transfer safari bookmarks to new mac

• Get One: Tornado Alert Apps
• The Best Tech Gifts Under $100

Back up or Move Your Safari Bookmarks to a New Mac

Easily back up or share your bookmarks with any Mac you use

Tom Nelson is an engineer, programmer, network manager, and computer network and systems designer who has written for Other World Computing,and others. Tom is also president of Coyote Moon, Inc., a Macintosh and Windows consulting firm.

• Western Governors University

What to Know

• Navigate to  Home Directory / Library / Safari . Then, hold down the option key and drag the Bookmarks.plist file to a new location.
• You can also right-click the file and select  Compress Bookmarks.plist . This creates a .zip file you can move anywhere on your Mac.
• To move the file to a new Mac, email it to yourself or use a cloud storage service like Dropbox or iCloud.

This article explains how to backup your Safari bookmarks for safe-keeping or move them to a new Mac without using the Bookmarks manager to sort through the imported bookmarks and manually putting them where you want them.

Backup Safari Bookmarks

Safari stores bookmarks as a plist (property list) file named Bookmarks.plist. It's located under Home Directory / Library / Safari . Bookmarks are stored on a per-user basis, with each user having their own bookmarks file. If you have multiple accounts on your Mac and want to back up or move all of the bookmarks files, access the above directory location for each user.

To back up your Safari bookmarks, copy the Bookmarks.plist file to a new location. You can do this in one of two ways.

Open a Finder window and navigate to Home Directory / Library / Safari .

With OS X Lion , Apple hid the Home Directory/Library folder, but you can still access the Library folder in a variety of ways. Once you gain access to the Library folder, you can proceed with the instructions below.

Hold down the option key and drag the Bookmarks.plist file to another location. By holding down the option key, you ensure that a copy is made and that the original stays in the default location.

The other way to back up the Bookmarks.plist file is to right-click the file and select Compress "Bookmarks.plist from the pop-up menu. This command will create a file named Bookmarks.plist.zip , which you can move anywhere on your Mac without affecting the original.

Restore Your Safari Bookmarks

All you need to restore your Safari bookmarks is to have a backup of the Bookmarks.plist file available. If the backup is in the compressed or zip format, you will need to double-click the Bookmarks.plist.zip file to decompress it first.

Quit Safari, if the application is open.

Copy the Bookmarks.plist file you backed up earlier to Home Directory / Library / Safari.

A warning message will display: "An item named "Bookmarks.plist" already exists in this location. Do you want to replace it with the one you're moving?" Select Replace .

Once you restore the Bookmarks.plist file, launch Safari. All your bookmarks will be present, just where they were when you backed them up. No importing and sorting required.

Move Safari Bookmarks to a New Mac

Moving your Safari bookmarks to a new Mac is essentially the same as restoring them. The only difference is that you will need a way to bring the Bookmarks.plist file to your new Mac.

Because the file is small, you can easily email it to yourself. Other options are to move the file across a network, store it in the cloud using a storage solution such as Dropbox or iCloud, or put it on a USB flash drive or external hard drive .

Once you have the Bookmarks.plist file on your new Mac, use the steps outlined above to make your bookmarks available.

iCloud Bookmarks

If you have an Apple ID, you can take advantage of iCloud's bookmarks feature to sync Safari bookmarks across multiple Macs and iOS devices. To gain access to the iCloud-synced bookmarks, you need to set up an iCloud account on each Mac or iOS device that you wish to share bookmarks between. 

For sharing bookmarks, make sure there is a checkmark next to the Safari item in the list of iCloud services. As long as you're signed in to your iCloud account on each Mac or iOS device you're using, you should have all of your Safari bookmarks available across multiple devices and platforms.

When you add a bookmark on one device, the bookmark will appear on all devices; more importantly, if you delete a bookmark on one device, all the devices that are synced via iCloud Safari bookmarks will also remove that bookmark.

Use Safari Bookmarks on Other Macs or PCs

If you travel a lot, you may want to bring along your Safari bookmarks. One method is to store your bookmarks in the cloud, so you can access them from anywhere you have an internet connection. This is helpful when you need to access your bookmarks from a public computer.

When you use Safari's Export Bookmarks option, the file Safari creates is actually an HTML listing of all of your bookmarks. You can take this file with you and open it in any browser, just like a normal web page. Of course, you don't end up with bookmarks per se; instead, you end up with a web page that has a clickable list of all of your bookmarks. Though not as easy to use as the bookmarks in a browser, the list can still come in handy when you're on the road.

Here's how to export your bookmarks.

Select File > Export Bookmarks .

In the Save dialog window that opens, select a target location for the Safari Bookmarks.html file, then select Save .

Copy the Safari Bookmarks.html file to a USB flash drive or to a cloud storage system.

