How to Move Your Chrome Bookmarks to Another Computer

Export your bookmarks from the old computer first

The fastest way to move Chrome bookmarks is to export them as an HTML file on your current computer, then import that file on the new one. Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Go to Bookmarks, then Bookmark Manager. At the top of the Bookmark Manager window, click the three dots again and select Export bookmarks. Choose where to save the file — your Desktop works well — and give it a name you'll recognize, like "Chrome_Bookmarks_Backup".

Chrome saves this as an HTML file, which any browser can read. The file contains all your bookmarks, folders, and the order you organized them in. This method works whether you're moving to a Windows computer, a Mac, or a Linux machine, and it doesn't require you to sign into a Google account.

Key Takeaways

Export bookmarks from the old computer using Bookmarks > Bookmark Manager > Export bookmarks, which saves them as an HTML file.
Transfer the HTML file to your new computer using email, a USB drive, cloud storage, or any method that moves files between devices.
Import the file on the new computer by opening Bookmark Manager and selecting Import bookmarks, then choosing the HTML file you saved.
If you sign into the same Google account on the new computer, Chrome can sync your bookmarks automatically without manual export and import.
Merging bookmarks from two different Chrome profiles requires importing the HTML file, since Chrome doesn't have a built-in merge tool.

Transfer the file to your new computer

Once you've exported the HTML file, you need to move it to the new computer. The method depends on what you have available. Email the file to yourself and read it on the new computer. Upload it to Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox, then read it on the new machine. Copy it to a USB drive, plug the drive into the new computer, and copy the file to the Desktop. Any of these methods work equally well.

Keep the file somewhere straightforward to find on the new computer — your Desktop or Downloads folder is ideal. You'll need to locate it in the next step when you import the bookmarks.

Import the bookmarks on the new computer

Open Chrome on your new computer and click the three vertical dots in the top right. Go to Bookmarks, then Bookmark Manager. Click the three dots at the top of the Bookmark Manager window and select Import bookmarks. A file browser will open. Navigate to the HTML file you transferred and click it to select it. Chrome will import all the bookmarks, folders, and their organization into your new browser.

The import happens when ready. Your bookmarks will appear in the Bookmarks Bar and in your Bookmarks folder, organized exactly as they were on the old computer. If you had bookmarks in custom folders, those folders will be recreated during the import.

Use Google account sync instead of manual export

If you're comfortable signing into your Google account on the new computer, Chrome can sync your bookmarks automatically without any file transfer. Sign into Chrome on the new computer with the same Google account you used on the old one. Chrome will ask if you want to sync your data — select Yes, I'm in and choose what to sync. Make sure Bookmarks is checked. Within a few minutes, all your bookmarks from the old computer will appear on the new one.

This method is simpler than exporting and importing if you use the same Google account on both computers. It also keeps your bookmarks in sync going forward — any new bookmarks you add on either computer will appear on the other one automatically. The downside is that you need to remember your Google account password and be willing to sign in on the new machine.

What to do if you're merging bookmarks from two different profiles

If the new computer already has Chrome bookmarks from a different Google account, importing the HTML file will add the old computer's bookmarks without deleting the new ones. Open Bookmark Manager on the new computer, import the HTML file as described above, and both sets of bookmarks will be present. You can then organize them by moving bookmarks between folders or deleting duplicates.

Chrome doesn't have a built-in tool to automatically merge or deduplicate bookmarks, so you'll need to do this manually if you have many duplicates. Create a new folder called "Imported Bookmarks" and import the HTML file into that folder first — this keeps the old bookmarks separate while you decide what to keep.

Troubleshooting common problems

If the import doesn't work, make sure the file is actually an HTML file and not corrupted. Try exporting the bookmarks again from the old computer and transferring the new file. If you're importing on a Mac and the file won't open, right-click the HTML file and select Open With, then choose Chrome from the list.

If you signed into a Google account on the new computer but your bookmarks didn't sync, wait a few minutes — syncing can take time on slower connections. Go to Chrome settings, click You and Google, and check that Sync is on. If sync is off, click Turn on sync and sign in again. If bookmarks still don't appear, export and import the HTML file instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I move bookmarks to a different browser like Firefox or Edge?

Yes. The HTML file Chrome exports works in Firefox, Edge, Safari, and most other browsers. Open the new browser, find its bookmark import option (usually in settings or the menu), and select the HTML file. The bookmarks will import with their folder structure intact.

Will importing bookmarks delete the ones I already have on the new computer?

No. Importing adds the old bookmarks to whatever bookmarks already exist on the new computer. If you have duplicates, you'll need to delete them manually. If you want to replace all bookmarks instead of adding to them, delete the new computer's bookmarks before importing.

What if I forgot to export bookmarks before I stopped using the old computer?

If the old computer is still available, turn it on and export the bookmarks now. If it's gone, check whether you were signed into a Google account in Chrome — if you were, sign into that account on the new computer and your bookmarks may sync automatically from Google's servers.

Do I need to export bookmarks if I'm just signing into the same Google account?

No. If you sign into the same Google account on the new computer, Chrome will sync your bookmarks automatically within a few minutes. You only need to export and import if you're using a different account or if you want a backup copy of your bookmarks.

Can I export bookmarks from Chrome on my phone?

Chrome on phones doesn't have an export option. If you're moving to a new phone, sign into the same Google account and your bookmarks will sync automatically. If you need an HTML backup, export from Chrome on a computer instead.

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.