How to Move Your Bookmarks to a New Computer

The fastest way depends on your browser

The method you use to transfer bookmarks changes based on which browser you use — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge all handle this differently. Most browsers let you export bookmarks as a file on your old computer, then import that file on your new one. Some also sync bookmarks automatically across devices if you sign into your account on both machines.

If you use the same browser on both computers and have an account with that browser, syncing is usually the simplest route. If you are switching browsers or want a one-time transfer without ongoing sync, exporting and importing is more reliable.

Key Takeaways

Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge all export bookmarks as an HTML file that any browser can read and import.
Syncing through your browser account is automatic if you sign in on both computers, but only works if you use the same browser on each machine.
Exporting takes two minutes on your old computer and importing takes another two minutes on your new one.
An exported bookmark file is a small text document you can also email to yourself or store on a USB drive if your computers are not on the same network.

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 and choose Export bookmarks. Your browser will save a file called bookmarks_[date].html to your Downloads folder.

You now have a file that contains every bookmark you saved. Move this file to your new computer by email, USB drive, cloud storage, or any method that works for you. Once the file is on your new computer, open Chrome, go to the Bookmark manager the same way, click the three dots, and select Import bookmarks. Choose the HTML file you just moved, and Chrome will add all your bookmarks to the new machine.

Export bookmarks from Firefox

Open Firefox on your old computer. Click the three horizontal lines in the top right corner and select Bookmarks, then Manage Bookmarks. In the Bookmarks window, click the three horizontal lines at the top left and choose Export Bookmarks. Firefox saves the file as bookmarks.html to your Downloads folder.

Transfer this file to your new computer using email, USB drive, or cloud storage. On your new computer, open Firefox, go to Bookmarks, then Manage Bookmarks, click the three lines, and select Import Bookmarks from HTML. Choose the file you moved, and Firefox will restore all your bookmarks.

Export bookmarks from Safari

Open Safari on your old Mac. Click File in the menu bar at the top, then select Export Bookmarks. Safari will ask you where to save the file — choose your Desktop or Downloads folder. The file will be named Bookmarks.html.

Move this file to your new computer. On the new Mac, open Safari, click File, and select Import From, then Bookmarks HTML File. Choose the file you moved, and Safari will import all your bookmarks. If you are moving to a Windows computer, you can still use this HTML file — most browsers on Windows can read it.

Export bookmarks from Edge

Open Edge on your old computer. Click the three horizontal dots in the top right corner and select Bookmarks, then Manage bookmarks. Click the three dots again and choose Export bookmarks. Edge saves the file as bookmarks.html to your Downloads folder.

Transfer the file to your new computer. On the new machine, open Edge, go to Bookmarks, click Manage bookmarks, click the three dots, and select Import bookmarks. Choose the HTML file, and Edge will add all your bookmarks to the new computer.

Use browser sync if you stay with the same browser

If you use Chrome on both computers, you can sync bookmarks automatically by signing into your Google account on the new machine. Open Chrome, click your profile picture in the top right, and sign in with the same Google account you use on your old computer. Chrome will ask if you want to sync your data — select that option, and your bookmarks will appear on the new machine within a few minutes.

Firefox, Safari, and Edge work the same way with their own accounts. Firefox uses a Mozilla account, Safari uses your Apple ID, and Edge uses your Microsoft account. Syncing is convenient because any bookmark you add on either computer will appear on both, but it only works if you use the same browser on each machine and stay signed in.

What to do if you are switching browsers

If you are moving from Chrome to Firefox, or from Safari to Edge, the export-and-import method is your only option. Sync only works within the same browser. Export your bookmarks from your old browser as an HTML file, then import that file into your new browser on the new computer. Every major browser can read an HTML bookmark file, even if it did not create it.

This also works if you want to keep both browsers but transfer your bookmarks to a new one. Export from the old browser, import into the new one, and you now have the same bookmarks in both places.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer bookmarks from my phone to my computer?

Yes, if you use the same browser on both. Sign into your browser account on your phone and your computer, and bookmarks will sync between them. If you use different browsers, you will need to manually recreate the bookmarks or use a third-party bookmark manager app that works across devices.

What if I have bookmarks in folders — do they transfer too?

Yes. When you export bookmarks, all your folders and the organization inside them come along. The folder structure will be preserved when you import the file on your new computer.

Is the HTML bookmark file safe to email to myself?

Yes. The HTML file is a plain text document with no executable code, so it is safe to email, upload to cloud storage, or share any other way. It contains only the names and web addresses of your bookmarks.

Do I need to delete the old bookmarks before importing on the new computer?

No. Importing adds your bookmarks to whatever is already there — it does not erase existing bookmarks. If you want to start fresh, you can delete your browser's default bookmarks before importing, but it is not required.

What happens to my bookmarks if I sync and then sign out of my account?

The bookmarks stay on your computer. Signing out stops future syncing, but does not remove bookmarks that are already there. You can sign back in anytime to resume syncing.

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.