To use the Safari Bookmarks.html file, open a browser on the computer you're using and either drag the Safari Bookmarks.html file to the browser's address bar or select Open from the browser's file menu and navigate to the Safari Bookmarks.html file.

Your list of Safari Bookmarks will display as a web page. To visit one of your bookmarked sites , just select the corresponding link.

Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day

• How to Recover Lost Safari Bookmarks
• How to Back up Chrome Bookmarks
• How to Add, Edit, and Delete Bookmarks in iPhone's Safari
• How to Back Up or Move Calendar Data to a New Mac
• Use the Recovery HD Volume to Reinstall or Troubleshoot OS X
• How to Move Your Apple Mail to a New Mac
• How to Add Safari Bookmarks on iPad
• How to Add Safari Bookmarks on an iPhone or iPod Touch
• How to Bookmark on an iPad
• How to Import Bookmarks and Other Browsing Data to Firefox
• How to Back Up Firefox Bookmarks
• Keyboard Shortcuts for the Safari Bookmarks Toolbar
• The Top 10 Internet Browsers for 2024
• How to Back up Microsoft Edge Favorites
• How to Organize Safari Bookmarks and Favorites
• How to Fix: Can't Add Bookmarks in iPad's Safari

The Tech Edvocate

• Advertisement
• Home Page Five (No Sidebar)
• Home Page Four
• Home Page Three
• Home Page Two
• Icons [No Sidebar]
• Left Sidbear Page
• Lynch Educational Consulting
• My Speaking Page
• Newsletter Sign Up Confirmation
• Newsletter Unsubscription
• Page Example
• Privacy Policy
• Protected Content
• Request a Product Review
• Shortcodes Examples
• Terms and Conditions
• The Edvocate
• The Tech Edvocate Product Guide
• Write For Us
• Dr. Lynch’s Personal Website
• The Edvocate Podcast
• Assistive Technology
• Child Development Tech
• Early Childhood & K-12 EdTech
• EdTech Futures
• EdTech News
• EdTech Policy & Reform
• EdTech Startups & Businesses
• Higher Education EdTech
• Online Learning & eLearning
• Parent & Family Tech
• Personalized Learning
• Product Reviews
• Tech Edvocate Awards
• School Ratings

Addressing Your Child’s Reading Issues: Everything You Need to Know

Product review of the tribit xsound plus 2, teaching reading to struggling students: everything you need to know, rhyming capacity: everything you need to know, phonological awareness: everything you need to know, product review of kate spade’s bloom: the perfect mother’s day gift, learning to read: everything you need to know, product review of the arzopa z1c portable monitor, how to teach phonics: everything you need to know, reading groups: everything you need to know, back up or move your safari bookmarks to a new mac.

Safari is the default browser on Macs, and it’s one of the most popular web browsers, known for its sleek design, user-friendly interface, and powerful features. If you’ve recently purchased a new Mac or are planning to, you might be wondering how to transfer your Safari bookmarks to your new device. In this article, we’ll explain the different methods you can use to back up or move your Safari bookmarks to a new Mac.

Option 1: iCloud Sync

If you’re using iCloud on your Mac or iPhone, you can easily sync your Safari bookmarks across all your Apple devices. Here’s how to do it:

1. On your old Mac, open Safari and click on “Safari” in the top menu bar. 2. Select “Preferences” and click on the “General” tab. 3. Make sure “Safari” is selected under “Default web browser.” 4. Click on the “Bookmarks” tab and select “Add Bookmarks…” 5. Choose “Bookmarks Menu” and name the file. 6. Click “Save” and then close the Preferences window. 7. On your new Mac, make sure you’ve signed in to iCloud using the same Apple ID as your old Mac. 8. Open Safari and select “Safari” in the top menu bar. 9. Choose “Preferences” and click on the “General” tab. 10. Make sure “Safari” is selected as your default browser. 11. Click on the “Bookmarks” tab and select “Add Bookmarks…” 12. Choose the file you saved on your old Mac and select “Import.”

Option 2: Export and Import bookmarks

If you don’t use iCloud or want to keep a copy of your bookmarks on an external hard drive to transfer to a new Mac, you can export and import the bookmarks file. Here’s how to do it:

Export bookmarks from old Mac:

1. Open Safari on your old Mac and click on “File” in the top menu bar. 2. Click “Export Bookmarks…” and save the file to your desktop. 3. Connect an external hard drive to your old Mac and drag the bookmarks file to the drive.

Import bookmarks to new Mac:

1. Connect the external hard drive to your new Mac. 2. Open Safari on your new Mac and click on “File” in the top menu bar. 3. Select “Import from” and choose “Bookmarks HTML File.” 4. Navigate to the bookmarks file on the external hard drive and click “Import.”

