Export bookmarks from Chrome using the built-in menu

The fastest way to move your bookmarks to another computer is to export them as an HTML file from Chrome, then import that file on the new machine. Chrome stores this option in the Bookmark Manager, which you can reach by pressing Ctrl+Shift+B on Windows or Cmd+Shift+B on Mac. If that keyboard shortcut does not work, click the three-dot menu in the top right of Chrome, hover over "Bookmarks," then click "Bookmark Manager."

Once the Bookmark Manager opens, click the three-dot menu in the top right corner of that panel. Select "Export bookmarks." Chrome will prompt you to choose where to save the HTML file. Pick a location you can find easily — your Desktop or Downloads folder works well. Name the file something clear like "chrome_bookmarks_backup" so you know what it contains. Click "Save," and the file is ready to move to your other computer.

Key Takeaways

  • Export bookmarks as an HTML file by opening Bookmark Manager (Ctrl+Shift+B on Windows, Cmd+Shift+B on Mac), clicking the three-dot menu, and selecting "Export bookmarks."
  • Save the HTML file to a location you can access from your other computer, such as a USB drive, cloud storage, or email attachment.
  • On the new computer, open Chrome's Bookmark Manager, click the three-dot menu, select "Import bookmarks," and choose the HTML file you exported.
  • Imported bookmarks appear in a new folder called "Imported" unless you move them manually to your preferred location.
  • This method works on Windows, Mac, and Linux, and the HTML file format is compatible across all versions of Chrome.

Transfer the bookmark file to your other computer

After you have exported the HTML file, you need to move it to the computer where you want to import the bookmarks. The method depends on what you have available. If both computers are on the same network, you can email the file to yourself, upload it to cloud storage like Google Drive or OneDrive, or copy it to a USB drive and plug that drive into the other computer.

Cloud storage is often the simplest option because you do not need a physical cable or drive. Upload the HTML file to your cloud storage account on the first computer, then read it on the second computer. Make sure you remember where you saved it on the new machine — your Downloads folder is a safe default.

Import bookmarks into Chrome on the new computer

On the computer where you want to restore your bookmarks, open Chrome and press Ctrl+Shift+B (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+B (Mac) to open the Bookmark Manager. If that does not work, use the three-dot menu and select "Bookmarks," then "Bookmark Manager."

In the Bookmark Manager, click the three-dot menu in the top right corner. This time, select "Import bookmarks." A file browser will open. Navigate to the HTML file you transferred from your first computer and click it to select it. Click "Open," and Chrome will import all the bookmarks from that file. The process takes only a few seconds.

Find your imported bookmarks

After import, Chrome creates a folder called "Imported" in your Bookmark Manager and places all the bookmarks you transferred inside it. You can see this folder by opening the Bookmark Manager and looking at the left sidebar. The bookmarks are now on your new computer, but they sit in a separate folder rather than mixed in with any bookmarks you may have already created on that machine.

If you want to organize them differently, you can drag bookmarks from the "Imported" folder to other locations. You can move them to your Bookmarks Bar, create new folders for them, or leave them where they are. Right-click any bookmark to rename it, change its web address, or delete it if you no longer need it.

Use Chrome sync instead if both computers share the same account

If you sign into Chrome with the same Google account on both computers, you do not need to export and import manually. Chrome can sync your bookmarks automatically between machines. On the first computer, click the three-dot menu, go to "Settings," then click "Sync and Google services" on the left. Make sure "Bookmarks" is toggled on. On the second computer, sign into Chrome with the same Google account and turn on sync in the same location.

Syncing is faster than exporting and importing if you plan to use both computers regularly, because any new bookmarks you add on one machine appear on the other automatically. However, if you only need to move bookmarks once and do not want to sign in with the same account, the export method works just as well.

What to do if the import does not work

If Chrome does not recognize your HTML file or the import fails, check that the file is actually an HTML file and not a text file with the wrong extension. Right-click the file, select "Properties" (Windows) or "Get Info" (Mac), and look at the file type. It should say "HTML Document" or have a .html extension. If it says .txt, rename the file to add .html at the end and try importing again.

If the file is correct but Chrome still will not import it, try opening the HTML file directly in Chrome by dragging it into a Chrome window or using File > Open File. Chrome may display the bookmarks as a webpage rather than importing them, but you can then manually recreate any bookmarks you need. For most users, the standard import process works without problems on the first try.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I export bookmarks from Chrome on a Mac and import them on a Windows computer?

Yes. The HTML file format that Chrome exports is the same on all operating systems. Export on your Mac, transfer the file to your Windows computer, and import it using the same steps. The bookmarks will work identically on both systems.

Will importing bookmarks overwrite the bookmarks I already have on the new computer?

No. Imported bookmarks go into a separate "Imported" folder and do not touch your existing bookmarks. You can then move or delete bookmarks from the "Imported" folder as you wish, or leave them there and organize them later.

What happens to my bookmarks if I export them and then delete the HTML file?

Deleting the HTML file does not affect the bookmarks already in Chrome on either computer. The file is only a backup. Once you import the bookmarks into Chrome on the new computer, you can delete the HTML file safely. Keep a copy if you want a backup of your bookmarks outside of Chrome.

Can I export bookmarks from Chrome on my phone?

Chrome on Android and iPhone does not have a built-in export feature. If you need your phone bookmarks on a computer, sign into Chrome with the same Google account on both devices and turn on sync. Your bookmarks will appear automatically on the computer without needing to export anything.

How large can the bookmark file be?

Chrome can handle HTML files with thousands of bookmarks. File size is rarely a problem unless you have tens of thousands of bookmarks. If you are transferring the file over email, most email providers accept files up to 25 MB, which is far larger than any typical bookmark collection.