How to Copy Your Chrome Bookmarks to Another Computer

The fastest way: export from Chrome, then import on the new machine

The simplest route is to export your bookmarks as an HTML file on your current computer, then import that file into Chrome on the new one. Chrome stores all your bookmarks in a single file that you can move between machines in about five minutes. You do not need to sign in to a Google account, though that option exists if you prefer automatic syncing instead.

This method works whether you are moving to a Windows machine, a Mac, or Linux. The exported file is plain HTML — any browser can read it, so you could also import these bookmarks into Firefox, Edge, or Safari if you decide to switch browsers later.

Key Takeaways

Export bookmarks from Chrome by opening the menu, selecting Bookmarks, then "Export bookmarks" — this creates a single HTML file you can move to another computer.
Import that file on the new machine by opening Chrome's menu, selecting Bookmarks, then "Import bookmarks and settings" and choosing the HTML file you exported.
If you sign into your Google account on the new computer, Chrome will sync your bookmarks automatically without needing to export and import manually.
The export method works even if you do not have a Google account, and the HTML file can be imported into other browsers if you change your mind later.

Step-by-step export on your current computer

Open Chrome and click the three-line menu icon in the top right corner. Move your cursor to Bookmarks — a submenu will appear. Click Bookmark Manager to open the full list of your saved bookmarks.

In the Bookmark Manager window, click the three-dot menu icon in the top right. Select Export bookmarks. A dialog box will open asking where you want to save the file. Choose a location you will remember — your Desktop or Downloads folder works well. The file will be named bookmarks_[date].html. Click Save.

The file is now ready to move. You can email it to yourself, save it to a USB drive, upload it to cloud storage like Google Drive or Dropbox, or copy it directly if both computers are on the same network. Any of these methods will work.

Step-by-step import on the new computer

On the new machine, open Chrome and click the three-line menu in the top right. Go to Bookmarks, then click Bookmark Manager. Click the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner of the Bookmark Manager window.

Select Import bookmarks and settings. A file browser will open. Navigate to the HTML file you exported from your old computer and select it. Click Open. Chrome will import all your bookmarks into the new installation. They will appear in your Bookmarks bar and Bookmarks menu when ready.

If you had bookmarks organized into folders on the old computer, those folder structures will be preserved during import. Bookmarks that were in your Bookmarks bar will reappear in the Bookmarks bar on the new machine.

Using Google account sync instead of manual export

If you have a Google account, you can skip the export and import steps entirely. Sign into Chrome on your new computer with the same Google account you use on your current machine. Chrome will automatically sync your bookmarks, history, passwords, and other settings to the new computer within a few minutes.

To sign in, click your profile icon in the top right corner of Chrome and select Sign in to Chrome. Enter your Google email and password. You will see a prompt asking what you want to sync — make sure Bookmarks is checked. Once sync is complete, all your bookmarks will be there without any manual file transfer.

The advantage of sync is that your bookmarks stay updated across all your devices automatically. If you add a bookmark on one computer, it appears on the other within seconds. The disadvantage is that you must remember your Google account password and have internet access during setup.

What to do if the import does not show all your bookmarks

If you import the HTML file and some bookmarks are missing, the most common cause is that you exported from the wrong profile. Chrome allows multiple user profiles on a single computer, and each profile has its own set of bookmarks. If you were using a different profile than you thought, its bookmarks would not be in the export file.

To check, open Chrome and look at your profile icon in the top right corner. Click it to see which profile is currently active. If you have multiple profiles, repeat the export process while logged into each one, then import all the HTML files on the new computer. You can also check the Chrome menu under Settings > You and Google to see which profiles exist on your machine.

Another reason bookmarks might not appear is if they were saved to a specific folder that did not sync properly. In the Bookmark Manager, check whether your bookmarks are organized under Other bookmarks rather than in your main Bookmarks bar. They are still there — just in a different location in the menu.

Moving bookmarks between different browsers

The HTML export file from Chrome can be imported into Firefox, Edge, and Safari as well. If you are switching to a different browser on your new computer, you can use the same bookmarks file. In Firefox, go to Bookmarks > Manage Bookmarks > Import and Backup > Import Bookmarks from HTML. In Edge, click the menu and select Favorites > Manage favorites > Import favorites.

This flexibility means you are not locked into Chrome if you decide to try another browser. Your bookmarks are portable and can follow you wherever you go.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my passwords and autofill information come over with my bookmarks?

No. The HTML export file contains only bookmarks and folder structure. Passwords, autofill data, and browsing history are stored separately in Chrome and are not included in the export. If you want those as well, use Google account sync instead, which copies everything. If you use manual export, you will need to re-enter passwords on the new computer or use Chrome's password manager to export them separately.

Can I export bookmarks from an older version of Chrome?

Yes. The export and import process has been the same in Chrome for many years. Even if your old computer is running an outdated version of Chrome, you can still export bookmarks using the Bookmark Manager menu. However, updating Chrome on both machines before you start is a good idea to avoid any compatibility issues.

What if I lose the HTML file after exporting it?

You can export again at any time. straightforward repeat the export process on your original computer to create a new HTML file. If you no longer have access to the original computer, you can recover your bookmarks by signing into your Google account on the new machine, which will sync them automatically if you had sync enabled before.

Do I need to uninstall Chrome on the old computer before importing on the new one?

No. Exporting bookmarks does not affect your old installation of Chrome. You can keep using Chrome on the old computer while also using it on the new one. Both machines can have the same bookmarks without any conflict.

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.