Option 3: Use a third-party application

If you prefer a more automated approach, you can use a third-party application like SyncMate or SuperDuper to transfer your Safari bookmarks to your new Mac. However, most of these applications have a cost. Carefully consider if this option fits your budget.

In conclusion, transferring your Safari bookmarks to a new Mac is straightforward, thanks to the simple steps we’ve outlined above. Whether you choose to use iCloud, export and import bookmarks or use a third-party application, save time and maintain your web bookmarks on your new device.

Understanding Alternator Output Ratings

How to fix binkw32.dll is missing errors.

Matthew Lynch

Related articles more from author.

What is Android Tablet?

What Is Salting in Password Security and How Does It Work?

Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Use Spotify

Large Senior-Friendly Keyboards and Icons for Android

Mac Won’t Connect to Wi-Fi? Steps to Get Back Online

Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Buy an Xbox Series X/S

Back Up Or Move Your Safari Bookmarks To A New Mac

Published: November 16, 2023

Exporting Safari Bookmarks from Your Old Mac

If you are moving to a new Mac and want to carry over your Safari bookmarks, there are several methods you can use to export them from your old Mac and transfer them to your new one. Here are a few options to consider:

1. iCloud Sync: If you have iCloud enabled on both your old and new Mac, you can use the built-in iCloud sync feature to automatically sync your Safari bookmarks. Simply ensure that Safari is enabled in your iCloud settings, and your bookmarks will be synced between your devices. This is a convenient method if you want to keep your bookmarks up to date and easily accessible.

2. Exporting HTML file: Another way to export your Safari bookmarks is by saving them as an HTML file. Open Safari on your old Mac, go to “File” and select “Export Bookmarks.” Choose a location to save the HTML file, and then transfer it to your new Mac using a USB drive, email, or any other file transfer method. Once on your new Mac, open Safari, go to “File,” and select “Import From” and choose the HTML file to import your bookmarks.

3. Third-party tools: There are various third-party applications available that allow you to export and import Safari bookmarks between Macs. These tools offer more flexibility and additional features for managing your bookmarks. Some popular options include BookMacster, Xmarks, and SyncMate.

It’s important to note that regardless of the method you choose, it’s a good idea to make a backup of your Safari bookmarks before transferring them. This ensures that you have a copy in case anything goes wrong during the transfer process.

By following one of these methods, you can easily export your Safari bookmarks from your old Mac and transfer them to your new one. This way, you won’t lose any of your saved websites and can continue browsing seamlessly on your new device.

Transferring Safari Bookmarks to Your New Mac

Once you have exported your Safari bookmarks from your old Mac, it’s time to transfer them to your new Mac. Here are a few methods you can use to accomplish this:

1. iCloud Sync: If you have enabled iCloud on both your old and new Mac, transferring your Safari bookmarks is as simple as signing in with the same iCloud account on your new Mac. Your bookmarks will automatically sync with Safari on your new device. Make sure that Safari is enabled in your iCloud settings to ensure a seamless transfer.

2. Importing from HTML file: If you have exported your Safari bookmarks as an HTML file, you can import them into Safari on your new Mac. Open Safari, go to “File,” select “Import From,” and choose the HTML file containing your bookmarks. Safari will then import the bookmarks into the browser, allowing you to access them on your new Mac.

3. Third-party tools: Some third-party applications offer a direct method for transferring Safari bookmarks from one Mac to another. These tools often provide advanced features and options for managing your bookmarks. Check out applications like BookMacster, Xmarks, and SyncMate, which allow you to sync and transfer bookmarks seamlessly between Macs.

It’s worth noting that regardless of the method you choose, it’s always a good practice to back up your Safari bookmarks before transferring them. This ensures that you have a copy in case anything unexpected happens during the transfer process.

With these methods, you can transfer your Safari bookmarks from your old Mac to your new one effortlessly. Whether you prefer using iCloud sync or utilizing specific tools, you can seamlessly continue your browsing experience on your new Mac with all your saved websites and bookmarks intact.

Using iCloud to Sync Safari Bookmarks

If you want a hassle-free and automatic way to sync your Safari bookmarks between your Mac devices, iCloud is the perfect solution. iCloud sync keeps your bookmarks up to date across all your Apple devices, including Mac, iPhone, and iPad. Here’s how to use iCloud to sync your Safari bookmarks:

1. Enable iCloud: On your Mac, go to System Preferences and click on “Apple ID” or “iCloud.” Sign in with your Apple ID if prompted. Ensure that the “Safari” option is checked. This will enable syncing Safari bookmarks along with other iCloud features like contacts, calendars, and notes.

2. Enable Safari in iCloud: Open the Safari browser on your Mac and go to “Safari” in the menu bar. Select “Preferences” and click on the “General” tab. Check the box next to “Bookmarks” under the “Safari” section. This will enable Safari to sync your bookmarks with iCloud.

