The fastest way depends on which browser you use

Moving your bookmarks to a new computer takes between five and fifteen minutes, depending on whether you sync them automatically or export and import them manually. Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari all let you either sign in to your account on the new machine (which pulls your bookmarks automatically) or export a file from the old computer and import it on the new one. The sign-in method is faster and keeps your bookmarks updated across both machines going forward. The export-import method works if you do not want to use an account or if you are switching to a different browser entirely.

Before you start, decide whether you want your bookmarks synced between computers from now on, or whether you just want a one-time transfer. If you sync, any bookmark you add on one machine appears on the other automatically. If you export and import, the bookmarks move once, and after that the two computers are separate.

Key Takeaways

  • Signing into your browser account on the new computer is the fastest method and automatically syncs your bookmarks between machines.
  • Exporting bookmarks as an HTML file and importing them on the new computer works across different browsers and does not require an account.
  • Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari all store bookmarks in slightly different places, so the export steps differ by browser.
  • If you are switching browsers, export from the old one and import into the new one using the import function in the new browser's menu.

Sign in to your account on the new computer (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari)

The easiest method is to sign into your browser account on the new machine. This pulls all your bookmarks, passwords, and settings automatically, and keeps them synced between computers from that point forward.

In Chrome: Open Chrome on the new computer. Click the profile icon in the top right corner. Select "Sign in to Chrome" and enter your Google account email and password. Chrome will ask which data to sync — make sure "Bookmarks" is checked. Your bookmarks appear within a few seconds.

In Firefox: Open Firefox on the new computer. Click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right. Select "Sign in to Firefox" and enter your Mozilla account email and password. If you do not have a Mozilla account, you can create one for free. Firefox syncs your bookmarks automatically once you sign in.

In Edge: Open Edge on the new computer. Click the profile icon in the top right corner. Select "Sign in" and enter your Microsoft account email and password. Edge syncs your bookmarks, passwords, and browsing history once you are signed in.

In Safari: Open System Preferences (or System Settings on newer Macs). Go to Apple ID. Make sure iCloud is turned on and "Safari" is checked. Your bookmarks sync automatically if you are signed into the same Apple ID on both computers.

Export bookmarks from your old computer

If you do not want to use an account, or if you are switching to a different browser, export your bookmarks as an HTML file instead. This file contains all your bookmarks in a format that any browser can read.

In Chrome: Click the menu icon (three vertical dots) in the top right. Go to "Bookmarks" and then "Bookmark manager." Click the menu icon again (three vertical dots) in the top right of the Bookmark manager. Select "Export bookmarks." Choose where to save the file on your computer.

In Firefox: Click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right. Go to "Bookmarks" and then "Manage Bookmarks." Click the menu icon again (three horizontal lines) in the top left of the window. Select "Export Bookmarks." Choose where to save the file.

In Edge: Click the menu icon (three horizontal dots) in the top right. Go to "Favorites" and then "Manage favorites." Click the menu icon again (three dots) in the top right. Select "Export favorites." Choose where to save the file.

In Safari: Click "File" in the menu bar at the top of the screen. Select "Export Bookmarks." Choose where to save the file.

Import bookmarks on the new computer

Once you have the HTML file, move it to the new computer. You can email it to yourself, put it on a USB drive, or use cloud storage like Google Drive or Dropbox. Then import it into your browser on the new machine.

In Chrome: Click the menu icon (three vertical dots) in the top right. Go to "Bookmarks" and then "Bookmark manager." Click the menu icon again (three vertical dots) in the top right. Select "Import bookmarks." Find and select the HTML file you exported. Chrome adds all the bookmarks to your browser.

In Firefox: Click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right. Go to "Bookmarks" and then "Manage Bookmarks." Click the menu icon again (three horizontal lines) in the top left. Select "Import Bookmarks from HTML." Find and select the HTML file. Firefox imports all your bookmarks into a folder called "Imported Bookmarks."

In Edge: Click the menu icon (three horizontal dots) in the top right. Go to "Favorites" and then "Manage favorites." Click the menu icon again (three dots). Select "Import favorites." Choose the HTML file. Edge imports your bookmarks.

In Safari: Click "File" in the menu bar. Select "Import From" and then choose the browser or file type. If you are importing from an HTML file, select "Bookmarks HTML File" and find your file. Safari imports your bookmarks.

Moving bookmarks between different browsers

If you are switching from one browser to another — for example, from Chrome to Firefox — the export-and-import method is your best option. Export the bookmarks as an HTML file from your old browser, then import that file into the new browser using the steps above. Most browsers can read HTML bookmark files from any other browser, so this works across Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari.

One exception: if you are moving from Internet Explorer or an older version of a browser, the HTML file format may be slightly different. In that case, try importing the file anyway — most modern browsers will read it. If the import fails, you may need to manually recreate your bookmarks or look for a migration tool specific to your old browser.

What to do if your bookmarks do not appear

If you signed into your account and your bookmarks did not sync, wait a few minutes — syncing sometimes takes time on slower internet connections. Then sign out and sign back in. If that does not work, check that you are signed into the correct account. In Chrome and Firefox, click your profile icon to see which account is active.

If you imported an HTML file and the bookmarks appeared in a folder instead of in your main bookmarks bar, you can move them. In Chrome and Firefox, open the Bookmark manager, right-click the imported folder, and select "Move" or "Edit." You can then drag individual bookmarks to your main bookmarks bar or delete the folder if you do not need it.

If the import failed completely, make sure the HTML file is not corrupted. Try exporting your bookmarks again from the old computer and repeating the import process. If you are switching browsers and the import still fails, contact the support page for the new browser — they can tell you whether that browser supports importing from your old one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I move bookmarks from my phone to my computer?

Yes, if you sign into the same account on both devices. In Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, sign into your account on your phone and your computer, and your bookmarks sync automatically between them. In Safari, sign into the same Apple ID on both your iPhone and Mac, and turn on iCloud sync for Safari in Settings.

What if I have bookmarks in multiple folders?

When you export bookmarks as an HTML file, all your folders and subfolders export together. When you import the file, the folder structure comes with it. If the imported bookmarks land in a single folder on the new computer, you can move them back into separate folders by dragging them in the Bookmark manager.

Do I need to delete bookmarks from my old computer after moving them?

No. Moving bookmarks does not delete them from the old computer — it copies them. If you want to remove them from the old machine later, you can delete them manually from the Bookmark manager. If you are syncing between computers, deleting a bookmark on one machine will delete it on the other.

Can I move bookmarks if I forgot my browser account password?

Yes. Use the export-and-import method instead. Export your bookmarks as an HTML file from the old computer, move the file to the new computer, and import it. You do not need an account to export or import bookmarks.

What happens to my bookmarks if I sync between computers and then stop using one?

Your bookmarks stay on both computers. If you sign out of your account on one computer, that computer stops syncing with the others, but the bookmarks you already have on it remain. If you want to keep them synced, stay signed in to your account.