If you have recently purchased a new computer or finally decided to switch away from Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, or Apple Safari, you are likely dreading the process of setting up a brand new web browser. The most tedious part of migrating to Google Chrome is rebuilding your carefully curated list of hundreds of saved bookmarks.
Fortunately, you do not have to copy and paste your bookmarks one by one. Google Chrome has a powerful importing tool built directly into its settings menu. It can automatically pull your bookmarks straight out of another browser on your computer, or read a standard HTML bookmark file exported from an old machine.
Method 1: Import Directly from Another Browser on the Same PC
If you are switching from Microsoft Edge or Firefox to Google Chrome on the exact same computer, Chrome can reach into the background files of the other browser and seamlessly clone your bookmarks.
- Open the Google Chrome browser.
- Click the three vertical dots in the top right corner of the window.
- Hover your mouse over Bookmarks and lists.
- In the secondary menu that appears, click on Import bookmarks and settings…
- A pop-up window will appear. Click the drop-down menu at the top. You will see a list of other web browsers currently installed on your computer (e.g., Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer, Firefox).
- Select the browser you want to pull data from.
- Check the box next to Favorites/Bookmarks. (You can also choose to import your saved passwords and browsing history at this time, or uncheck those boxes if you want a clean slate).
- Click the blue Import button.
Within seconds, a confirmation screen will appear. If you look at your Chrome Bookmarks bar, you will see a new folder labelled “Imported from Edge” (or Firefox), containing all of your perfectly organized folders and links.
Method 2: Import from an HTML File (Moving to a New PC)
If you are moving from an old laptop to a brand new desktop, Method 1 will not work because the old browser isn’t on the new machine. You must first use your old browser to “Export” your bookmarks as an HTML file, save that file to a USB thumb drive, and then “Import” it into Chrome on the new computer.
Step A: Export from the Old Browser
You must find the “Export” button in your old browser. For example, if your old browser was also Chrome, click the three dots > Bookmarks and lists > Bookmark Manager. Click the three dots in the top right corner of the manager and select Export bookmarks. Save the resulting HTML file to a USB drive.
Step B: Import into the New Chrome Browser
- Plug the USB drive into your new computer.
- Open Google Chrome.
- Click the three vertical dots in the top right corner.
- Hover over Bookmarks and lists and click Import bookmarks and settings…
- In the pop-up window, click the drop-down menu at the top. Instead of selecting a browser, select Bookmarks HTML File.
- Click the blue Choose File button.
- A file explorer window will open. Navigate to your USB drive, select the HTML file you exported earlier, and click Open.
Chrome will instantly read the file and rebuild your entire bookmark hierarchy flawlessly.
How to Turn on the Bookmarks Bar
If you successfully imported your bookmarks but you don’t actually see them on your screen, it is likely because Chrome hides the Bookmarks Bar by default to save screen space.
To reveal it, simply use this fast keyboard shortcut:
- On Windows: Press
Ctrl + Shift + B - On Mac: Press
Command + Shift + B
The Bookmarks Bar will instantly drop down below the URL address bar, displaying all of your imported links.