3. Repeat these steps on other devices: To sync your Safari bookmarks across your other Apple devices, such as your iPhone or iPad, make sure iCloud is enabled on those devices as well. Open Settings, tap on your Apple ID, and select “iCloud.” Toggle on the “Safari” option to enable bookmark syncing on those devices.

Once you have enabled iCloud sync for Safari, any changes you make to your bookmarks on one device will automatically be reflected on all your other devices. This means that new bookmarks you add, bookmarks you delete, and changes you make to existing bookmarks will be synced in real-time.

It’s important to note that for iCloud syncing to work, you need to have an active internet connection on your devices. Also, make sure you are signed in with the same Apple ID across all your devices, as syncing is tied to your Apple ID.

Using iCloud to sync Safari bookmarks is a simple and convenient way to ensure that you always have access to your bookmarks, regardless of the device you are using. With seamless syncing, you can save, organize, and access your favorite websites effortlessly across all your Apple devices.

Using the iCloud.com Website to Access Safari Bookmarks

Did you know that you can access your Safari bookmarks even when you don’t have your Mac or iOS device with you? With the iCloud.com website, you can easily view and manage your Safari bookmarks from any computer with an internet connection. Here’s how to use the iCloud.com website to access your Safari bookmarks:

1. Open a web browser: Launch any web browser on a computer and go to the iCloud.com website. Sign in with your Apple ID and password. Make sure to use the same Apple ID that you use for iCloud and Safari bookmark syncing.

2. Select Safari: On the iCloud.com homepage, click on the “Safari” icon. This will open the Safari web app on the iCloud website.

3. Access your bookmarks: Once inside the Safari web app, you’ll be able to see all your synced Safari bookmarks. They will be organized into folders, just like they are on your Mac or iOS devices. Click on any bookmark to open it in a new tab or window.

4. Manage your bookmarks: Within the iCloud.com Safari web app, you can also manage your bookmarks. You can add new bookmarks by clicking on the plus icon, organize them into folders, delete bookmarks by selecting them and clicking on the delete icon, and rearrange your bookmarks as desired.

It’s worth mentioning that while the iCloud.com website allows you to view and manage your Safari bookmarks, it doesn’t offer the same browsing experience as the Safari browser on your Mac. You won’t be able to open multiple tabs or access certain Safari features. The iCloud.com website is primarily designed for quick access and management of your bookmarks.

To ensure that your Safari bookmarks are synced with the iCloud.com website, make sure that Safari is enabled in your iCloud settings on your Mac and other iOS devices. Any changes you make to your bookmarks on the iCloud.com website will be reflected on your other devices and vice versa.

Using the iCloud.com website to access Safari bookmarks is a convenient option when you need to quickly reference or manage your bookmarks from a computer that doesn’t have Safari installed. It allows you to stay organized and access your favorite websites wherever you are.

Importing Safari Bookmarks from a Saved HTML File

If you have exported Safari bookmarks from your old Mac as an HTML file, you can easily import them into Safari on your new Mac. This method provides a straightforward way to transfer your bookmarks without relying on cloud services or third-party applications. Here’s how to import Safari bookmarks from a saved HTML file:

1. Locate the HTML file: First, find the HTML file that contains your exported Safari bookmarks on your new Mac. You can transfer the file from your old Mac using a USB drive, email, or any other file transfer method. Place the HTML file in a location where you can easily access it.

2. Open Safari on your new Mac: Launch Safari and go to “File” in the menu bar. From the dropdown menu, select “Import From” and then choose “Bookmarks HTML File.”

3. Select the HTML file: A file browser window will appear. Use it to locate and select the HTML file that contains your Safari bookmarks. Once you have chosen the file, click on “Open” to start the import process.

Safari will now begin importing your bookmarks from the HTML file. The process may take some time, depending on the number of bookmarks you have. Once the import is complete, you will be able to see and access your imported bookmarks in the Safari browser on your new Mac.

It’s important to note that when you import bookmarks from an HTML file, they will be added as a new folder in Safari’s Bookmarks menu. By default, the folder will be named “Imported [Date].” You can rearrange the imported bookmarks, create new folders, and organize them as desired.

Remember to keep a backup of the HTML file containing your Safari bookmarks, as it serves as a safeguard in case anything goes wrong during the import process.

By following these steps, you can easily import Safari bookmarks from a saved HTML file into Safari on your new Mac. This method allows you to maintain the organization of your bookmarks and ensures a smooth transfer of your saved websites.

Syncing Safari Bookmarks with Chrome or Firefox

If you prefer using browsers other than Safari, such as Chrome or Firefox, you might be wondering if it’s possible to sync your Safari bookmarks with these browsers. While there is no built-in syncing feature between different browsers, there are a few workarounds you can try to achieve this. Here’s how you can sync your Safari bookmarks with Chrome or Firefox:

1. Export Safari bookmarks: Start by exporting your Safari bookmarks as an HTML file. Open Safari on your Mac, go to “File,” select “Export Bookmarks,” and save the HTML file to a location where you can easily access it.

