How to Copy Bookmarks From One Computer to Another

The fastest way depends on your browser and what you have access to

The simplest method is to export your bookmarks from your old computer as a file, then import that file into your new one. Most browsers—Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge—store bookmarks in a format they can read back in, so the file moves cleanly between machines. If both computers are yours and you have them in the same room, this takes about five minutes. If you're moving to a new device and the old one is gone, you can still recover bookmarks if you remember your browser login.

The method you choose depends on three things: which browser you use, whether you have both computers available right now, and whether you want to keep your bookmarks organized the same way they were. A browser sync account (like Google Account for Chrome or Firefox Account for Firefox) is the easiest long-term solution because it moves everything automatically, but exporting and importing works just as well if you only need to do this once.

Key Takeaways

Export bookmarks as an HTML file from your old browser, then import that file into your new browser—this works across different browsers and takes just a few minutes.
If you use Chrome, Firefox, or Edge, signing into your browser account on the new computer will sync your bookmarks automatically without any manual export step.
Safari bookmarks sync through iCloud if both computers use the same Apple ID, so no export is necessary on Apple devices.
The HTML export file is a backup you can keep forever, so it's worth doing even if you also set up automatic sync.

Exporting bookmarks from Chrome

Open Chrome on your old computer and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Bookmarks, then Bookmark manager. At the top of the Bookmark manager window, click the three dots again and choose Export bookmarks. Chrome will save a file called "bookmarks_[date].html" to your Downloads folder. You can rename this file to something easier to remember, like "my_bookmarks.html".

Move this file to your new computer by email, USB drive, cloud storage, or however you normally transfer files. On the new computer, open Chrome, go back to Bookmarks > Bookmark manager, click the three dots at the top, and select Import bookmarks. Choose the HTML file you just moved, and Chrome will add all your bookmarks to the new browser. They'll appear in a folder called "Imported [date]" unless you had them organized in custom folders, which will come through with their original structure.

Exporting bookmarks from Firefox

Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) in the top right. Select Bookmarks, then hover over Manage bookmarks and click Show all bookmarks. This opens the Library window. At the top of the Library, click Import and Backup, then select Export Bookmarks to HTML. Firefox will ask you where to save the file; choose your Desktop or Downloads folder so you can find it easily.

Transfer the HTML file to your new computer the same way you would for Chrome. On the new computer, open Firefox, go to Bookmarks > Manage bookmarks > Show all bookmarks, click Import and Backup again, and choose Import Bookmarks from HTML. Select the file you moved, and Firefox will restore all your bookmarks with their folders and organization intact.

Using browser sync instead of exporting

If you don't want to deal with files, you can sign into your browser account on the new computer and let it sync automatically. For Chrome, click your profile icon in the top right corner of the browser, make sure you're signed in with your Google Account, and wait a few minutes. Your bookmarks will appear on the new computer without any export step. The same process works for Firefox (sign in with your Firefox Account), Microsoft Edge (sign in with your Microsoft Account), and Opera (sign in with your Opera account).

Sync is convenient because any bookmarks you add on either computer will appear on both. The trade-off is that you're relying on your browser account staying active and your internet connection staying stable. If you ever lose access to that account or want a permanent offline copy, you still have the HTML export file as a backup. Many people do both: set up sync for convenience, and export bookmarks once as insurance.

Moving bookmarks on Apple devices

If you're moving from one Mac to another, or from an iPhone to a Mac, bookmarks sync through iCloud automatically if both devices use the same Apple ID. Open System Preferences (or System Settings on newer Macs) on your new Mac, click Apple ID, select iCloud, and make sure the checkbox next to Safari is turned on. Wait a few minutes for iCloud to sync, and your bookmarks will appear.

If you're moving from a Mac to a Windows computer, or from an iPhone to an Android phone, you'll need to export. On your Mac, open Safari, click File in the menu bar, and select Export Bookmarks. Safari will save an HTML file. Transfer this file to your Windows computer, open your browser (Chrome, Firefox, or Edge), and import the HTML file using that browser's bookmark import feature. Safari bookmarks don't import directly into non-Apple browsers, but the HTML format is universal, so any browser can read them.

What to do if your old computer is gone

If you no longer have access to your old computer, you can still recover your bookmarks if you remember your browser login. Sign into your Google Account in Chrome, your Firefox Account in Firefox, or your Microsoft Account in Edge on the new computer. The browser will automatically sync your bookmarks from the cloud within a few minutes. This works because these browsers store a copy of your bookmarks on their servers whenever you're signed in.

If you used Safari on a Mac and don't have the old Mac anymore, sign into the same Apple ID on your new Mac and turn on iCloud sync for Safari. Your bookmarks will read from iCloud. If you used a browser that doesn't offer cloud sync, or if you were never signed in, there's no way to recover the bookmarks—which is why exporting an HTML file and keeping it somewhere safe (like cloud storage or an external drive) is a good habit.

Organizing bookmarks after the move

When you import bookmarks from an HTML file, they usually land in a single folder or scattered across your bookmark bar. Spend a few minutes organizing them into folders that make sense to you. In Chrome, right-click any bookmark and select Edit to change its name or move it to a different folder. In Firefox, right-click and choose Properties. In Edge, right-click and select Edit. You can create new folders by right-clicking in your Bookmarks menu and selecting Add folder.

If you had a lot of bookmarks and they're now disorganized, you might want to delete the ones you no longer use. This is a good time to clean house—remove bookmarks for sites you never visit, consolidate duplicates, and group related bookmarks into folders. It takes longer than just importing everything, but you'll end up with a cleaner, more useful bookmark collection on your new computer.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. Export bookmarks as an HTML file from your original browser, then import that HTML file into the new browser. The HTML format is universal, so Chrome bookmarks can go into Firefox, Safari bookmarks can go into Edge, and so on. Folder structure usually comes through, though some browsers may organize them slightly differently.

What if I have bookmarks in multiple browsers on my old computer?

Export bookmarks from each browser separately as its own HTML file, then import each file into your new browser. You can import multiple HTML files into the same browser, and they'll all appear in your bookmarks. Name each export file clearly (like "chrome_bookmarks.html" and "firefox_bookmarks.html") so you don't mix them up.

Will my bookmark folders and organization stay the same after I import them?

Usually yes, especially if you're importing into the same browser you exported from. If you're importing into a different browser, folder structure usually comes through, but the exact layout might shift slightly. Check your bookmarks after importing to make sure everything is where you expect it.

Is it safe to email myself the bookmarks HTML file?

Yes. The HTML file contains only the URLs and names of your bookmarks—no passwords or sensitive information. It's safe to email, upload to cloud storage, or share however you normally move files between your computers.

Can I sync bookmarks between a Windows computer and a Mac?

If you use the same browser on both (like Chrome on both machines), sign into the same account on each computer and they'll sync automatically. If you use different browsers, export bookmarks as an HTML file from one computer and import it into the browser on the other. iCloud sync only works between Apple devices, so it won't help if you're mixing Windows and Mac.

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.