How to Move Your Bookmarks to a New Computer

The fastest way depends on which browser you use

Moving bookmarks to a new computer takes 10 to 15 minutes and works the same way whether you're switching computers, reinstalling your operating system, or just setting up a second device. The method differs slightly by browser — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge each store bookmarks in different places and export them differently. The good news is that every major browser can export bookmarks as a single file, and every major browser can import that file back in.

You don't need to be technical to do this. You'll read a file from your old computer, move it to your new one (by email, USB drive, or cloud storage), and then import it. Your bookmarks will appear in the same folders and order they were in before.

Key Takeaways

Export your bookmarks as an HTML file on your old computer, then import that file into the same browser on your new computer.
Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge all have built-in export and import tools — you don't need to install anything extra.
The exported file is small (usually under 1 MB) and safe to email or store on a USB drive.
If you use the same browser on both computers and sign into your account, bookmarks may sync automatically without any manual steps.

Export bookmarks from Chrome

Open Chrome on your old computer. Click the three vertical dots in the top right corner, then select Bookmarks, then Bookmark manager. At the top of the Bookmark manager window, click the three vertical dots again, then select Export bookmarks. Choose where to save the file — your Desktop or Downloads folder works fine. Chrome will create a file called bookmarks_[date].html.

Move this file to your new computer using email, a USB drive, or a cloud storage service like Google Drive or Dropbox. On your new computer, open Chrome, click the three vertical dots, go to Bookmarks, then Bookmark manager. Click the three vertical dots at the top again and select Import bookmarks. Navigate to the file you just moved and select it. Your bookmarks will appear in a folder called "Imported [date]" — you can move them to your main Bookmarks folder afterward if you want.

Export bookmarks from Firefox

Open Firefox on your old computer. Click the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) in the top right corner. Select Bookmarks, then hover over Manage Bookmarks and click Show All Bookmarks. In the Library window that opens, click Import and Backup at the top, then select Export Bookmarks to HTML. Save the file to your Desktop or Downloads folder. Firefox will create a file called bookmarks-[date].html.

Transfer this file to your new computer. On your new computer, open Firefox, go to the hamburger menu, select Bookmarks, hover over Manage Bookmarks, and click Show All Bookmarks. Click Import and BackupImport Bookmarks from HTML. Find and select the file you moved. Your bookmarks will be restored to their original folders.

Export bookmarks from Safari

Open Safari on your old Mac. Click File in the menu bar at the top, then select Export Bookmarks. Choose where to save the file and click Save. Safari will create a file called Bookmarks.html.

Move this file to your new Mac using email, a USB drive, or cloud storage. On your new Mac, open Safari, click File, then select Import From, then Bookmarks HTML File. Navigate to the file you moved and click Import. Your bookmarks will appear in Safari's sidebar in the same structure they were in before.

Export bookmarks from Edge

Open Microsoft Edge on your old computer. Click the three horizontal dots in the top right corner, then select Bookmarks, then Manage bookmarks. Click the three dots in the Bookmarks panel that appears on the left, then select Export bookmarks. Choose where to save the file. Edge will create a file called bookmarks_[date].html.

Transfer this file to your new computer. On your new computer, open Edge, click the three dots, go to Bookmarks, then Manage bookmarks. Click the three dots in the Bookmarks panel and select Import bookmarks. Select the file you moved. Your bookmarks will be restored and organized the way they were.

Use automatic sync if you sign into your browser account

If you use Chrome, Firefox, or Edge, you can skip the export-and-import process entirely by signing into your browser account on both computers. Chrome uses a Google account, Firefox uses a Firefox account, and Edge uses a Microsoft account. When you sign in on your new computer, your bookmarks will read automatically — usually within a few minutes.

This method is faster if you're setting up a brand-new computer and don't mind creating a browser account. It also means your bookmarks stay in sync across all your devices going forward. Safari uses iCloud to sync bookmarks across Apple devices if you're signed into the same iCloud account on both Macs.

What to do if your bookmarks don't appear after importing

If you import an HTML file and your bookmarks don't show up, check these things first. Make sure you imported the file into the same browser you exported it from — you can't export from Chrome and import into Firefox, for example. If you're importing into Chrome or Edge, look for a folder called "Imported [date]" in your Bookmarks menu; the bookmarks might be there instead of in your main folder.

If the file itself seems corrupted or won't open, try exporting again from your old computer. Make sure the file downloaded completely before you moved it — if you emailed it, check that the attachment came through. If you're still stuck, you can manually recreate your most important bookmarks by visiting those websites on your new computer and bookmarking them again, though this is slower than using the import method.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I export bookmarks from one browser and import them into a different browser?

Most browsers can import from an HTML file, but the process isn't always straightforward. Firefox and Safari can import Chrome's HTML export, but Chrome cannot import Firefox's bookmarks directly. Your best option is to export from your original browser, then use that HTML file as a backup, and manually recreate bookmarks in the new browser if needed.

Is the bookmarks file safe to email or put on a USB drive?

Yes. The HTML file contains only the names of your bookmarks and their web addresses — no passwords, credit card numbers, or personal information. It's a plain text file, usually smaller than 1 MB. You can email it, store it on a USB drive, or upload it to cloud storage without security concerns.

What if I have bookmarks on multiple devices and want them all in one place?

Export bookmarks from each device separately, then import them one at a time into your new computer. Your browser will add them to your existing bookmarks rather than replacing them. If you end up with duplicates, you can delete them manually, or you can use the sync feature going forward so all your devices stay matched automatically.

Do I need to uninstall my browser before importing bookmarks on the new computer?

No. You can import bookmarks into a browser that's already installed and in use. The imported bookmarks will be added to any bookmarks you already have. If you're setting up a brand-new computer and haven't opened the browser yet, you can still import — just install the browser first, then import the file.

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.