2. Import bookmarks to Chrome: Open Chrome on your Mac and go to “Settings” by clicking on the three-dot menu in the top-right corner. In the settings menu, select “Bookmarks” and then choose “Import Bookmarks and Settings.” Locate the HTML file you exported from Safari and select it. Chrome will then import the bookmarks from the HTML file, and they will be accessible in Chrome’s bookmarks menu.

3. Import bookmarks to Firefox: Similarly, open Firefox on your Mac and go to “Library” by clicking on the three-line menu in the top-right corner. From the Library menu, select “Bookmarks” and then choose “Show All Bookmarks.” In the Library window, go to “Import and Backup” and then select “Import Data from Another Browser.” Locate the HTML file exported from Safari and select it. Firefox will import the bookmarks, and you’ll be able to access them in Firefox’s bookmarks menu.

By following these steps, you can successfully sync your Safari bookmarks with Chrome or Firefox. However, it’s important to note that this method is a one-time import, and any changes made to the bookmarks in one browser will not be reflected in the other.

If you want continuous syncing and real-time updates between Safari and other browsers, you can consider using third-party bookmark syncing services like Xmarks or EverSync. These services allow you to sync bookmarks across different browsers and devices by installing their respective extensions or plugins.

Regardless of the method you choose, it’s always a good practice to regularly back up your bookmarks to avoid any accidental loss or data corruption. This ensures that you have a copy of your bookmarks in case anything goes wrong during the syncing or import process.

With these options, you can sync your Safari bookmarks with Chrome or Firefox, allowing you to have consistent access to your favorite websites across different browsers.

Backing Up Safari Bookmarks with Time Machine

Backing up your Safari bookmarks is essential to safeguard your valuable website collection. Time Machine, the built-in backup feature on your Mac, makes it easy to create regular backups, ensuring you never lose your bookmarks. Here’s how you can back up your Safari bookmarks using Time Machine:

1. Connect an external storage device: To start, connect an external storage device to your Mac. This can be an external hard drive, a USB flash drive, or even a network-attached storage (NAS) device. Make sure the storage device has enough free space to accommodate the backups.

2. Enable Time Machine: Open “System Preferences” on your Mac and click on “Time Machine.” Toggle the switch to enable Time Machine. You will be prompted to select the external storage device you connected earlier. Choose it as the backup destination.

3. Start the backup: Once Time Machine is enabled, it will automatically begin creating backups of your entire system, including your Safari bookmarks. The initial backup may take some time, depending on the size of your data. Subsequent backups will be incremental, capturing only the changes made since the last backup.

4. Restore Safari bookmarks: In the event that you accidentally delete or lose your Safari bookmarks, you can restore them from a Time Machine backup. Simply open Finder on your Mac and select the backup destination device, which should appear under “Locations.” Navigate to the backup date when your bookmarks were intact, then go to the following path: “ [Your user folder] > Library > Safari > Bookmarks.plist “. Locate and copy the “Bookmarks.plist” file, then paste it into the corresponding directory on your Mac’s hard drive. Confirm the overwrite and relaunch Safari to see your restored bookmarks.

It’s important to note that Time Machine not only backs up your Safari bookmarks but also your entire system, including files, applications, and settings. This ensures a complete and comprehensive backup solution for your Mac.

Regularly check your Time Machine backups to ensure they are up to date. This ensures that your Safari bookmarks are always protected and recoverable in case of data loss or device failure.

By utilizing Time Machine’s backup capability, you can have peace of mind knowing that your Safari bookmarks are safely stored and easily recoverable when needed.

Restoring Safari Bookmarks from a Time Machine Backup

If you have experienced a loss of Safari bookmarks or accidentally deleted them, you can easily restore them from a Time Machine backup. Time Machine, the built-in backup utility on your Mac, allows you to retrieve previous versions of files and folders, including your Safari bookmarks. Here’s how you can restore Safari bookmarks from a Time Machine backup:

1. Connect your Time Machine backup: Make sure your Time Machine backup device is connected to your Mac. It can be an external hard drive, a Time Capsule, or a network-attached storage (NAS) device. Ensure that the backup device contains the backup you want to restore from.

2. Open Finder and locate the Safari bookmarks file: Launch Finder on your Mac and navigate to the location where your Safari bookmarks are stored. The default location of the bookmarks file is “ [Your user folder] > Library > Safari > Bookmarks.plist “.

3. Access Time Machine: With the Safari bookmarks file selected, click on the Time Machine icon in the menu bar at the top-right corner of your screen. Alternatively, you can open Time Machine from the Applications folder or Launchpad.

