How to Transfer Your Bookmarks to a New Computer

The fastest way depends on which browser you use

The simplest method is to sign into your browser account on the new computer — Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari all sync bookmarks automatically when you log in. If you use Chrome, sign into your Google account; Firefox uses a Mozilla account; Edge uses your Microsoft account; Safari uses your Apple ID. Your bookmarks appear within minutes, and they stay in sync across all your devices going forward.

If you do not want to use an account, or if your old computer is not available, you can export bookmarks as a file and import them into the new computer. This takes about five minutes and works across different browsers — you can move bookmarks from Chrome to Firefox, for example, or from Safari to Edge.

Key Takeaways

Signing into your browser account on the new computer automatically transfers bookmarks within minutes, and this is the fastest method for most people.
If both computers are available at the same time, exporting bookmarks as an HTML file from the old computer and importing them into the new one takes about five minutes.
Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari all support exporting bookmarks; the steps are slightly different for each browser but follow the same basic pattern.
Imported bookmarks appear in a folder called "Imported Bookmarks" or similar, and you can move them into your existing folders afterward.

Transferring bookmarks using your browser account

Chrome: On your new computer, open Chrome and click the three-line menu in the top right corner. Select "Sign in to Chrome" and enter your Google email and password. A dialog box asks what you want to sync — make sure "Bookmarks" is checked. Click "Sync" and wait for the process to finish, usually within two to five minutes. Your bookmarks appear in the bookmark bar and the Bookmarks menu.

Firefox: Open Firefox on the new computer and click the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top right. Select "Sign in to Firefox" and enter your Mozilla email and password. Firefox syncs your bookmarks automatically; check the Bookmarks menu to confirm they have arrived. This usually takes two to five minutes.

Edge: Open Edge and click the three-dot menu in the top right. Select "Sign in" and enter your Microsoft account email and password. Edge syncs bookmarks automatically once you are signed in. Your bookmarks appear in the Favorites menu on the left side of the window.

Safari: Open System Preferences (or System Settings on newer Macs) and select "Apple ID." Click "iCloud" and make sure "Safari" is checked. On your new Mac, sign into the same Apple ID in System Preferences, enable iCloud Safari sync, and your bookmarks appear within a few minutes.

Exporting bookmarks from your old computer

Export bookmarks as an HTML file if you want to move them without signing into an account, or if your old computer is no longer available. The file is small — usually less than 1 MB — and you can email it to yourself, save it to a USB drive, or upload it to cloud storage like Google Drive or Dropbox.

Chrome: Click the three-line menu in the top right and hover over "Bookmarks." Select "Bookmark manager." In the Bookmark manager window, click the three-dot menu in the top right and select "Export bookmarks." Choose where to save the file — your Desktop is easiest to find later. The file is named "bookmarks_[date].html."

Firefox: Click the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top right and select "Bookmarks." Hover over "Manage bookmarks" and click "Show all bookmarks." In the Library window that opens, click the menu button (three horizontal lines) at the top left and select "Export bookmarks." Choose your Desktop and save the file.

Edge: Click the three-dot menu in the top right and select "Favorites." Click the three-dot menu next to "Favorites" and select "Manage favorites." Click the three-dot menu again and select "Export favorites." Choose where to save the file.

Safari: Click "File" in the menu bar at the top of the screen and select "Export Bookmarks." A dialog box opens — choose where to save the file and click "Save." The file is named "Bookmarks.html."

Importing bookmarks on your new computer

Once you have the HTML file, open it on your new computer using your browser. The import process is slightly different for each browser, but all of them create a folder called "Imported Bookmarks" or "Imported" where the bookmarks land.

Chrome: Click the three-line menu and hover over "Bookmarks." Select "Bookmark manager." Click the three-dot menu in the top right and select "Import bookmarks." A file browser opens — find and select the HTML file you exported. Click "Open" and Chrome imports all the bookmarks into a folder called "Imported."

