How to Transfer Chrome Bookmarks (Export, Import, Backup)

The short answer

To transfer Chrome bookmarks, open the Bookmark Manager, select Export Bookmarks to save an HTML file, then use Import Bookmarks from HTML file on the new computer or browser. Sign in to Chrome to sync bookmarks automatically instead, or use a bookmark manager extension like Raindrop.io for large libraries.

How Do You Transfer Chrome Bookmarks?

Transferring Chrome bookmarks takes two moves: get them out of the old browser or account, then get them into the new one. Chrome supports an HTML export/import cycle for one-off moves, plus account-based sync for keeping devices in step automatically.

Open Chrome and click More (three dots) in the top right, then Bookmarks and lists > Bookmark manager.
Click Organize at the top left and choose Export Bookmarks to save every folder as one HTML file.
On the new computer or browser, open the Bookmark Manager again and choose Import Bookmarks from HTML file from the Organize menu, or use More > Bookmarks and lists > Import bookmarks and settings.
Or skip the file entirely: sign in to Chrome with the same Google Account on both devices and turn on History and tabs syncing.

Fastest option for two Chrome installs

If you're moving between two computers signed into the same Google Account, syncing is faster than exporting: turn it on once and bookmarks appear on every signed-in device without a file to manage.

How to Export Chrome Bookmarks as an HTML File

Exporting creates a single HTML file listing every bookmark and folder, in a format most browsers can read back in. Use this before switching browsers, reinstalling Chrome, or handing off a computer.

On your computer, open Chrome.
At the top right, select More > Bookmarks and lists > Bookmark manager.
At the top, select More (⋮) > Export Bookmarks.
Choose where to save the file — Chrome names it something like bookmarks_9_26_26.html — and click Save.

That file is what you'll use to import bookmarks into another browser, per Google's import and export instructions. If you later need to reformat it for another tool, the Chrome bookmarks converter can restructure the file.

Keep the file

Store the exported HTML file somewhere you'll find again — cloud storage or an external drive — since Chrome doesn't keep a history of past exports for you.

How to Import Bookmarks into Chrome

Chrome can import bookmarks from an HTML file exported by another browser, or read another browser's bookmarks directly if it's installed on the same computer.

On your computer, open Chrome.
At the top right, select More > Bookmarks and lists > Import bookmarks and settings.
Choose the browser you're importing from, or select Bookmarks HTML File to browse to the file you exported earlier.
Select Choose a file, pick your HTML file, then click Open and Done.

No existing Chrome bookmarks: Imported bookmarks appear directly in the bookmarks bar.
Existing Chrome bookmarks: Imported bookmarks land in a new folder named "Imported," or in "Other bookmarks" at the end of the bar if you imported through the Bookmark Manager's Organize menu instead.

Google documents both outcomes in its bookmark import guide; check the bookmarks bar and the "Other bookmarks" folder if an import seems to have vanished.

How to Sync Bookmarks Instead of Exporting Them

Signing in to Chrome with a Google Account can sync bookmarks automatically, so you never have to export or import a file between your own devices.

On your computer, open Chrome and select More > Settings > You and Google.
Turn on History and tabs — this is the toggle that covers bookmark syncing.
Repeat on every device where you want the same bookmarks, signed in with the same Google Account.

If you're already signed in without sync turned on, bookmarks stay on that device only. Click your profile icon and look for Save items in Account to push locally stored bookmarks up before you switch devices, since Chrome only saves them to your Google Account once you ask it to.

Bookmark limit: Google notes you can save up to 100,000 bookmarks in your Google Account before performance suffers; delete unused ones or export them if you're near that limit.
Passphrase: An optional encryption passphrase keeps Google's servers from reading your synced data, but you'll need to re-enter it on every new signed-in device.

Sync isn't a backup file

Sync keeps devices in step with each other, but deleting a bookmark on one signed-in device removes it everywhere. Export an HTML file separately if you want a snapshot you can restore from.

How to Transfer Bookmarks to a New Computer or Different Browser

The right method depends on what you're moving to and whether both ends can sign into the same Google Account.

Bookmark transfer methods by scenario
Scenario	Method	Where to start
New computer, same Google Account	Sign in and turn on sync	Settings > You and Google > History and tabs
New computer, no Google Account or a shared machine	Export HTML, then import HTML	Bookmark manager > Organize
Switching from Firefox, Safari, or Edge to Chrome	Import bookmarks and settings	More > Bookmarks and lists > Import bookmarks and settings
Switching from Chrome to another browser	Export HTML from Chrome, import in the new browser	Bookmark manager > Organize > Export Bookmarks

For the reverse direction — moving away from Chrome — the same Export Bookmarks step applies; the resulting HTML file works in any browser that reads standard bookmark files.

Does This Work on Android and iPhone Chrome Too?

Yes. Bookmark sync uses the same Google Account toggle everywhere Chrome runs, so turning on History and tabs on a desktop also pushes bookmarks to Chrome on Android and iPhone once you sign in there.

Open the Chrome app on your phone and sign in with the same Google Account.
Tap the three-dot menu, then Settings > Sync (or Google services), and confirm History and tabs is on.
Open the bookmarks star or menu to see the same folders you have on desktop.

Mobile Chrome doesn't offer a Bookmark Manager export option the way desktop does, so export any HTML file from a computer first. For extension-based workflows, see how Chrome extensions work on Android and iPhone — most bookmark manager add-ons are desktop-only.

How to Back Up Chrome Bookmarks Before a Reset

Export a fresh HTML file before you reset Chrome, wipe a Chromebook, or hand off a device. Sync alone won't help if the reset also signs you out of your Google Account.