4. Travel back in time: Time Machine will open, and you’ll see a timeline on the right side of the screen. Use it to navigate to the date and time when the bookmark file was intact or the version you want to restore. You can use the arrows or scrub through the timeline to find the appropriate snapshot.

5. Select and restore the bookmarks file: Once you’ve located the desired snapshot, select the Safari bookmarks file (“Bookmarks.plist”) and click on the “Restore” button. Time Machine will begin the restoration process, replacing the existing bookmarks file with the version from the backup.

6. Relaunch Safari: After the restoration is complete, you can relaunch Safari. Your restored bookmarks should now be available, allowing you to access your saved websites.

Remember to keep in mind that restoring from a Time Machine backup will replace the current version of your Safari bookmarks file entirely. It’s always a good idea to create a backup of the current bookmarks file if you want to preserve any changes made since the backup date.

With Time Machine’s ability to retrieve previous versions of files, you can easily restore your Safari bookmarks from a Time Machine backup, ensuring that you never lose your valuable collection of websites.

Using a Third-Party Tool to Transfer Safari Bookmarks

If you’re looking for a more advanced and feature-rich solution to transfer your Safari bookmarks between Macs, you can consider using a third-party tool. These tools offer additional flexibility and options for managing your bookmarks. Here’s how you can use a third-party tool to transfer your Safari bookmarks:

1. Research and choose a suitable tool: Explore different third-party tools available for transferring Safari bookmarks. Look for ones that are compatible with your Mac’s operating system and offer the features you desire. Popular options include BookMacster, Xmarks, and SyncMate.

2. Download and install the tool: Once you have chosen a tool, download it from the official website or trusted source. Follow the installation instructions provided to install the tool on both your old and new Mac.

3. Export bookmarks from your old Mac: Launch the third-party tool on your old Mac. Locate the options to export or sync Safari bookmarks and follow the instructions to export your bookmarks to a supported file format or sync them to a cloud service or the tool’s proprietary platform.

4. Import bookmarks to your new Mac: After exporting the bookmarks from your old Mac, open the third-party tool on your new Mac. Use the import or sync options to retrieve the exported bookmarks or connect to the cloud service or proprietary platform where your bookmarks are stored. Follow the on-screen instructions to import the bookmarks into Safari on your new Mac.

5. Organize and manage your bookmarks: Once the transfer is complete, you can organize and manage your bookmarks using the features provided by the third-party tool. These tools often offer advanced bookmark management options such as merging, deduplicating, and syncing with other browsers.

It’s important to be cautious when using third-party tools. Ensure that you download them from reputable sources and verify that they are compatible with your Mac’s operating system. Additionally, regularly check for updates to ensure compatibility with future macOS releases.

By using a third-party tool, you can transfer your Safari bookmarks with more flexibility and additional features. These tools are especially useful if you have a large number of bookmarks, want to organize them in a specific way, or prefer a more automated and customizable solution.

Remember to keep a backup of your bookmarks before using a third-party tool, as an extra precaution in case anything goes wrong during the transfer process. With the right third-party tool, you can effortlessly transfer your Safari bookmarks and enjoy a seamless browsing experience on your new Mac.

Related Stories

Keyboard Shortcuts For Safari On OS X And MacOS

How To Recover Lost Safari Bookmarks

Customize Safari Toolbar, Bookmark, Tab, And Status Bars

How To Organize Safari Bookmarks And Favorites

How To Add Safari Bookmarks On An IPhone Or IPod Touch

Bookmarking Guide: Saving Favorites On Your IPhone 11

How To Pin Sites In Safari And Mac OS

Safari Bookmark: Recognizing The Bookmark Button On IPhone 10

A Comprehensive Guide to Choosing the Right Method of MFA for Your Business

Democratizing Access: How Cryptocurrency Exchange Aggregators Empower Traders

Tips for Choosing the Best Cryptocurrency Wallet for You

How Do Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Maximize Your Benefits?

Enhancing Employee Integration for Efficiency

Top 100 Christmas Songs for the Best Christmas Music

The Life and Career of Dean Haglund: A Journey from Canada to the Paranormal and Beyond

16 Best Ad Blocker For Every Browser and Device

Different Types of Aesthetics: 30 Outfit Ideas to Step Up Your OOTD Game

Monopoly Man Monocle and 10 Other Popular Examples of the Mandela Effect

• Apple Watch
• Accessories
• Digital Magazine – Subscribe
• Digital Magazine – Info
• Smart Answers
• New iPad Air
• iPad mini 7
• Next Mac Pro
• Best Mac antivirus
• Best Mac VPN

When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn't affect our editorial independence .

