Transfer Browser Bookmarks

It wasn’t too many years ago that most internet users could only access bookmarks on the one computer, where the bookmark was saved. If you wanted that bookmark you saved at school when you got to your own computer, you emailed the links or prayed you could find them in a Google search again later. But now, you don’t need to worry about any of this anymore. You can easily access bookmarks and even transfer bookmarks from one browser to another.

The exact steps for transferring bookmarks vary from browser to browser. This article will explain Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, and Microsoft Edge.

 

Export Bookmarks

To export bookmarks from one computer to another, you first need to have a flash drive or other method of removable data storage connected to your computer. You can also save the bookmarks to a cloud storage, network storage, or even email them to yourself.

On Chrome, click the Customize and Control icon (in the top right corner, below the “x” for closing the window). Click Bookmarks, then Bookmark manager. Select the icon with three dots on the far-right side of the blue toolbar and click Export bookmarks. Follow the usual process for saving your file to your chosen storage site. Note: if you are moving from using Chrome on one machine to using Chrome on another machine, you do not need to complete this process. Simply log into your browser and your bookmarks will be synced.

For Firefox, click the Library icon (the four vertical lines just below the icon for minimizing the window). Click Bookmarks, then Show All Bookmarks. Select Import and Backup, then Export Bookmarks to HTML. Follow the usual process for saving your file to your chosen storage site.

If you’re using Safari, click the File menu on the toolbar and select Export Bookmarks… Follow the usual process for saving your file to your chosen storage site.

Exporting bookmarks (called favorites) in Edge can be done by clicking on the Settings icon (the three dots in the top right corner of the browser window) and scroll down to the Favorite Settings panel. Click Export to file. Follow the usual process for saving your file to your chosen storage site.

 

Import Bookmarks

First, make sure you have access to where you transferred your bookmarks. Download the file if you’re using cloud storage or email. For outside storage methods like flash drives, make sure they’re plugged into your computer.

To import bookmarks into Chrome, insert your flash drive and click the Customize and Control icon (in the top right corner, below the “x” for closing the window) in the browser window. Select Bookmarks, then Import bookmarks and settings. Click the down arrow on the second line and choose Bookmarks HTML File. Using the Choose File button, navigate to and select your bookmarks file. Click Open and follow the prompts.

When importing bookmarks into Firefox, click the Library icon (the four vertical lines just below the icon for minimizing the window) in your browser window. Go to Bookmarks, then Show All Bookmarks. Select Import and Backup, then click Import Bookmarks from HTML. Navigate to and select your bookmarks file. Click Open and follow the prompts.

In Safari, click the File menu on the toolbar and select Import Bookmarks… Navigate to and select your bookmarks file and click Import.

Importing favorites in Edge can be accomplished by clicking the Settings and more icon (the three dots in the top right corner), then go to Settings. Click Import from another browser, then Import from file. Navigate to and select your bookmarks file. Click Open and follow the prompts.

 

Adapted from http://www.ricksdailytips.com/copy-bookmarks-to-new-computer/, http://kb.iu.edu/d/akqh, and http://www.thewindowsclub.com/import-export-edge-favorites-html