Export your bookmarks from Firefox to a file you own

Firefox stores your bookmarks in its own format, but you can save them as an HTML file that works with almost any browser. This file becomes your backup — you keep it, you control it, and you can move it to another browser or computer whenever you need to.

Open Firefox and click the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner. Select Bookmarks, then Manage Bookmarks. This opens the Bookmarks Library window. At the top of that window, click Import and Backup, then select Backup. Firefox will ask you where to save the file — choose a folder you can find later, like your Desktop or Documents folder. The file will have a name like bookmarks-2024-01-15.json. That's your backup.

Key Takeaways

  • Firefox bookmarks export as an HTML or JSON file that you can save anywhere on your computer or external drive.
  • The Bookmarks Library menu (Bookmarks > Manage Bookmarks > Import and Backup > Backup) is the fastest way to create a backup file.
  • You can restore bookmarks from a backup file into the same Firefox profile or move them to a different browser like Chrome or Edge.
  • Syncing with a Firefox Account keeps bookmarks updated across devices automatically, but a backup file is your safety net if something goes wrong.

Restore bookmarks from a backup file into Firefox

If you have a bookmarks backup file and want to put those bookmarks back into Firefox, open the Bookmarks Library again (Bookmarks > Manage Bookmarks). Click Import and Backup, then Restore. Firefox will show you a list of recent backups it has created automatically. If you want to restore from your own backup file instead, select Restore from File and navigate to the file you saved.

Firefox will ask whether to replace your current bookmarks or merge the old ones in. If you choose merge, you'll end up with both sets of bookmarks — useful if you've added new ones since the backup. If you choose replace, the old bookmarks take over completely and any new ones you added after the backup disappear.

Move bookmarks to Chrome, Edge, or another browser

Your Firefox bookmarks file is HTML, which Chrome, Edge, Safari, and most other browsers can read. First, export your bookmarks from Firefox as described above. Then open the browser you want to move them to.

In Chrome: Click the menu (three dots, top right), go to Bookmarks, then Import bookmarks and settings. Choose the Firefox HTML file and click Import.

In Edge: Click the menu (three dots, top right), select Favorites, then Manage favorites. Click the three dots in the Favorites panel and choose Import bookmarks. Select Firefox from the dropdown and choose your HTML file.

In Safari (Mac): Go to File > Import From > Firefox, or manually import the HTML file through File > Import Bookmarks.

Use Firefox Sync to keep bookmarks on multiple devices

If you use Firefox on a phone, tablet, and computer, Firefox Sync keeps your bookmarks the same across all of them automatically. You don't have to export or import anything — changes on one device show up on the others within a few minutes.

To set up Sync, click the menu button in Firefox and select Sign in to Sync. You'll need a Firefox Account (free). Create one with an email address and password, then confirm the email. On your other devices, sign in with the same account. Your bookmarks, history, passwords, and open tabs will sync across all of them.

Sync is convenient, but it depends on Mozilla's servers. If you want a backup that doesn't rely on any company's service, export your bookmarks to a file and store it on your computer or an external drive.

Organize bookmarks before moving them

When you export bookmarks from Firefox, you export everything — every folder, every tag, every single saved link. If you have hundreds of old bookmarks you don't use anymore, cleaning them out before the export makes the file smaller and easier to manage in your new browser.

Open the Bookmarks Library (Bookmarks > Manage Bookmarks) and look through your folders. Delete bookmarks you no longer need. You can also create new folders to group related bookmarks together — for example, a "Work" folder and a "Personal" folder. When you export, this folder structure comes along with the bookmarks themselves, so you'll have the same organization in your new browser.

Store your backup file safely

Your bookmarks file is small — usually less than a megabyte — so it's straightforward to keep copies in multiple places. Save one copy on your computer, one on an external USB drive, and one in cloud storage like Google Drive or Dropbox. If your computer fails or you switch devices, you'll have the file ready to restore.

Label the file with the date you created it, like firefox-bookmarks-jan-2024.html. That way, if you have multiple versions, you know which one is newest. Keep the file in a folder you check regularly, not buried in a folder you'll forget about.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I export just some of my bookmarks, not all of them?

Firefox exports everything at once, but you can delete unwanted bookmarks before exporting. Alternatively, create a new folder, move only the bookmarks you want into it, then manually copy those bookmarks into your new browser. It's slower, but gives you more control over what moves.

What format should I use — HTML or JSON?

HTML works with every browser. JSON is Firefox's native format and preserves more details like tags and keywords, but other browsers may not read it. Use HTML if you're moving to another browser. Use JSON if you're backing up for Firefox only.

Will my bookmarks sync if I use the same Firefox Account on two computers?

Yes. Sign into the same Firefox Account on both computers, and your bookmarks will sync automatically. Changes on one computer appear on the other within a few minutes. You don't need to export or import anything.

What happens to my bookmarks if I uninstall Firefox?

Uninstalling Firefox removes the browser but not your bookmarks file — it stays on your computer. When you reinstall Firefox and sign into your account, your bookmarks come back. If you didn't use Sync, export your bookmarks first as a backup before uninstalling.

Can I merge bookmarks from two different Firefox profiles?

Yes. Export bookmarks from the first profile, then import them into the second profile using Bookmarks > Manage Bookmarks > Import and Backup > Restore from File. Choose "merge" when Firefox asks, and both sets of bookmarks will combine.