How to sync Pinned Tabs and Safari settings between Macs

Whether you are moving to a new Mac or just introducing another Mac to your computer set up you will no doubt be celebrating the way that many of the features of your old Mac sync simply to the new devices thanks to iCloud. For example, if you use iCloud Drive then your entire Desktop and Documents folders from your old Mac will sync to your new Mac, and if you use iCloud Photo Library all your photos will be available on your new Mac too.

But there is one app where our settings just don’t transfer across so simply: Safari. As an extensive user of Pinned Tabs in Safari (which means that the pages I use the most are pinned to the top of my Safari window at all times) it is really frustrating that this set up isn’t mirrored on every Apple device I have.

The strange thing is that as useful as the Pinned Tabs feature is, and despite the years that have passed since Apple introduced it with El Capitan in 2015, Apple hasn’t yet made Pinned Tabs sync across our Apple devices.

If you are setting up a new Mac (and you aren’t syncing with a Time Machine back up ) and want to know how you can get your Pinned Tabs to sync across we have some good news and some bad news.

The good news is that with the release of Monterey and the new version of Safari coming this autumn Apple will implement a way to simplify the transfer of pinned web pages from Safari on one device to Safari on another. The bad news is that for this to work seamlessly you will have to wait until Monterey and the new Safari launch.

But there is a bit more good news: you can test the new features coming in Monterey now thanks to the public beta, and you can also try out the new Safari via the Safari Technology Preview. Just note that the implementation of these new features will only be in beta and probably won’t even work right now. Read: How to install the Monterey Beta .

How to sync Safari Tabs

One of the big changes coming to the new Safari is the ability to sync Safari tabs across devices, so you can use them on your iPhone, iPad, or other Macs. You’ll also be able to group tabs together, so that you can easily access tabs that are related to a particular activity you want to undertake. We’ll address Tab Groups elsewhere, what we are interested in here is the fact that tabs will be synced between all your devices.

Apple is still developing Monterey and the new version of Safari, which will introduced this new ability to sync tabs. As we said above, you could try out the Safari Technology Preview, which will work in Big Sur, and test some of the features coming to Safari later this year. Equally you can try out the beta version of Monterey. However running beta software probably isn’t going to be the solution you need right now if you just want to transfer your Pinned Tabs from one Mac to another.

If you don’t want to run the betas, and you don’t want to wait until the autumn, there is still a way to transfer your Pinned Tabs from your old and new Mac. Follow the steps outlined below, which work in current and older versions of the Mac operating systems.

How to sync web pages between Macs (and other Apple devices)

The easiest way to grab your tabs is to follow these steps:

• Open the webpage you want to access on your old device.

• Click or tap on that icon and it will open that same webpage in Safari on your new device.
• Now you can right click on the tab for that webpage to Pin it.

This is a handy feature of Continuity, which was introduced in Yosemite and iOS 8 back in 2014 and means that your iPhone, Mac and iPad are all connected, so you can pick up on your Mac from where you left off on your iPhone, for example.

This is a great solution if you have a few web pages that you use a lot – you can open each one on the old Mac, wait for the Safari icon that shows a webpage is open on another device, and click on it to open that page in Safari.

There are alternative methods that will suit you if there are more pages you wish to sync across to your new Mac though, or if you won’t have the old Mac accessible when you wish to sync your Safari settings.

How to move Safari settings to a new Mac

Another option is to transfer your Safari Preferences – which includes all your Favorites, Bookmarks and Reading List items – from the old Mac to the Mac.

Before you begin you need to make sure that the Pinned Tabs are actually saved to your Bookmark list (which is actually your Favorites list), because they won’t automatically copy across otherwise.

Open the webpage and then click on Bookmarks > Add Bookmarks. You can also choose to add Bookmarks for all the pages you have open.

Now that you have your Pinned tabs saved as Bookmarks you need to locate the Bookmarks.plist in your old Mac and copy it to your new Mac.

How to find Bookmarks.plist

• Open the Finder.
• Click on the Home folder and locate the Library folder (jump to here if you can’t see Home or here if you can’t locate the Library folder).
• Click on the Safari folder in the Library folder.
• Find Bookmarks.plist
• Copy that file to one of your iCloud folders – we copied to the Desktop since it’s synced via iCloud.
• On the new Mac locate the file you just copied over.
• Close Safari on the new Mac if it is open.
• Open the Home > Library and locate the Safari folder on the new Mac.
• Copy the Bookmarks.plist file to the Safari folder. (You can replace the existing file).
• Now when you launch Safari your bookmarks and favourites should be there.

Not seeing the Home folder?

• Go to Finder > Preferences.
• Click on Sidebar.
• You will see an option to Show these items in the sidebar. You want to select the that looks like a house icon and has the name of your Mac beside it. This is your Home folder.
• Now click on the Home folder in Favourites on the sidebar of the Finder.
• You can now access Home in the Finder.

Not seeing the Library folder?

