How to Import Bookmarks Into Chrome

Chrome can import bookmarks in two ways: from an HTML file, or directly from another browser installed on the same computer. Both methods are quick.

Before you import: back up your existing bookmarks

If you already have bookmarks in Chrome, back them up first. Importing adds bookmarks on top of what is already there, and Chrome does not check for duplicates. If something goes wrong or you end up with a mess, having a backup lets you start over cleanly.

Import from an HTML file

Use this method when you have a bookmark export file from any browser, or when you are moving bookmarks from a different computer.

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 your HTML file and click Open.

Where the imported bookmarks land depends on your profile: if your bookmarks bar was empty, they go straight onto the bar; if you already had bookmarks, Chrome adds them to the Other bookmarks folder at the end of the bar (on Chromebooks, in a folder named Imported). Your existing bookmarks aren't changed.

Import directly from another browser

Use this method when the source browser (Edge, Firefox, Safari, or another Chromium browser) is installed on the same machine.

1. Open Chrome.
2. Go to chrome://settings/importData or open Settings, then select Import bookmarks and settings.
3. Choose the source browser from the dropdown.
4. Check Favorites/Bookmarks (and uncheck anything else you do not want).
5. Click Import.

As with the HTML method, the imported bookmarks go straight onto the bar if it was empty, or into the Other bookmarks folder at the end of the bar if you already had bookmarks (on Chromebooks, into a folder named Imported). Your existing bookmarks aren't changed.

Note: This option may not appear on managed or enterprise devices. If the dropdown is empty or the source browser is missing, use the HTML file method instead.

Verify the import

After importing, open Bookmark Manager and look for the imported bookmarks in the Other bookmarks folder (or directly on the bookmarks bar if your bar was empty before the import):

• Confirm the folder count and structure look right
• Spot-check a few bookmarks by clicking them to make sure the URLs are correct
• If something looks wrong, you can delete the imported bookmarks and try again

What to do after importing

A fresh import often leaves your library in rough shape. Common follow-up tasks:

• Check for duplicates first. If you had bookmarks in Chrome before the import, you almost certainly have duplicates now. Chrome does not skip bookmarks that already exist. The duplicate removal guide covers how to find and clean them up.
• Reorganize the imported bookmarks. If you already had bookmarks, the imports land in the Other bookmarks folder at the end of the bar; if your bar was empty, they go straight onto it. Drag them into your preferred folder structure, or reorganize from scratch. But check for duplicates before reorganizing, so you do not waste time arranging bookmarks you will end up deleting.
• Back up your merged library. Once your bookmarks are organized and duplicates are cleaned up, create a backup so you do not have to repeat this work.

Keep your bookmarks protected going forward

After spending time importing and organizing, the last thing you want is to lose that work. TrueBookmark backs up on install, lets you back up anytime, and saves a safety backup before risky changes, so an earlier version is always one restore away, even after large imports or reorganizations.