How to Move Your Chrome Bookmarks to Another Computer

The fastest way to transfer Chrome bookmarks

The quickest method is to sign into your Google account on the new computer. When you open Chrome and log in with the same Google account you use on your current computer, your bookmarks sync automatically within a few minutes. You do not need to export or import anything — Chrome handles it in the background.

If you prefer not to sign in, or if you want to transfer bookmarks without syncing your entire Chrome profile, you can export bookmarks as an HTML file on your current computer and import that file on the new one. This takes about five minutes total and gives you full control over which bookmarks move.

Key Takeaways

Signing into your Google account on the new computer syncs bookmarks automatically without any manual steps.
Exporting bookmarks as an HTML file works if you want to transfer them without signing in or syncing your full profile.
The export file saves to your Downloads folder by default and can be imported into Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge.
Syncing takes a few minutes; the export-and-import method takes about five minutes total from start to finish.

Sign in to sync bookmarks automatically

Open Chrome on your new computer and click the profile icon in the top right corner (it looks like a circle with your initial or a generic person shape). Select "Sign in to Chrome" and enter the email address and password for the Google account you use on your current computer.

Chrome will ask which data you want to sync. Make sure the checkbox next to "Bookmarks" is checked. Then click "Sync" or "Continue." Within two to five minutes, all bookmarks from your current computer will appear in the new one under the same folder structure you had before.

If you have already signed in but bookmarks are not showing, go to Settings (the three-line menu in the top right, then "Settings"), click "You and Google" on the left, and check that "Sync is on." If it shows "Sync is off," click it and turn sync back on.

Export bookmarks as an HTML file

On your current computer, open Chrome and click the three-line menu in the top right corner. Hover over "Bookmarks" and then click "Bookmark manager." This opens a new tab showing all your bookmarks organized by folder.

In the Bookmark manager tab, click the three-dot menu in the top right corner of the page (not the browser menu). Select "Export bookmarks." A window will open asking where to save the file. Choose your Downloads folder and click "Save." The file will be named "bookmarks_[date].html" — note where it saves so you can find it on the new computer.

Import bookmarks on the new computer

Move the HTML file to your new computer. You can email it to yourself, use a USB drive, or use cloud storage like Google Drive or Dropbox. Once the file is on the new computer, open Chrome and click the three-line menu in the top right.

Hover over "Bookmarks" and then click "Bookmark manager." Click the three-dot menu in the top right of the Bookmark manager tab and select "Import bookmarks." A window will open. Find and select the HTML file you saved from your current computer, then click "Open." Chrome will import all the bookmarks and recreate the same folder structure within a few seconds.

What happens to bookmarks in different scenarios

If you sign in to Chrome on the new computer but do not turn on sync, bookmarks will not transfer. You must enable sync in Settings under "You and Google" for automatic transfer to work.

If you export bookmarks and then import them on a computer where you are already signed in and syncing, you may see duplicate bookmarks. To avoid this, either import first and then sign in, or turn off sync before importing and turn it back on after.

If you export bookmarks from Chrome and want to use them in Firefox, Safari, or Edge instead, the HTML file works in all of those browsers. In Firefox, go to Bookmarks menu, click "Manage Bookmarks," then click the menu icon and select "Import and Backup" > "Import Bookmarks from HTML." The process is similar in Safari and Edge.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

The most common mistake is signing in to Chrome but forgetting to check that sync is turned on. After you sign in, go to Settings and look under "You and Google" — if it says "Sync is off," click it and enable sync. Bookmarks will not transfer without this step.

Another mistake is exporting bookmarks, then importing them on a computer where you are already signed in and syncing. This creates duplicates because Chrome syncs the original bookmarks from your account at the same time you are importing the HTML file. If you want to import an HTML file, do it before you sign in, or turn off sync first.

Do not delete the HTML export file when ready after importing. Keep it in your Downloads folder or back it up to cloud storage for at least a week. If something goes wrong with the import, you can re-import the file without having to export again from your current computer.

Transferring bookmarks to a different browser

If you are moving to Firefox, Safari, Edge, or another browser, the HTML export method is the best choice. Export your bookmarks from Chrome as described above, then open the new browser and look for an import option in the Bookmarks or History menu.

In Firefox, click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right, go to "Bookmarks," then "Manage Bookmarks." Click the menu icon in the Bookmark manager window and select "Import and Backup" > "Import Bookmarks from HTML." In Safari, click "File" in the menu bar, then "Import From," and select "Chrome." In Edge, click the three-dot menu, go to "Bookmarks," then "Import bookmarks," and choose "Chrome" as the source.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my bookmarks sync if I do not sign into Chrome on the new computer?

No. Syncing requires you to sign in with your Google account. If you do not want to sign in, use the export-and-import method instead. Export bookmarks as an HTML file on your current computer and import that file on the new one.

How long does it take for bookmarks to sync after I sign in?

Usually two to five minutes. If bookmarks do not appear after ten minutes, go to Settings, click "You and Google," and check that sync is turned on. If it is off, click it to enable it and wait another few minutes.

Can I import bookmarks without erasing the ones I already have on the new computer?

Yes. When you import an HTML file, Chrome adds those bookmarks to your existing ones instead of replacing them. If you sign in and sync, bookmarks from your Google account will merge with any local bookmarks you already have.

What if I lose the HTML export file after importing it?

If you are signed in and syncing, your bookmarks are safe in your Google account and will not be lost. If you are not signed in, you can export bookmarks again from your current computer. Keep a backup copy of the HTML file in cloud storage if you think you might need it later.

Can I transfer bookmarks from Chrome to a phone or tablet?

Yes, by signing into your Google account on the phone or tablet. Open Chrome on the mobile device, tap the profile icon, sign in with the same Google account, and turn on sync. Bookmarks will appear in the Chrome menu on mobile within a few minutes.

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.