How to Move Your Bookmarks and Favorites to a New Computer

The fastest way depends on your browser

The method to transfer your favorites changes based on which browser you use — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge all store bookmarks differently and move them through different paths. Most browsers let you export your bookmarks as a file, then import that file on the new computer. This takes about five minutes and works even if you're switching to a different browser entirely.

Before you start, decide whether you want to move everything at once or sync your bookmarks across both computers so they stay matched. If you only need the transfer to happen once, exporting and importing is simpler. If you want your bookmarks to update on both machines automatically, setting up sync through your browser account is the better choice.

Key Takeaways

Every major browser can export bookmarks as an HTML file that you can move to another computer and import there.
Chrome, Firefox, and Edge let you sign in with your account on the new computer to sync bookmarks automatically instead of exporting.
The export-and-import method works even if you're switching browsers, but syncing only works within the same browser.
Exported bookmark files are plain text and can be stored on a USB drive, email, or cloud storage to move between computers.

Exporting bookmarks from Chrome

Open Chrome on your current computer and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Bookmarks, then Bookmark Manager. At the top of the Bookmark Manager window, click the three dots again and choose Export bookmarks. Chrome will save your bookmarks as an HTML file to your Downloads folder with a name like "bookmarks_[date].html".

Move this file to your new computer using a USB drive, email, or cloud storage like Google Drive or Dropbox. On the new computer, open Chrome and go back to Bookmarks > Bookmark Manager. Click the three dots at the top and select Import bookmarks. Navigate to the HTML file you moved and click it. Your bookmarks will appear in a folder called "Imported [date]" in your bookmark list.

Exporting bookmarks from Firefox

Click the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top right of Firefox and select Bookmarks, then Manage Bookmarks. In the Library window that opens, click Import and Backup at the top, then choose Export Bookmarks to HTML. Pick a location to save the file — your Desktop or Downloads folder works well — and give it a name you'll recognize.

Transfer the HTML file to your new computer. On the new machine, open Firefox and go to Bookmarks > Manage Bookmarks again. Click Import and Backup and select Import Bookmarks from HTML. Find the file you moved and open it. Firefox will add all your bookmarks to the Bookmarks Menu folder.

Exporting bookmarks from Safari

Open Safari and click File in the menu bar at the top of the screen. Select Export Bookmarks. A save dialog will appear — choose where you want to save the file and click Save. Safari exports bookmarks as an HTML file.

Move this file to your new computer. On the new Mac or PC, open Safari, click File, and select Import From, then Import Bookmarks File. Navigate to the HTML file and click Import. Your bookmarks will be restored to the Bookmarks menu.

Exporting bookmarks from Microsoft Edge

Click the three dots in the top right corner of Edge and select Bookmarks, then Bookmark Manager. Click the three dots in the Bookmark Manager and choose Export bookmarks. Select where to save the file and click Save. Edge creates an HTML file of all your bookmarks.

Transfer the file to your new computer. Open Edge and go to the three-dot menu > Bookmarks > Bookmark Manager. Click the three dots and select Import bookmarks. Find the HTML file you moved and open it. Your bookmarks will appear in a new folder in your bookmark list.

Using browser sync instead of exporting

If you want your bookmarks to stay in sync across both computers without manually exporting and importing, you can sign into your browser account on the new machine. In Chrome, click your profile picture in the top right and select Sign in to Chrome. Enter your Google account email and password. Chrome will automatically read all your bookmarks, history, passwords, and settings to match your old computer.

Firefox, Edge, and Safari work the same way — sign into your Mozilla, Microsoft, or Apple account in the browser settings on the new computer, and your bookmarks will sync automatically. This method is faster than exporting if you plan to keep both computers and want them to stay matched. The downside is that changes on one computer will affect the other, so if you delete a bookmark on your new machine, it disappears from the old one too.

Moving bookmarks between different browsers

If you're switching from one browser to another — for example, moving from Chrome to Firefox — the export-and-import method still works because all browsers use the same HTML bookmark format. Export your bookmarks from your old browser as an HTML file, move that file to your new computer, and import it into your new browser. The folder structure and all your bookmark names will transfer over.

The only limitation is that browser-specific features won't carry over. Chrome Collections, Firefox Tags, and Safari Reading List features are unique to each browser and won't import. Your actual bookmark links and folder names will be fine, but you may need to reorganize some folders or re-add tags after the transfer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I forgot to export my bookmarks before getting a new computer?

If your old computer still works, you can still export the bookmarks from it and move the file to your new computer. If the old computer is gone, check whether you were signed into a browser account. If you were using Chrome with a Google account, Firefox with a Mozilla account, or Edge with a Microsoft account, you can sign back in on your new computer and your bookmarks will read automatically.

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

Yes. Export your bookmarks as an HTML file from your current browser, then import that HTML file into any other browser. All major browsers accept HTML bookmark files, so the format is universal. Some browser-specific features like tags or collections won't transfer, but all your links and folder names will.

Will syncing my bookmarks delete them from my old computer?

No. Syncing creates a copy on both computers that stays matched. If you delete a bookmark on one computer, it will delete from the other because they're linked to the same account. If you want to keep your old computer's bookmarks separate, use the export-and-import method instead of signing into your account.

Is it safe to email myself the bookmark HTML file?

Yes. The HTML file contains only your bookmark links and folder names — no passwords or sensitive information. You can safely email it to yourself, upload it to cloud storage, or put it on a USB drive. Just make sure you delete it from public places once you've imported it on your new computer.

What happens if I import bookmarks twice by mistake?

Your bookmarks will appear twice in a folder. You can delete the duplicate folder manually, or you can undo the import if you catch it right away. In most browsers, pressing Ctrl+Z (or Cmd+Z on Mac) when ready after importing will undo the action.

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.