Firefox: Click the menu button and select "Bookmarks." Hover over "Manage bookmarks" and click "Show all bookmarks." In the Library window, click the menu button at the top left and select "Import and backup" then "Import bookmarks from HTML." Find and select your HTML file and click "Open."

Edge: Click the three-dot menu and select "Favorites." Click the three-dot menu next to "Favorites" and select "Manage favorites." Click the three-dot menu again and select "Import favorites." A file browser opens — select your HTML file and click "Open."

Safari: Click "File" in the menu bar and select "Import From." A file browser opens — find and select your Bookmarks.html file and click "Import." Safari places the imported bookmarks in a folder called "Imported" in your Bookmarks menu.

Organizing imported bookmarks in your new browser

After importing, your bookmarks sit in a single folder. You can move them into your existing folders or delete the ones you no longer use. This takes a few minutes but makes your bookmarks easier to find.

Chrome and Edge: Open the Bookmark manager and find the "Imported" folder. Right-click on a bookmark inside it and select "Move to" to choose a new location. You can also drag and drop bookmarks from the Imported folder into other folders. Once you have moved everything you want to keep, right-click the empty "Imported" folder and select "Delete" to remove it.

Firefox: Open the Library window (Bookmarks menu, then "Show all bookmarks"). Find the "Imported Bookmarks" folder on the left side. Drag bookmarks from this folder into your other folders, or right-click a bookmark and select "Move" to choose a destination. Delete the empty folder when you are done.

Safari: Open the Bookmarks menu and find the "Imported" folder. Drag bookmarks from this folder into your other bookmark folders. You can also right-click a bookmark and select "Edit" to move it. Once the folder is empty, right-click it and select "Delete" to remove it.

What to do if bookmarks do not appear

If you signed into your browser account and bookmarks did not sync, wait a few more minutes — sync sometimes takes longer on slower internet connections. If nothing appears after ten minutes, sign out and sign back in. Open your browser settings, find the account or sync section, and look for a "Sync now" button to force an when ready sync.

If you imported an HTML file and the bookmarks do not appear, check that you selected the correct file. Some browsers show imported bookmarks in a separate folder that you have to open manually — look for a folder called "Imported Bookmarks," "Imported," or the date the file was created. If the file is corrupted or incomplete, try exporting the bookmarks again from your old computer.

If your old computer is no longer available and you did not export bookmarks, check whether you have a backup. If you use Windows, check your user folder for a "Bookmarks" or "Favorites" folder — Windows sometimes stores these automatically. On a Mac, check your Library folder (in Finder, press Command-Shift-L to open it) for a "Safari" or "Chrome" folder that may contain bookmark files.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer bookmarks between different browsers?

Yes. Export bookmarks as an HTML file from your old browser, then import that file into your new browser. All major browsers support HTML export and import, so you can move bookmarks from Chrome to Firefox, Safari to Edge, or any other combination. The imported bookmarks appear in a folder you can organize afterward.

Will my bookmarks sync automatically after I import them?

Only if you sign into a browser account. Imported bookmarks stay on that computer unless you set up account sync. If you want bookmarks to sync across multiple devices going forward, sign into your browser account after importing — new bookmarks you create will sync automatically.

What if I have bookmarks in multiple folders?

Both methods — account sync and HTML export — transfer all your folders and the bookmarks inside them. When you import an HTML file, all folders appear inside the "Imported" folder, and you can move them to your preferred locations. Account sync preserves your folder structure exactly as it was on your old computer.

How do I know if my bookmarks finished syncing?

In Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, look for a sync icon or status message in the settings menu — it usually shows a checkmark or "Synced" when complete. In Safari, syncing happens silently in the background; open the Bookmarks menu and check whether your bookmarks appear. If you are unsure, wait five to ten minutes and check again.

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

Yes. Use the HTML export and import method instead. Export bookmarks as an HTML file from your old computer, save it to a USB drive or email it to yourself, then import it on your new computer. You do not need to sign into an account to import bookmarks from a file.

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.