How to Import Bookmarks from Brave to Chrome
Use HTML export or copy the bookmark file directly, since both browsers share the same engine
Brave is built on Chromium, the same engine Chrome uses. That means you have two ways to move your bookmarks: the standard HTML export/import, or a direct file copy that preserves more metadata. The HTML method is simpler. The file copy method is faster for large libraries and keeps data that HTML export strips out.
Before you start: back up your Chrome bookmarks
If you already have bookmarks in Chrome, back them up first. Importing adds Brave bookmarks on top of what is already there, and Chrome does not check for duplicates. A backup lets you start over if the result is not what you expected.
Method 1: HTML export and import (recommended)
This is the standard approach and works regardless of which version of Brave or Chrome you are using.
Export from Brave
- Open Brave.
- Open Brave's Bookmark Manager (
Ctrl+Shift+Oon Windows/Linux,Cmd+Option+Bon Mac). - Click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
- Select Export bookmarks.
- Choose a location and file name, then click Save.
Brave saves an HTML file containing all your bookmarks and folder structure.
Import into Chrome
- Open Chrome.
- Open Bookmark Manager (
Ctrl+Shift+Oon Windows/Linux,Cmd+Option+Bon Mac). - Click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
- Select Import bookmarks.
- Choose the HTML file you exported from Brave.
Chrome creates an Imported folder on your bookmarks bar containing all the bookmarks from Brave. If your bookmarks bar was empty before the import, bar bookmarks go directly onto the bar, and only the other bookmarks end up inside the Imported folder.
Method 2: Direct file copy (advanced)
Because Brave and Chrome are both Chromium-based, they store bookmarks in the same JSON format. You can copy the
Bookmarks file from Brave's profile folder directly into Chrome's profile folder. This preserves metadata that the
HTML export strips out, like GUIDs and some internal attributes.
Important: Close both Brave and Chrome completely before copying files. If either browser is running, it may overwrite your changes.
Find the Brave Bookmarks file
The file is called Bookmarks (no extension) and lives in Brave's profile folder.
Windows: %LOCALAPPDATA%\BraveSoftware\Brave-Browser\User Data\Default\Bookmarks
Mac: ~/Library/Application Support/BraveSoftware/Brave-Browser/Default/Bookmarks
Linux: ~/.config/BraveSoftware/Brave-Browser/Default/Bookmarks
If you use multiple profiles in Brave, the folder name may be Profile 1, Profile 2, etc., instead of Default.
Copy it into Chrome
Chrome's Bookmarks file lives in a similar location.
Windows: %LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Bookmarks
Mac: ~/Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome/Default/Bookmarks
Linux: ~/.config/google-chrome/Default/Bookmarks
Before replacing the file:
- Close Chrome completely (quit, not just close the window).
- Make a copy of Chrome's existing
Bookmarksfile as a backup. - Copy Brave's
Bookmarksfile into Chrome's profile folder, replacing the existing one. - Open Chrome and check Bookmark Manager to verify your Brave bookmarks appear.
What to know about the file copy method
- This replaces your Chrome bookmarks entirely. If you want to merge Brave bookmarks with existing Chrome bookmarks, use the HTML method instead.
- The file copy preserves folder structure, bookmark order, and add dates exactly as they were in Brave.
- If something goes wrong, restore the backup copy of Chrome's
Bookmarksfile you made in step 2.
For more details on where Chrome stores its bookmark files, see Where Are Chrome Bookmarks Stored.
Can Chrome import directly from Brave?
Chrome's import dialog at chrome://settings/importData sometimes lists other browsers, but Brave does not always
appear as an option. If it does show up, you can try importing directly. If it does not, use either method above.
Post-import cleanup
After importing, open Bookmark Manager (Ctrl+Shift+O on Windows/Linux, Cmd+Option+B on Mac) and review the results:
- Check for duplicates. If you had bookmarks in Chrome before importing, you likely have duplicates now. The duplicate cleanup guide walks through how to find and remove them.
- Reorganize the Imported folder. Move bookmarks out of the Imported folder to where you want them, then delete the empty Imported folder.
- Back up your merged library. Once everything looks right, create a fresh backup so you have a clean restore point going forward.
Protect your bookmarks after migrating
After switching from Brave to Chrome, TrueBookmark can keep automatic versioned backups of your Chrome bookmarks. No more manual exports. If anything goes wrong with your new library, you can restore to any previous version.
When TrueBookmark helps
Native Chrome steps are the fastest way to finish the task once. TrueBookmark is the better fit when you want Backup, Restore, Find, or Organize to stay reliable over time.
Related guides
How to Import Bookmarks from Safari to Chrome
How to import bookmarks from Safari to Chrome using Safari's HTML export. Covers Mac export, iPhone and iPad export on iOS 18.2+, and post-import cleanup.
How to Import Bookmarks from Firefox to Chrome
How to import bookmarks from Firefox to Chrome using the built-in import tool or an HTML export file. Covers the common issue where Chrome does not detect Firefox.
How to Import Bookmarks from Edge to Chrome
How to import bookmarks from Microsoft Edge to Chrome using the built-in import tool or an HTML file. Covers folder structure, duplicates, and post-import cleanup.
How to Import Bookmarks from Chrome to Chrome
How to transfer bookmarks from one Chrome to another using Sync, HTML export/import, or manual file copy. Covers when each method makes sense.
This guide is for informational purposes only and is provided without warranty of any kind, express or implied. Browser steps may change between versions. Always back up your bookmarks before making changes. By following these instructions, you accept full responsibility for the outcome.