Follow the export steps above and save the file somewhere outside the device you're resetting.
Confirm the file opens and lists your folders before you proceed with the reset.
After the reset, sign back in or import the HTML file to restore your bookmarks.

This matters most before a Chromebook powerwash or a full Chrome settings reset, both of which can wipe local, unsynced bookmarks.

Restarting isn't resetting

A normal restart without losing tabs doesn't touch bookmarks at all — only export before an actual reset, profile removal, or powerwash.

When a Bookmark Manager Extension Helps More Than Chrome's Built-in Tools

Chrome's export/import and sync cover most people. An extension is worth adding when you have a large, tag-heavy library, want a local backup layer beyond sync, or want to read saved links later instead of just filing them away.

Extensions worth checking for bookmark-heavy workflows

Raindrop.ioFreemium

Productivity

All-in-one bookmark manager that organizes and syncs saved links across devices; some organizing features sit behind the freemium plan.

Review Add to Chrome (opens Chrome Web Store)
Session BuddyFree

Productivity

Saves and restores tabs and bookmarks locally, useful as an extra backup layer, but it doesn't sync across devices the way Chrome's account sync does.

Review Add to Chrome (opens Chrome Web Store)
Tab Session ManagerFree

Productivity

Stores window and tab sessions locally with automatic saving, good for scheduled local backups, though the data stays on that device unless you export it manually.

Review Add to Chrome (opens Chrome Web Store)
OneTabFree

Productivity

Collapses a messy pile of open tabs into one exportable list, handy for turning tabs into bookmarks before an import, but it doesn't manage your existing bookmark folders.

Review Add to Chrome (opens Chrome Web Store)
WorkonaFreemium

Productivity

Organizes bookmarks and tabs into project workspaces for ongoing work references; more workspaces require the paid tier.

Review Add to Chrome (opens Chrome Web Store)
InstapaperFreemium

Productivity

Saves articles to read later, even offline, which suits a reading queue better than a general bookmark backup; full-text saving has freemium limits.

Review Add to Chrome (opens Chrome Web Store)

None of these replace the export step above — treat them as a layer on top for organizing, searching, or backing up what Chrome's Bookmark Manager already stores locally. Browse the full productivity extensions hub for more, or compare OneTab alternatives if you're managing more open tabs than bookmarks.

What to Do When Bookmarks Don't Import or Sync Correctly

Most import problems come down to looking in the wrong folder, or a file that wasn't a true bookmarks export.

Nothing appeared after import — check the "Imported" folder or "Other bookmarks" at the end of the bookmarks bar; Chrome doesn't always add new bookmarks to the visible bar.
The HTML file won't open — re-export it; a file edited outside a browser can lose the bookmark markup Chrome expects.
Sync shows old bookmarks on a new device — confirm History and tabs is turned on for that specific device under You and Google, not just that you're signed in.
Bookmarks stopped syncing after a passphrase change — you'll need to re-enter the passphrase on each device; see Google's account sync guide for passphrase resets.

Duplicate folders after import

Importing the same HTML file twice creates a second "Imported" folder rather than merging with the first — delete duplicates manually, since Chrome won't detect them for you.

Frequently asked

How do I import Chrome bookmarks from another browser?

Export bookmarks from your old browser as an HTML file, then in Chrome go to More > Bookmarks and lists > Import bookmarks and settings, choose Bookmarks HTML File, and select that file.

How do I back up Chrome bookmarks before resetting my computer?

Open the Bookmark manager, click Organize, and choose Export Bookmarks to save an HTML copy somewhere outside the device before you reset it.

How do I transfer bookmarks from Chrome to another computer?

If both computers sign in to the same Google Account, turn on History and tabs syncing and skip files entirely. Otherwise, export an HTML file on the first computer and import it on the second.

How do I transfer bookmarks in Chrome without signing in to a Google Account?

Use the Bookmark manager's Export Bookmarks option to create an HTML file, move it to the other computer by USB drive or cloud storage, then import it with Import Bookmarks from HTML file.

What file format does Chrome use to export bookmarks?

Chrome exports an HTML file, a format most major browsers can read back in through their own bookmark import option.

Where do imported bookmarks go in Chrome?

With no existing bookmarks, they land in the bookmarks bar. With existing bookmarks, they go into a new "Imported" folder, or into "Other bookmarks" if imported through the Bookmark manager.

How many bookmarks can I sync to my Google Account?

Google recommends up to 100,000 bookmarks in your account for a smooth experience; beyond that, delete unused ones or export a backup instead.

Can I transfer bookmarks from Chrome to Firefox or Safari?

Yes. Export your Chrome bookmarks as an HTML file from the Bookmark manager, then use Firefox's or Safari's own bookmark import option to load that file.

Why didn't my bookmarks import correctly?

Check the "Imported" folder and "Other bookmarks" at the end of the bookmarks bar first — Chrome often files new bookmarks there instead of the visible bar. If the file won't open, re-export rather than edit it manually.

Does Chrome sync bookmarks automatically?

Only once you sign in and turn on History and tabs syncing under Settings > You and Google; being signed in alone doesn't guarantee bookmarks are syncing.

What happens to my old bookmarks when I import new ones?

Chrome keeps existing bookmarks in place and adds the imported ones into a separate "Imported" or "Other bookmarks" folder rather than merging or overwriting anything.

Do I need an extension to back up Chrome bookmarks?

No, Chrome's built-in Export Bookmarks option is enough for a basic backup. An extension only helps if you also want tagging, search, or a local session backup beyond what Chrome stores.

How to Export, Import and Back Up Chrome Bookmarks