How to Import Bookmarks and Other Browsing Data to Google Chrome

Switching browsers doesn't have to mean losing important info

by
Scott Orgera
Scott Orgera
Writer

Scott Orgera is a former Lifewire writer covering tech since 2007. He has 25+ years' experience as a programmer and QA leader, and holds several Microsoft certifications including MCSE, MCP+I, and MOUS. He is also A+ certified.

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Scott Orgera
Updated on December 02, 2020

If you're unhappy with your current web browser and you're looking to switch to Google Chrome, you may be worried you'll lose all of your bookmarks and favorite websites. Don't be. You can import a lot of your personal data to Chrome, including your default search engine, browsing history, bookmarks, and saved passwords. In this guide, we show you how to import your bookmarks from other browsers such as Microsoft Edge or Safari.

Instructions in this article apply to Chrome versions 0.4.154 and later.

How to Import Bookmarks from Chrome

If you have some old bookmarks archived in an HTML file, here's how to import them to Chrome:

  1. Select the menu (three-dot) icon in Chrome.

    The More menu in Chrome

  2. then choose Bookmarks > Bookmark manager.

    The Bookmarks and Bookmark Manager options in Chrome

  3. On the Bookmarks page, select the menu (three-dot) icon, then choose Import Bookmarks.

    The "Import bookmarks" command in Chrome

  4. Navigate to the HTML file on your hard drive and select Open. Chrome imports the contents of the file.

    Google Chrome Bookmarks import bookmarks function

  5. The imported bookmarks should now appear in the bookmark manager.

How to Import Bookmarks from Internet Explorer or Edge

Chrome extracts bookmarks and other browsing data (like stored passwords and form data) directly from Internet Explorer or Edge without using an import/export file. Here's how to make it work.

  1. Open Chrome and select the menu (three-dot) icon.

    The More menu in Chrome

  2. Choose Settings.

    Settings in Chrome

  3. Under the You and Google section, select Import bookmarks and settings.

    The "Import Bookmarks and Settings" command in Chrome

  4. From the drop-down menu, select your browser and choose the items to import, such as browsing history, favorites, passwords, search engines, and form data.

    You can choose which web browser to import bookmarks from

  5. Select Import to begin the data transfer.

  6. A Success! message indicates the import process completed correctly.

    Google Chrome with import bookmarks and settings window displayed

  7. Select Done to close the window and return to Chrome.

  8. You can find the imported bookmarks on the bookmarks bar in their respective folder, such as Imported From Edge.

How to Migrate From Other Browsers

If you migrate bookmarks from Mozilla Firefox or a less-popular browser, and it exports bookmarks to HTML, use that process to import your data to Chrome. Some niche Linux browsers, for example, also support export-to-HTML capability.

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