How to Import Bookmarks from Safari to Chrome

Safari does not let Chrome import directly from it the way Edge and Firefox do. Instead, you export your Safari bookmarks to an HTML file and then import that file into Chrome. On a Mac, the export option is in Safari's File menu. On iPhone and iPad running iOS 18.2 or later, you can export from Settings.

Before you import: back up your existing Chrome bookmarks

If you already have bookmarks in Chrome, back them up first. Importing adds Safari bookmarks on top of what is already there, and Chrome does not check for duplicates. Having a backup lets you start over if the import creates a mess.

Step 1: Export bookmarks from Safari on Mac

1. Open Safari on your Mac.
2. Click File in the menu bar at the top of the screen.
3. Select Export Bookmarks.
4. Choose where to save the file and give it a recognizable name.
5. Click Save.

Safari saves an HTML file called Safari Bookmarks.html (or whatever name you chose) containing all your bookmarks and their folder structure.

Where people get stuck: Most Safari settings are in Safari > Settings (or Preferences on older macOS versions). The export option is not there. It is under File, which is easy to miss if you are looking in the wrong place.

Step 2: Import into Chrome

1. Open Chrome.
2. Open Bookmark Manager (Ctrl+Shift+O on Windows/Linux, Cmd+Option+B on macOS).
3. Click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
4. Select Import bookmarks.
5. Choose the HTML file you exported from Safari.

Chrome creates an Imported folder on your bookmarks bar containing the imported Safari bookmarks. 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.

Can Chrome import directly from Safari?

On macOS, Chrome's import dialog (chrome://settings/importData) sometimes lists Safari as an option. Whether it appears depends on your macOS version, Chrome version, and system permissions.

If Safari appears in the dropdown:

1. Go to chrome://settings/importData.
2. Select Safari from the dropdown.
3. Check Favorites/Bookmarks.
4. Click Import.

macOS may ask you to grant Chrome permission to read Safari's data. Allow it if prompted.

If the direct option works, use it. The results are the same as the HTML method. If Safari does not appear in the dropdown, or the import fails with a permission error, stick with the HTML export method above.

Importing bookmarks from Safari on iPhone or iPad

Starting with iOS 18.2 (released late 2024), Safari on iPhone and iPad can export bookmarks directly. You no longer need a Mac.

Export from iPhone or iPad (iOS 18.2 or later)

1. Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Scroll down and tap Apps > Safari.
3. Tap Export.
4. Confirm with Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode.
5. Safari creates a .zip file in your Downloads folder containing an HTML bookmarks file.
6. Unzip the file and transfer the HTML file to the computer where you use Chrome (via AirDrop, email, or a cloud drive).

Once you have the HTML file on your computer, follow the Chrome import steps in Step 2 above.

Alternative for older iOS versions

If your iPhone or iPad is running iOS 18.1 or earlier, there is no built-in export option. The workaround is to sync your iOS Safari bookmarks to a Mac and export from there.

1. On your iPhone or iPad, open Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud.
2. Tap Show All under Apps Using iCloud, then make sure Safari is turned on.
3. On your Mac, open System Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud.
4. Make sure Safari is enabled there too.
5. Wait a few minutes for the sync to complete.

Once your iOS bookmarks appear in Safari on the Mac, follow the export steps at the top of this guide.

What transfers and what does not

Safari's HTML export is straightforward, but a few things do not make the trip:

Transfers cleanly:

• Bookmark URLs and titles
• Folder structure (Reading List appears as a separate folder)
• Add dates

Does not transfer:

• Reading List content. Safari's Reading List shows up as a folder of bookmarks in the export. The offline saved copies of those pages are not included, just the URLs.
• Favicons. Chrome will reload favicons from each site as you visit it.
• Tab Groups. Safari Tab Groups are separate from bookmarks and are not included in any export.
• iCloud Tabs. Tabs open on other Apple devices are not part of the bookmark export.

Post-import cleanup

Safari and Chrome organize bookmarks differently, so some tidying is usually needed after the import:

1. Check for duplicates first. If you had any bookmarks in Chrome before importing from Safari, you likely have duplicates now. Chrome does not skip bookmarks that already exist. The duplicate cleanup guide covers how to find and clean them up. Do this before reorganizing so you do not waste time arranging bookmarks you will end up deleting.
2. Deal with the Reading List folder. Safari exports your Reading List as a regular folder of bookmarks. If you do not use these as bookmarks, you can delete the folder. If you want to keep some of them, move them to a better location.
3. Flatten the Favorites folder. Safari's "Favorites" folder maps roughly to Chrome's bookmarks bar. You may want to move its contents directly onto the bookmarks bar for quick access.
4. Remove Safari-specific folders. Safari sometimes creates organizational folders that do not make sense in Chrome. Review the imported structure and remove anything you do not need.
5. Back up your new library. Once you are happy with the organization and duplicates are cleaned up, create a backup so you have a clean restore point.

Protect your bookmarks after migrating

Switching from Safari to Chrome is a good time to set up bookmark protection. TrueBookmark keeps automatic versioned backups of your Chrome bookmarks, so you do not have to worry about losing your newly imported library to a sync issue, accidental deletion, or a future browser change.