firefox's built-in export feature, which takes about two minutes and creates a single file you can move anywhere.
Open Firefox and select the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner. Click Bookmarks, then Manage Bookmarks. A new window opens showing your bookmark library. At the top of that window, click the gear icon, then select Export Bookmarks to HTML. Firefox will ask you where to save the file — choose your Desktop or Documents folder so you can find it easily. The file will be named something like "bookmarks-2024-01-15.html".
If you want to back up only certain folders instead of everything, you can right-click any folder in the bookmark library and select Export. This creates a separate HTML file containing just that folder and its contents.
Key Takeaways
- Firefox exports bookmarks as an HTML file using the menu button, then Bookmarks, then Manage Bookmarks, then the gear icon.
- The exported file can be imported into Chrome, Edge, Safari, or another Firefox installation on a different device.
- You can export all bookmarks at once or select individual folders to back up only what you need.
- The HTML file is plain text and will not sync automatically — you must manually import it into each new browser or device.
- Firefox also offers automatic syncing through Firefox Sync if you want bookmarks to update across devices without manual export and import.
Importing bookmarks into Chrome, Edge, or Safari
Once you have exported your Firefox bookmarks as an HTML file, you can bring them into any major browser. Each browser has its own import process, but all of them look for that same HTML file.
In Google Chrome, click the menu button (three vertical dots) in the top right, select Bookmarks, then Import bookmarks and settings. Choose the HTML file you exported from Firefox. Chrome will create a folder called "Imported" and place all your bookmarks inside it. You can then move individual bookmarks or folders to your main bookmark bar if you want.
In Microsoft Edge, click the menu button (three horizontal dots) in the top right, select Favorites, then Manage favorites, then Import favorites. Select the HTML file. Edge will ask which browser you are importing from — select Firefox if it appears, or HTML file if it does not. Your bookmarks will appear in a new folder.
In Safari on Mac, click File in the menu bar, then Import From, then Bookmarks HTML File. Select your Firefox HTML file. Safari will add the bookmarks to your Bookmarks menu. On iPad or iPhone, Safari does not have a direct import feature — you would need to use iCloud to sync bookmarks from a Mac instead.
Transferring bookmarks to a new Firefox installation
If you are moving to a different computer or reinstalling Firefox on the same one, you can restore your bookmarks by importing the HTML file back into Firefox. This is useful if you want to keep everything exactly as it was, including folder structure and organization.
In the new Firefox installation, open the menu button, select Bookmarks, then Manage Bookmarks. Click the gear icon and select Import Bookmarks from HTML. Choose the HTML file you exported earlier. Firefox will add all the bookmarks to a folder called "Imported" in your Bookmarks menu. You can then move them to your main bookmark bar or organize them however you prefer.
Alternatively, if you have access to the old computer while it is still running Firefox, you can copy the entire Firefox profile folder, which contains bookmarks, history, passwords, and settings all together. This is more complex and requires navigating hidden folders on your hard drive, so the export-and-import method is usually simpler for most people.
Using Firefox Sync to keep bookmarks updated across devices
If you own multiple devices and want your bookmarks to stay in sync automatically without manually exporting and importing, Firefox Sync does this for you. When you sign in with a Firefox account on each device, any bookmark you add on one device appears on all the others within a few minutes.
To set up Firefox Sync, click the menu button in the top right, then click your profile icon or Sign in to Firefox. Create a Firefox account or sign in with an existing one. Firefox will ask which data you want to sync — make sure Bookmarks is checked. Once you sign in on a second device with the same account, that device will read all your bookmarks automatically.
Firefox Sync is encrypted, which means Mozilla cannot read your bookmarks even though they are stored on Mozilla's servers. If you forget your Firefox account password, you will lose access to your synced data, so keep your password somewhere safe. You can also turn off sync at any time by signing out of your Firefox account.
What to do if bookmarks do not import correctly
Sometimes bookmarks fail to import because the HTML file is corrupted, the browser version is very old, or the file was saved in the wrong format. If you export bookmarks from Firefox and they do not appear after import, try these steps.
First, check that the HTML file actually contains your bookmarks. Open it with a text editor like Notepad (Windows) or TextEdit (Mac) — you should see lines of text that include your bookmark titles and website addresses. If the file is empty or contains only a few lines, the export did not work. Go back to Firefox and try exporting again.
Second, make sure you are importing into a browser that supports HTML bookmark files. All major browsers do, but very old versions might not. If you are using an older version of Chrome, Edge, or Safari, update it first.
Third, try importing into a different browser to test whether the problem is with the HTML file or with the browser you are importing into. If the bookmarks import successfully into Chrome but not Edge, the issue is with Edge, not the file.
If none of these steps work, you can manually recreate your bookmarks by visiting each website and using the browser's bookmark button to save it. This is time-consuming but guarantees accuracy.
Exporting bookmarks from Firefox on mobile
Firefox on Android and iOS does not have a built-in export feature like the desktop version does. If you need to transfer bookmarks from mobile Firefox, your options are more limited.
The simplest approach is to sign in to Firefox Sync on your mobile device, then sign in to the same account on a desktop or laptop running Firefox. Your mobile bookmarks will sync to the desktop version automatically, and from there you can export them as an HTML file using the method described above.
If you do not want to use Firefox Sync, you can manually visit each bookmarked website on your mobile device and save it again in your new browser. This is not practical for large numbers of bookmarks, but it works for a handful of sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I import bookmarks from Firefox into multiple browsers at the same time?
Yes. The HTML file you export from Firefox can be imported into as many browsers and devices as you want. Each import creates a copy, so importing into Chrome does not remove the bookmarks from the HTML file — you can then import the same file into Edge, Safari, or another Firefox installation.
Will my passwords and history transfer along with my bookmarks?
No. The HTML export contains only bookmarks and folder structure. Passwords, history, and other Firefox data stay in Firefox and do not transfer to other browsers. If you want to move passwords, you would need to export them separately using Firefox's password manager, though most browsers do not accept Firefox password files directly.
What happens to my bookmarks if I uninstall Firefox?
Uninstalling Firefox does not delete your bookmarks if you have already exported them to an HTML file. The file remains on your computer. If you have not exported them, they will be deleted when you uninstall. If you use Firefox Sync, your bookmarks are also stored on Mozilla's servers and can be recovered by signing in to a new Firefox installation with your account.
Can I edit the HTML file to change bookmark names or organize folders before importing?
Technically yes, but it is not recommended. The HTML file uses a specific format that browsers expect, and editing it incorrectly can prevent import. It is safer to import the file as-is, then organize your bookmarks in the new browser using its built-in tools.
Does exporting bookmarks to HTML create a backup I can use if Firefox crashes?
Yes. If Firefox crashes or becomes corrupted, you can reinstall it and import your bookmarks from the HTML file. This is why exporting bookmarks regularly is a good practice — it protects you against data loss. Firefox Sync also serves as a backup, since your bookmarks are stored on Mozilla's servers as well as on your device.