How to Move Your Bookmarks to a New Computer

The fastest way to move bookmarks between computers

The quickest 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 moves between machines without loss. The whole process takes about five minutes if both computers are in front of you, or longer if you need to transfer the file by email or cloud storage.

If you use the same browser on both machines — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge — you can also sync bookmarks automatically through your browser account instead of exporting and importing manually. This method keeps bookmarks updated across devices going forward, not just a one-time transfer.

Key Takeaways

Export bookmarks from your old computer as an HTML file, then import that file into your new computer's browser using the browser's built-in menu.
Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge all support bookmark export and import through their settings or menu options, though the exact steps differ slightly by browser.
If you sign into the same browser account on your new computer, bookmarks sync automatically without any export or import step.
Bookmark files are small and can be transferred by email, USB drive, cloud storage, or any file-sharing method that works for you.

Exporting bookmarks from Chrome

Open Chrome on your old 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 and choose Export bookmarks. Chrome will save your bookmarks as an HTML file to your Downloads folder with a filename like "bookmarks_[date].html".

Move this file to your new computer by email, cloud storage, USB drive, or any method that works for you. On the new computer, open Chrome and go back to the Bookmark manager. Click the three-dot menu again and select Import bookmarks. Navigate to the HTML file you just moved and open it. Your bookmarks will appear in a folder called "Imported [date]" in your bookmarks bar.

Exporting bookmarks from Firefox

Open Firefox on your old computer and click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right. Select Bookmarks, then hover over Manage bookmarks and click Show all bookmarks. The Library window opens. Click the Import and Backup button (it looks like a star with an arrow), then select Export bookmarks to HTML. Choose where to save the file — your Desktop or Downloads folder is easiest to find later.

Transfer the HTML file to your new computer. Open Firefox there and go to the menu, then Bookmarks > Manage bookmarks > Show all bookmarks. Click Import and Backup again and select Import bookmarks from HTML. Find and open the file you moved. Firefox will add all bookmarks to your Bookmarks menu and toolbar.

Exporting bookmarks from Safari

Open Safari on your old Mac and click File in the menu bar at the top. Select Export Bookmarks. A save dialog appears. Choose where to save the file and click Save. Safari exports bookmarks as an HTML file.

Move the file to your new Mac using email, AirDrop, cloud storage, or USB. On the new Mac, open Safari and click File in the menu bar. Select Import From, then Bookmarks HTML File. Navigate to the file you moved and click Import. Your bookmarks appear in Safari on the new computer.

Exporting bookmarks from Edge

Open Edge on your old computer and click the three-dot menu in the top right corner. Select Bookmarks, then Manage bookmarks. Click the three-dot menu in the Manage bookmarks panel and choose Export bookmarks. Edge saves your bookmarks as an HTML file to your Downloads folder.

Transfer the file to your new computer. Open Edge and go to the menu, then Bookmarks > Manage bookmarks. Click the three-dot menu and select Import bookmarks. Find and open the HTML file. Your bookmarks will be imported and organized in Edge on the new machine.

Using browser sync instead of exporting

If you use the same browser on both computers and have an account with that browser, you can skip the export and import steps entirely. Sign into your browser account on your new computer, and bookmarks sync automatically. This method is faster if you are setting up a new computer from scratch, and it keeps bookmarks in sync between machines going forward.

For Chrome, sign into your Google account when you first open the browser. For Firefox, create or sign into a Mozilla account in Settings under Sync. For Safari, use your Apple ID in System Settings. For Edge, sign in with your Microsoft account. Bookmarks appear within a few minutes on the new device.

Transferring the bookmark file to your new computer

The bookmark HTML file is small — usually less than 1 megabyte — so any file transfer method works. Email the file to yourself and read it on the new computer. Upload it to Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, or another cloud service and read it on the new machine. Copy it to a USB drive and plug the drive into the new computer. Use AirDrop if you are moving bookmarks between two Macs.

Write down the filename or take a screenshot of it before you move the file, so you can find it easily on the new computer. If you lose track of where the file is, check your Downloads folder first — most browsers save exported bookmarks there by default.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I lose any bookmarks if I export and import?

No. The export process creates a copy of all your bookmarks in a standard format that every browser can read. Your original bookmarks stay on the old computer. The import process adds the bookmarks to your new computer without removing anything.

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

Yes. All major browsers export bookmarks as HTML files, and all major browsers can import HTML files. If you are switching from Chrome to Firefox, export from Chrome and import into Firefox. The bookmarks will transfer, though folder structure may not be perfectly preserved in every case.

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

Export bookmarks from each browser separately, then import each file into the corresponding browser on your new computer. If you want all bookmarks in one browser on the new machine, export from each old browser and import all files into the same browser on the new one.

Do I need both computers at the same time to transfer bookmarks?

No. You can export bookmarks on your old computer, save the file somewhere you can access later, and import it on your new computer weeks or months later. The bookmark file does not change or expire.

Will syncing through a browser account overwrite my existing bookmarks on the new computer?

Browser sync merges bookmarks rather than replacing them. If you already have bookmarks on the new computer and you sign into your account, both sets of bookmarks will appear. If you want only the bookmarks from your old computer, export and import the HTML file instead of using sync.

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.