The fastest way to move your bookmarks

You can move your Chrome bookmarks to another computer by exporting them as an HTML file, then importing that file into Chrome on the new machine. The process takes about five minutes and works whether you're switching computers, setting up a new device, or sharing bookmarks with someone else.

Chrome stores bookmarks in a format it can read on any operating system—Windows, Mac, or Linux. You don't need to sign in to a Google account or use Chrome's sync feature, though that's another option if you prefer automatic updates across devices.

Key Takeaways

  • Export bookmarks from Chrome by opening the menu, selecting Bookmarks, then choosing Export Bookmarks—this creates a single HTML file you can move to another computer.
  • The exported file works on Windows, Mac, and Linux versions of Chrome without any conversion or special software.
  • Import the file on the new computer by opening the same Bookmarks menu and selecting Import Bookmarks, then choosing the HTML file you exported.
  • If you use Chrome on multiple devices regularly, signing into your Google account in Chrome will sync bookmarks automatically instead of requiring manual export and import.

How to export bookmarks from your current computer

Open Chrome and click the three-line menu icon in the top right corner. Go to Bookmarks, then hover over it to see the submenu. Click Bookmark Manager.

In the Bookmark Manager window, click the three-dot menu icon in the top right. Select Export bookmarks. A dialog box will appear asking you where to save the file. Choose a location you'll remember—your Desktop or Downloads folder works well. Name the file something clear like "Chrome Bookmarks" and click Save. The file will be saved as an HTML document.

That HTML file now contains every bookmark, folder, and subfolder you have in Chrome. You can copy it to a USB drive, email it to yourself, upload it to cloud storage, or transfer it however you plan to move it to the other computer.

How to import bookmarks on the new computer

On the new computer, open Chrome and click the three-line menu. Go to Bookmarks, then click Bookmark Manager.

Click the three-dot menu in the top right of the Bookmark Manager window. Select Import bookmarks. A file browser will open. Navigate to the HTML file you exported and select it. Chrome will read the file and add all your bookmarks to the new computer in the same folder structure you had before.

The bookmarks appear when ready—you don't need to restart Chrome or do anything else. They'll be in a folder called "Imported" at the top of your bookmarks list, or they may merge with existing bookmarks if you've already set up Chrome on that computer.

What happens to your bookmark folders and organization

Chrome preserves the folder structure when you export and import. If you had bookmarks organized into folders like "Work," "Shopping," and "News," those folders and everything inside them will appear exactly the same way on the new computer.

Subfolders (folders within folders) are also preserved. The only thing that doesn't transfer is the order of your bookmarks within each folder if you've customized it—they'll import in alphabetical order by default, though you can rearrange them afterward by dragging and dropping.

Using Chrome sync as an alternative to manual export

If you plan to use Chrome on both computers regularly, you can skip the export-and-import process by signing into your Google account in Chrome. Click your profile icon in the top right corner of Chrome and select Sign in. Enter your Google email and password.

Once you're signed in, go to Settings (three-line menu, then Settings), click Sync and Google services on the left, and make sure Sync everything is turned on. Your bookmarks will then update automatically on any device where you're signed into that Google account. This is more convenient than exporting if you switch between computers often, but it requires maintaining a Google account and an internet connection.

Troubleshooting if bookmarks don't appear after import

If you import the HTML file and don't see your bookmarks, first check the "Imported" folder at the top of your bookmarks list—they may have landed there instead of merging with your existing bookmarks. Click the three dots next to the Imported folder and select Open all to see what's inside.

If the Imported folder is empty or missing, the HTML file may be corrupted or in the wrong format. Go back to the original computer and export the bookmarks again, making sure you're clicking Export bookmarks (not Export settings, which is different). Verify the file size is more than a few kilobytes—a file that's only 1 or 2 KB usually means it's empty or incomplete.

If you're importing on a Mac and the file won't open, make sure the HTML file doesn't have a .txt extension. Some email programs or text editors add .txt automatically. Rename the file to remove .txt if it's there, keeping only the .html extension.

Moving bookmarks between different browsers

If you're moving to a browser other than Chrome—Firefox, Edge, Safari, or another browser—the HTML export still works. Most modern browsers can import from an HTML bookmarks file. In Firefox, go to Bookmarks menu, click Manage Bookmarks, then click the menu icon and select Import and Backup > Import Bookmarks from HTML. In Edge, click the three-dot menu, go to Favorites, then Manage favorites > Import favorites.

The folder structure usually transfers, though some browsers may organize imported bookmarks slightly differently. Check your browser's help documentation if the import option isn't where you expect it.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. The HTML file Chrome creates works on any operating system. Export on your Mac, transfer the file to the Windows computer, and import it there—the bookmarks will appear exactly as they were.

Will exporting bookmarks delete them from my original computer?

No. Exporting creates a copy. Your original bookmarks stay in Chrome on the first computer. You can export as many times as you want.

What if I only want to export some bookmarks, not all of them?

Chrome's export function exports everything. If you need only certain bookmarks, you can manually copy them to a new folder on the original computer, then export just that folder by right-clicking it in the Bookmark Manager and looking for an export option (availability varies by Chrome version). Alternatively, export everything and delete the bookmarks you don't need after importing them on the new computer.

How do I know if the import worked?

Open the Bookmark Manager on the new computer after importing. You should see your bookmarks listed with the same folder names and organization. Click on a few bookmarks to make sure they open the correct websites.

Can I import the same HTML file multiple times?

Yes. Each time you import, Chrome adds the bookmarks from the file. If you import the same file twice, you'll end up with duplicate bookmarks, so you'd need to delete the extras manually.