How to Move Your Bookmarks to a New Computer

The fastest way to move bookmarks between computers

The simplest method is to export your bookmarks from your current browser as a file, then import that file into the same browser on your new computer. Most browsers store bookmarks in a standard format that any computer can read, so you do not need special software or internet access during the transfer—just a USB drive, email, or cloud storage to move the file between machines.

The exact steps depend on which browser you use. Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge all have built-in export and import tools, and the process takes about five minutes on each end. If you use multiple browsers or want your bookmarks synced automatically across devices going forward, you can also set up browser sync instead, which keeps bookmarks updated on every computer where you sign in.

Key Takeaways

Export bookmarks as an HTML file from your current browser, then import that file into the same browser on your new computer.
Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge all have export and import options built into their menus—no additional software needed.
Browser sync (signing into your account on the new computer) automatically copies bookmarks without needing a file transfer.
If you use multiple browsers, export from each one separately, since bookmarks do not transfer between different browsers.
Keep the exported HTML file as a backup even after importing, in case you need to restore bookmarks later.

How to export bookmarks from Chrome

Open Chrome on your current computer and click the three-line menu icon in the top right corner. Select Bookmarks, then Bookmark manager. At the top of the bookmark manager window, click the three-dot menu icon and choose Export bookmarks. Chrome will save an HTML file to your Downloads folder with a name like "bookmarks_[date].html".

Move this file to your new computer using a USB drive, email, or cloud storage. On the new computer, open Chrome and go back to the bookmark manager (three-line menu > Bookmarks > Bookmark manager). Click the three-dot menu again and select Import bookmarks. Navigate to the HTML file you just transferred and click it. Chrome will add all your bookmarks to the new computer within seconds.

How to export bookmarks from Firefox

Open Firefox and click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right. Select Bookmarks, then hover over Manage Bookmarks and click Show All Bookmarks. In the Library window that opens, click the Import and Backup button (it looks like a gear icon) and select Export Bookmarks to HTML. Choose where to save the file—your Desktop or Downloads folder works well.

Transfer the HTML file to your new computer. On the new machine, open Firefox, go to the menu, select Bookmarks > Manage Bookmarks > Show All Bookmarks again. Click Import and Backup and choose Restore from Backup, then select the HTML file you transferred. Firefox will restore all your bookmarks in a few seconds. If you want to add these bookmarks to your existing ones rather than replace them, use Import Bookmarks from HTML instead of Restore.

How to export bookmarks from Safari

Open Safari and click File in the menu bar at the top of the screen. Select Export Bookmarks. A save dialog will appear—choose where to save the file (Desktop or Downloads is easiest) and click Save. Safari exports bookmarks as an HTML file.

Move the file to your new computer. On the new machine, open Safari, click File in the menu bar, and select Import From > Bookmarks HTML File. Navigate to the file you transferred and click Import. Your bookmarks will appear in Safari on the new computer, usually in a folder called "Imported" at the bottom of your bookmarks list.

How to export bookmarks from Microsoft Edge

Open Edge and click the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner. Select Favorites, then click the three-dot menu inside the Favorites panel and choose Manage favorites. In the Favorites window, click the three-dot menu again and select Export favorites. Edge will save an HTML file to your Downloads folder.

Transfer the file to your new computer. On the new machine, open Edge, click the three-dot menu, select Favorites > Manage favorites. Click the three-dot menu and choose Import favorites. Select the HTML file you transferred, and Edge will add all your bookmarks to the new computer.

Using browser sync to keep bookmarks updated automatically

If you want bookmarks to stay synchronized across multiple computers without manually exporting and importing, you can turn on browser sync. Sign into your browser account on your new computer, and the browser will automatically read your bookmarks from the cloud.

In Chrome, click the profile icon in the top right and sign into your Google account. Chrome will ask if you want to sync your data—select Sync all or choose which data types to sync, and make sure Bookmarks is checked. In Firefox, click the menu icon and select Sign in to Firefox, then enter your Firefox account credentials. In Safari, go to System Preferences > iCloud and check the Safari box if you use iCloud. In Edge, click the profile icon and sign into your Microsoft account, then turn on sync in Settings > Profiles > Sync.

Sync works best if you plan to use the same browser on both computers. If you switch browsers or want a one-time backup, the export method is more reliable.

What to do if you use multiple browsers

If your bookmarks are spread across Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge, you will need to export from each browser separately and import into each one on your new computer. Each browser stores bookmarks in its own location and does not automatically read bookmarks from other browsers.

Export all your bookmarks to HTML files, label them clearly (like "Chrome_bookmarks.html" and "Firefox_bookmarks.html"), and transfer them all to your new computer. Then import each file into its matching browser. If you want all your bookmarks in one place on the new computer, consider choosing a single browser as your main one and importing all the HTML files into it—most browsers allow you to import multiple files.

Troubleshooting common bookmark transfer problems

If your bookmarks do not appear after importing, check that you selected the correct HTML file and that the file was not corrupted during transfer. Try transferring the file again using a different method (email instead of USB, for example). If the import button is grayed out or missing, make sure you are in the bookmark manager or settings area, not just the main browser window.

If some bookmarks are missing after import, check whether they were stored in a subfolder or a different bookmark location in the original browser. Some browsers organize bookmarks differently, and occasionally a folder structure does not transfer perfectly. You can manually re-add missing bookmarks, or try exporting again and checking the HTML file in a text editor to see if the bookmarks are actually there.

Keep the original HTML file as a backup on a USB drive or in cloud storage. If something goes wrong during import or you need to restore bookmarks later, you will have a copy to work from.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I move bookmarks from one browser to a completely different browser?

Yes, but not automatically. Export your bookmarks as an HTML file from your current browser, then import that file into the new browser on the same computer. The HTML format is standard across all major browsers, so Chrome bookmarks can be imported into Firefox, Safari, or Edge without any conversion needed.

What if I forgot to export my bookmarks before getting a new computer?

If your old computer still works, you can still export bookmarks from it and transfer them to the new one. If the old computer is gone, check whether you had browser sync turned on—if so, sign into your browser account on the new computer and your bookmarks will read automatically. If you did not use sync, the bookmarks are unfortunately lost unless you have a backup.

Will exporting bookmarks delete them from my old computer?

No. Exporting creates a copy of your bookmarks in a file; it does not remove them from the original browser. Your bookmarks will stay on the old computer exactly as they were.

Do I need to be connected to the internet to export and import bookmarks?

You do not need internet to export bookmarks or to import them from a file. However, if you use browser sync instead of manual export and import, you will need an internet connection on the new computer so the browser can read your bookmarks from the cloud.

Can I import the same bookmark file into multiple computers?

Yes. The HTML file is just a copy of your bookmarks, so you can import it into as many computers as you want. This is useful if you are setting up several new machines or want to keep a backup copy on multiple devices.

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.