How to Import Your Chrome Bookmarks Into Another Browser

Where to find your Chrome bookmarks file and what you need before starting

Chrome stores your bookmarks in a single file on your computer that you can export and move to another browser. Before you start, decide which browser you want to import them into — Firefox, Edge, Safari, or another option — because the import process differs slightly for each one. You will also need to know where Chrome keeps this file, which depends on whether you use Windows, Mac, or Linux.

The file itself is called an HTML file, which is a standard format that most browsers can read. You do not need to understand how it works; you just need to know that Chrome can create it, and your new browser can open it. The whole process takes about five minutes once you have the file in hand.

Key Takeaways

Chrome exports your bookmarks as an HTML file through the menu: click the three vertical dots, select Bookmarks, then Export Bookmarks.
Save this file somewhere you can find it again, like your Desktop or Documents folder — do not leave it in the Downloads folder where it may be deleted.
The import process is different for each browser: Firefox uses File > Import, Edge uses Settings > Import, and Safari uses File > Import From.
You can import the same bookmark file into multiple browsers, so you do not have to choose just one destination.
Importing adds your Chrome bookmarks to your new browser without removing them from Chrome, so both will have the same bookmarks afterward.

Exporting bookmarks from Chrome on Windows or Mac

Open Chrome and look for the three vertical dots in the top right corner of the window. Click on those dots to open a menu. Move your cursor down to "Bookmarks" — you will see an arrow pointing right, which means a submenu will appear. Hover over "Bookmarks" until that submenu opens, then click "Export Bookmarks." A window will pop up asking where you want to save the file.

Choose a location you will remember, such as your Desktop or a Documents folder. Do not save it in your Downloads folder, because Downloads folders are often cleaned out automatically and you may lose the file. Give the file a name you recognize, like "Chrome Bookmarks" — Chrome will add the .html extension automatically. Click Save, and the file is created.

Importing into Firefox

Open Firefox and click the menu button — three horizontal lines in the top right corner. Click "Bookmarks," then look for "Manage Bookmarks" or "Show All Bookmarks" depending on your Firefox version. A window will open. At the top of that window, click "Import and Backup," then select "Import Bookmarks from HTML." A file browser will open.

Navigate to wherever you saved your Chrome bookmark file — Desktop or Documents — and select it. Click Open, and Firefox will import all your Chrome bookmarks into a folder labeled "Imported." You can move these bookmarks to your main bookmark bar or organize them however you prefer. Firefox will not delete the original file, so you can import it into other browsers later if you want.

Importing into Microsoft Edge

Open Edge and click the three horizontal dots in the top right corner. Select "Settings" from the menu. On the left side of the Settings page, click "Profiles," then "Import browser data." A panel will appear on the right side. Under "Import from," select "Bookmarks HTML file" from the dropdown menu.

Click "Choose file" and navigate to your saved Chrome bookmark file. Select it and click Open. Edge will show you how many bookmarks it found and ask where you want to place them. You can add them to your Favorites bar or keep them in a separate folder. Click Import, and the process is complete.

Importing into Safari on Mac

Open Safari and click "File" in the menu bar at the top of the screen. Select "Import From" and then choose "Bookmarks HTML File" from the submenu. A file browser window will open. Find your Chrome bookmark file and click Import. Safari will add all your bookmarks to a new folder called "Imported" in your bookmarks sidebar.

If you do not see the bookmarks sidebar in Safari, click "View" in the menu bar and select "Show Bookmarks Sidebar." You can then drag bookmarks from the Imported folder to your main bookmarks or organize them as you prefer.

What to do if the import does not work

If your new browser does not recognize the file, make sure the filename ends in .html. If you renamed the file and removed the extension by accident, add it back — right-click the file, select Rename, and type the full name with .html at the end. On Mac, you may need to click the file once, press Enter, and edit the name in the box that appears.

If the file is corrupted or Chrome did not export it correctly, go back to Chrome and try exporting again. Make sure you followed the steps exactly: three dots menu, Bookmarks submenu, then Export Bookmarks. If you still have trouble, check that you are using a recent version of Chrome by clicking the three dots, selecting "Help," then "About Google Chrome." Chrome will update automatically if a newer version is available.

Organizing your bookmarks after import

Once your bookmarks are in your new browser, you may want to clean them up. Most browsers will place imported bookmarks in a single folder, which can make your bookmark bar crowded. You can move individual bookmarks to different folders, delete duplicates, or rename folders to match how you organize things. The process is the same in most browsers: right-click a bookmark and select Edit or Move.

You can also delete the original HTML file from your computer once you have confirmed the import worked. The bookmarks are now stored inside your new browser, and you do not need the file anymore. If you want to import into another browser later, you can export from your new browser instead of going back to Chrome.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I import Chrome bookmarks into multiple browsers at the same time?

Yes. The HTML file does not change when you import it, so you can use the same file to import into Firefox, Edge, Safari, or any other browser that accepts HTML bookmark files. Import into one browser, then repeat the process with the next browser using the same file.

Will importing delete my bookmarks from Chrome?

No. Importing copies your bookmarks to the new browser but leaves them in Chrome. Both browsers will have the same bookmarks after the import is complete. If you want to remove them from Chrome later, you can delete them manually.

What if I have bookmarks in folders — will those folders come over too?

Yes. Chrome exports the folder structure along with the bookmarks inside them. Your new browser will create the same folders and place the bookmarks in the correct locations. You may need to reorganize them if your new browser uses a different folder system.

Can I import bookmarks from other browsers into Chrome using the same method?

Chrome can import bookmarks from Firefox, Edge, and Safari, but the process is different. In Chrome, click the three dots, go to Bookmarks, then select "Import Bookmarks and Settings." Choose the browser you want to import from, and Chrome will find the bookmarks automatically without needing an HTML file.

Where does the HTML file go if I do not choose a location?

If you do not select a specific folder, the file will be saved to your Downloads folder by default. You should move it to Desktop or Documents so it does not get deleted during a cleanup. You can also leave it in Downloads if you plan to import it right away and do not need to keep it long-term.

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.