What importing bookmarks means

Importing bookmarks means moving the list of websites you've saved from one browser to another. When you bookmark a website, your browser stores the web address and the name you gave it. Importing transfers that entire list — so you don't have to manually re-save every site you use.

You might import bookmarks when you switch from Chrome to Firefox, move to a new computer, or want to use the same bookmarks across multiple browsers. The process is straightforward: you export your bookmarks from the old browser as a file, then import that file into the new one.

Key Takeaways

  • Most browsers let you export bookmarks as an HTML file, which any other browser can read and import.
  • The export option is usually in the browser menu under "Bookmarks" or "Settings," and the import option is in the same place.
  • Importing creates a new folder with your old bookmarks, so your existing bookmarks stay in place.
  • If you use a Google account or Microsoft account, you can sync bookmarks automatically instead of manually importing them.

How to export bookmarks from Chrome

Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select "Bookmarks" from the menu, then click "Bookmark manager." At the top of the Bookmark manager window, click the three vertical dots again and select "Export bookmarks." Choose where to save the file on your computer — your Downloads folder is the easiest place to find it later.

Chrome saves your bookmarks as an HTML file with a name like "bookmarks_[date].html". This file contains all your bookmarks and the folders you organized them into. You now have a copy that you can import into any other browser.

How to export bookmarks from Firefox

Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines (called a hamburger menu) in the top right corner. Select "Bookmarks," then click "Manage Bookmarks." In the Bookmark manager window, click the three horizontal lines at the top and select "Export Bookmarks." Firefox saves the file to your Downloads folder by default.

Firefox exports bookmarks in the same HTML format as Chrome, so the file works with any browser. If you have organized your bookmarks into folders, Firefox preserves that structure in the exported file.

How to import bookmarks into Chrome

Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select "Bookmarks," then click "Bookmark manager." Click the three vertical dots at the top and select "Import bookmarks." A window opens asking you to choose a file. Navigate to the HTML file you exported from your old browser and click "Open."

Chrome imports the bookmarks into a new folder called "Imported" (or the name of your old browser if you're importing from Firefox or another major browser). Your existing bookmarks stay exactly where they are. You can then move individual bookmarks or entire folders to organize them the way you want.

How to import bookmarks into Firefox

Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines in the top right corner. Select "Bookmarks," then click "Manage Bookmarks." Click the three horizontal lines at the top and select "Import Bookmarks from HTML." A window opens asking you to choose a file. Select the HTML file you exported and click "Open."

Firefox creates a new folder with the name of the browser you imported from (for example, "Chrome" or "Safari"). All your imported bookmarks appear inside that folder, leaving your current bookmarks untouched. You can drag bookmarks out of the imported folder into your main bookmark bar or other folders.

Using browser sync instead of importing

If you use Chrome, you can sign in with your Google account and turn on sync. Chrome then stores your bookmarks in your Google account and automatically loads them on any computer where you sign in. Go to the three vertical dots, click "Settings," select "Sync and Google services," and make sure "Bookmarks" is turned on.

Firefox offers the same feature with a Firefox account. Click the three horizontal lines, select "Settings," go to "Sync," and sign in or create a Firefox account. Turn on "Bookmarks" in the sync options. Microsoft Edge syncs bookmarks through your Microsoft account the same way. Syncing is faster than importing if you use the same browser on multiple devices, because your bookmarks update automatically whenever you add a new one.

What to do if the import doesn't work

If the import fails, make sure the file you're trying to import is actually an HTML file. Check the file name — it should end in ".html". If it ends in ".json" or another format, your old browser may have exported it in a format the new browser doesn't recognize. Try exporting again and choosing the HTML option if one is available.

If the file is correct but the import still fails, try opening the HTML file in a text editor like Notepad to make sure it contains bookmark data. If the file is empty or corrupted, export your bookmarks again. If you're importing a very large number of bookmarks (more than a few hundred), the import may take a minute or two — wait before assuming it failed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do imported bookmarks replace my existing bookmarks?

No. Imported bookmarks go into a new folder, and your existing bookmarks stay in place. You can then move bookmarks from the imported folder into your main bookmark bar or delete the imported folder if you don't want to keep them.

Can I import bookmarks from Safari on a Mac?

Yes. Open Safari, click "File" in the menu bar, and select "Export Bookmarks." Save the file as an HTML file. Then open your new browser, use its import function, and select the HTML file you exported from Safari.

Will importing bookmarks also import my passwords?

No. Bookmarks and passwords are stored separately. Importing bookmarks only brings over the websites you saved. Passwords must be exported and imported through the browser's password manager, which is usually in Settings under "Passwords" or "Security."

What happens to bookmark folders when I import?

Bookmark folders are preserved during import. If you had a folder called "News Sites" with five bookmarks inside, that folder and all five bookmarks appear in the imported folder with the same structure intact.

Can I import bookmarks from an old computer to a new one?

Yes. Export the bookmarks from your old computer and save the HTML file to a USB drive, email it to yourself, or upload it to cloud storage like Google Drive. Then read the file on your new computer and import it into your browser.