The fastest way to move your bookmarks

The simplest path is to export your bookmarks from the old computer as a file, then import that file into the browser on the new one. Most browsers — Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari — store bookmarks in a format they can all read, so you are not locked into one brand. The whole process takes about five minutes and requires no special software.

Which steps you follow depends on which browser you use now and which one you want on the new computer. If you are switching browsers entirely (say, from Chrome to Firefox), the import process is slightly different but just as straightforward. If you are staying with the same browser, you might also have the option to sign in with your account and sync automatically instead.

Key Takeaways

  • Export bookmarks from your current browser as an HTML file, which works with any browser on any computer.
  • Most browsers let you export from the menu: Chrome and Edge use Settings, Firefox uses Library, Safari uses File.
  • On the new computer, open the same browser and import the HTML file using the reverse menu path.
  • If you stay with the same browser and sign in with your account, bookmarks often sync automatically without manual export.
  • Bookmarks exported as HTML files are plain text and will not be corrupted by moving between computers or operating systems.

Exporting bookmarks from Chrome or Edge

Open Chrome or Edge on your current computer. Click the three-line menu icon in the top right corner, then select Bookmarks, then Bookmark manager. At the top of the Bookmark manager window, click the three-dot menu icon and choose Export bookmarks. A dialog box will open asking where to save the file. Choose your Desktop or a USB drive — somewhere you can easily find it on the new computer.

The browser will save a file called bookmarks_[date].html. This is a plain text file that contains all your bookmarks in a format any browser can read. Do not rename it or change the .html extension. Once it is saved, you can close the browser and move to the new computer.

Exporting bookmarks from Firefox

Open Firefox on your current computer. Click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right, then select Bookmarks, then Manage Bookmarks (or press Ctrl+Shift+B on Windows, Command+Shift+B on Mac). In the Library window that opens, click Backup at the top, then Backup again from the dropdown menu. Firefox will save a file with a name like bookmarks-2024-01-15.json to your Downloads folder.

Firefox uses a different file format (.json instead of .html), but it still works with other browsers. If you want to use the standard .html format instead, click the three-dot menu in the Library window, select Export Bookmarks to HTML, and choose where to save it. Either format will work on the new computer.

Exporting bookmarks from Safari

Open Safari on your Mac. Click File in the menu bar at the top, then select Export Bookmarks. A dialog box will open. Choose where to save the file — Desktop or a USB drive work well — and click Save. Safari will create a file called Bookmarks.html.

If you are moving bookmarks to a Windows PC, this .html file will transfer without any problems. Safari on Mac is the only version of Safari that can export bookmarks this way; Safari on Windows is no longer supported by Apple.

Importing bookmarks into your new computer

On the new computer, open the browser where you want your bookmarks to appear. Get the bookmarks file from your USB drive or email it to yourself and read it. Then follow the import path for that browser.

Chrome or Edge: Click the three-line menu, select Bookmarks, then Import bookmarks and settings. A dialog will ask what you are importing from — select Bookmarks HTML file. Click Choose File, find your bookmarks file, and open it. Your bookmarks will appear in a folder called Imported at the top of your bookmark list.

Firefox: Click the menu icon, select Bookmarks, then Manage Bookmarks. Click the three-dot menu and select Import Bookmarks from HTML. Find your bookmarks file and open it. Firefox will add them to a folder called Imported Bookmarks.

Safari on Mac: Click File in the menu bar, then select Import From, then Bookmarks HTML File. Find your bookmarks file and click Import. Your bookmarks will be added to your existing bookmarks, not replace them.

Using account sync instead of manual export

If you plan to use the same browser on both computers, you can skip the export and import steps entirely. Sign in with your account on the new computer, and the browser will sync your bookmarks automatically.

Chrome: Click the profile icon in the top right, sign in with your Google account, and choose to sync bookmarks when prompted. Bookmarks will appear within a few minutes.

Firefox: Click the menu icon, select Sign in to Firefox, and enter your Firefox account details. If you do not have a Firefox account, you can create one for free. Bookmarks will sync once you are signed in.

Edge: Click the profile icon in the top right, sign in with your Microsoft account, and turn on sync in Settings. Edge will sync bookmarks along with your browsing history and passwords.

Sync is convenient if you use the same browser on multiple computers, because bookmarks update across all of them automatically. However, if you are switching browsers or want a one-time transfer, the export-and-import method is more straightforward.

What to do if bookmarks do not appear after import

If you imported bookmarks but cannot see them, check whether they landed in a separate folder. Chrome and Edge put imported bookmarks in a folder called Imported at the top of your bookmark list. Firefox creates a folder called Imported Bookmarks. Open that folder and your bookmarks should be there. You can then move individual bookmarks or the whole folder to your main bookmark bar or organize them however you prefer.

If the import appeared to work but you see no new bookmarks anywhere, the file may have been corrupted during transfer. Go back to the old computer, export the bookmarks again, and try importing on the new computer a second time. If you moved the file on a USB drive, try emailing it to yourself instead — email is more reliable for file transfer between computers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I import bookmarks from one browser into a different browser?

Yes. The .html format that Chrome, Edge, and Safari use is a standard that all browsers understand. Firefox uses .json format, but most browsers can import that too. If you are moving from Firefox to Chrome, export as .html from Firefox (using the Export Bookmarks to HTML option) and import into Chrome normally.

Will my bookmark folders stay organized after I import them?

Yes. The export file preserves your folder structure, so if you had a folder called "News Sites" with ten bookmarks inside, that folder and all its bookmarks will appear the same way on the new computer. Imported bookmarks may land in a temporary folder first, but you can move them to your main bookmark bar once they are there.

What if I want to keep my old bookmarks and add the new ones too?

Import the file normally — the browser will add the imported bookmarks to what you already have rather than replace them. You may end up with duplicates if both computers had the same bookmarks, but you can delete the duplicates manually afterward by right-clicking a bookmark and selecting Delete.

Can I move bookmarks between a Mac and a Windows PC?

Yes. The .html format works on any operating system. Export from Safari on Mac as an .html file, move it to the Windows PC on a USB drive or email, and import it into Chrome, Edge, or Firefox on Windows. The bookmarks will transfer without any problems.

Do I need to be connected to the internet to import bookmarks?

No. Importing a local file from your computer or USB drive does not require an internet connection. However, if you use account sync (signing in to Chrome, Firefox, or Edge), you will need internet to read the synced bookmarks the first time.