The fastest way to move your bookmarks out of Chrome

Chrome stores your bookmarks in a file you can read, then import into another browser or computer. The process takes about five minutes: you export from Chrome as an HTML file, then import that file into your new browser. This works whether you are switching to Firefox, Safari, Edge, or moving to a different computer entirely.

The HTML file format is a standard that almost every browser understands, so your bookmarks will transfer cleanly without losing folder structure or names. You do not need to sign into anything or use cloud sync — you are just moving a file from one place to another.

Key Takeaways

  • Chrome exports bookmarks as a single HTML file through Settings > Bookmarks > Bookmark Manager > the three-dot menu > Export Bookmarks.
  • The exported file contains all your bookmarks, folders, and the order they appear in, and works with Firefox, Safari, Edge, and most other browsers.
  • You can import the file into a new browser by opening its bookmark import tool and selecting the HTML file you downloaded.
  • If you only want to move some bookmarks, you can create a new folder in Chrome, move bookmarks into it, then export — but you will still export the entire file and delete unwanted bookmarks after importing.

How to export bookmarks from Chrome

Open Chrome and click the three-dot menu in the top right corner. Go to Bookmarks > Bookmark Manager. In the Bookmark Manager window, click the three-dot menu again (it appears in the top right of the Bookmark Manager, not the browser). Select Export Bookmarks.

A save dialog will appear. Choose where you want to save the file — your Desktop or Downloads folder works well. Chrome will name it "bookmarks_[date].html" by default. You can rename it to something simpler like "my_bookmarks.html" if you want. Click Save.

The file is now on your computer. You can see it in your file manager, email it to yourself, copy it to a USB drive, or move it to another computer. The file is small — usually less than 1 MB — so it transfers quickly.

How to import bookmarks into Firefox

Open Firefox and click the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top right. Go to Bookmarks > Manage Bookmarks. In the Library window that opens, click the Import and Backup button (it looks like a star with an arrow). Select Import Bookmarks from HTML.

A file browser will open. Navigate to the bookmarks HTML file you exported from Chrome and select it. Firefox will import all your bookmarks, folders, and their order. They will appear in a new folder called "Imported Bookmarks" or directly into your existing bookmark structure, depending on your Firefox version.

How to import bookmarks into Safari

Open Safari and go to File > Import From in the menu bar. Select Chrome (if you are importing from Chrome on the same Mac) or select Other to browse for the HTML file. If you choose Other, navigate to the bookmarks HTML file and click Open.

Safari will import your bookmarks into the Bookmarks menu and the sidebar. Unlike Firefox, Safari does not create a separate folder for imported bookmarks — they merge into your existing structure. If you want to keep them separate, create a new folder in Safari first, then move the imported bookmarks into it after the import is complete.

How to import bookmarks into Microsoft Edge

Open Edge and click the three-dot menu in the top right. Go to Bookmarks > Import Bookmarks and Settings. Select the source browser — if you are importing from a file rather than directly from Chrome, select "Bookmarks HTML file".

A file browser will open. Navigate to your bookmarks HTML file and select it. Edge will import all bookmarks and create a new folder called "Imported from Chrome" (or the name of your source) at the top of your bookmark list. You can rename or reorganize this folder after the import is complete.

What happens to your bookmarks after import

Once imported, your bookmarks are now stored in the new browser's own system. Changes you make in one browser do not affect the other — they are separate copies. If you add a new bookmark in Firefox, it will not appear in Chrome unless you export from Firefox and import into Chrome again.

If you are switching browsers permanently, you can delete the HTML file after confirming the import worked. If you think you might need it again, keep it in a folder on your computer or in cloud storage like Google Drive or Dropbox. The file does not take up much space and can be useful if you need to import into another browser later.

Moving bookmarks to a different computer

The HTML file method also works for moving bookmarks between computers. Export the file from Chrome on your old computer, then transfer it to your new computer using email, cloud storage, a USB drive, or a file transfer service. Once the file is on your new computer, open your browser and import the bookmarks using the steps above.

If you use Chrome on both computers and you are signed into the same Google account, your bookmarks will sync automatically without needing to export and import. Check Chrome Settings > You and Google > Sync and personalization to confirm sync is turned on. But if you are switching browsers or accounts, the export-and-import method is the most reliable way to move everything at once.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I export only some of my bookmarks, not all of them?

Chrome exports all bookmarks in one file. If you only want certain bookmarks, create a new folder in Chrome, move the bookmarks you want into it, then export. After importing into your new browser, you can delete the bookmarks you do not need. Alternatively, you can delete unwanted bookmarks from the HTML file using a text editor before importing, but this is more complicated and error-prone.

What if the import does not work or bookmarks appear in the wrong place?

Most import failures happen because the file got corrupted or saved in the wrong format. Try exporting from Chrome again and make sure the file ends in .html. If the bookmarks import but appear disorganized, you can manually reorganize them in your new browser — the bookmarks themselves are not lost, just in a different folder structure. Some browsers also have an "undo" option in the bookmark manager if you want to try the import again.

Will my passwords and saved credit cards transfer with the bookmarks?

No. The bookmarks HTML file contains only your bookmarks and folder names. Passwords, credit cards, and other saved data stay in Chrome and do not transfer. You will need to save passwords and payment information separately in your new browser, or use a password manager that works across browsers.

Can I import the same bookmarks file into multiple browsers?

Yes. You can import the same HTML file into Firefox, Safari, Edge, and any other browser that supports HTML bookmark imports. Each browser will have its own copy of the bookmarks. Changes in one browser will not affect the others unless you export and import again.

What if I lose the bookmarks HTML file?

If you exported the file and then deleted it, you can export again from Chrome at any time — the bookmarks are still in Chrome. If you no longer have access to Chrome, the bookmarks are lost unless you had already imported them into another browser. This is why keeping a backup copy of the HTML file in cloud storage or on a USB drive is useful.