• Open Finder.
• From the menu at the top of the screen click on Go.
• Click on Go to folder.
• Type Library.
• Scroll to Safari and open the folder.
• Copy the plist folder to the new location as described above.

Read: How to find the hidden Library folder.

How to recover Pinned Tabs from Favorites and Bookmarks

Copying the Bookmarks.plist file to your new Mac will transfer your Bookmarks, including any webpages you have added to Favourites and Reading List, to you new Mac. When you open Safari you should see shortcuts to these pages as well as any webpages that are open on your other devices in the center of the Safari window.

If you can’t see your Favourites Bar or the Tabs Bar to the top of the window go to View and choose:

• View > Show Favourites Bar
• View > Show Tabs Bar
• View > Show Sidebar

Now you can click on the Favorites and locate anything you had saved to your Reading List on your other device.

Once those pages are open right click or control click and choose Pin Tab.

This is an incredibly long winded way to do something that Apple really should have simplified long ago. Thankfully that will be addressed in the next version of macOS.

Read: How to use Safari on a Mac .

Author: Karen Haslam , Managing Editor

Karen has worked on both sides of the Apple divide, clocking up a number of years at Apple's PR agency prior to joining Macworld more than two decades ago. Karen's career highlights include interviewing Apple's Steve Wozniak and discussing Steve Jobs’ legacy on the BBC. Having edited the U.K. print and online editions of Macworld for many years, more recently her focus has been on SEO and evergreen content as well product recommendations and buying advice on Macworld.com.

Recent stories by Karen Haslam:

• How to copy and paste on a MacBook or Mac
• How to scan documents on iPhone
• How to back up a MacBook or Mac

How to Manage Bookmarks and Favorites in Safari on Mac: A Complete Guide

Bookmarks and Favorites in Safari help you keep track of your favorite sites and visit them instantly. Here's how to master them.

Bookmarks and Favorites in Safari are easy ways to keep track of interesting sites you want to visit again later and your favorite sites you visit often. Bookmarks and Favorites have similar, but slightly different, purposes.

Use bookmarks to save links for sites you want to visit again later. Use Favorites to store links to a select few sites you visit often or every time you open Safari.

We'll explain how to manage your bookmarks and Favorites in Safari so you can make the best use of them and keep them organized.

Managing Bookmarks in Safari

Browser bookmarks can quickly get out of hand, especially if you bookmark a lot of sites. So it's a good idea to start organizing your bookmarks into folders early on to keep them under control. But it's never too late to get organized. It just might take a while if you have a large, unorganized collection of bookmarks.

How to Create Bookmark and Favorites Folders

Before adding a bookmark for a site, create a folder to put the bookmark in. First, click Show sidebar , or press Cmd + Control + 1 .

Make sure the Bookmarks button is selected (blue) at the top of the sidebar. Either right-click or Control -click anywhere in the sidebar and select New Folder .

Your Favorites are at the top of this sidebar and you can also use this method for creating Favorites folders.

Enter a name for the folder and press Enter .

To create a new folder in the Bookmarks editor, click New Folder in the upper-right corner of the page.

If you want to add multiple existing bookmarks to a new folder, select the bookmarks and hold down Option as you click New Folder . The selected bookmarks are added to the new folder that you can rename as mentioned above.

How to Add Bookmarks

To add a new bookmark and customize the name, description, and location, click the Share button in the upper-right corner of Safari. Select Add Bookmark .

This enters a default name for the bookmark based on the website title. But you can change the name if you want.

You can also add an optional description for the bookmark, which helps you remember why you bookmarked a page in the first place.

The first time you add a bookmark in Safari, the default folder is Favorites . We'll talk about adding Favorites later. For now, we're going to add the bookmark to the new folder we created above.

Select the folder from the Add this page to dropdown list and click Add . The folder you select becomes the default folder next time you add a bookmark.

To quickly add a bookmark, move your mouse over the address bar. Click and hold the plus icon on the left side of the box.

Select a bookmarks folder from the dropdown list. Safari adds a bookmark with the default name of the page to the selected folder. We'll show you how to edit a bookmark later.

You can also add the page to your Favorites by selecting Favorites or a Favorites folder.

How to Move and Copy Bookmarks and Folders

If you already have a bunch of bookmarks , you can organize them into folders or rearrange them.

Drag the bookmark to a folder or another location on the sidebar. To copy a bookmark instead of moving it, hold down the Option key while you drag it.

This method also works for rearranging Favorites.

How to Rename Bookmarks and Folders

To rename a bookmark or folder, right-click or Control -click on an item in the sidebar and select Rename . You can also force-click to rename. To do this, click and hold on the item until its text highlights.

If you're in the Bookmarks editor, select the bookmark or folder you want to rename, and press Enter .

Enter a new name or change the current one, and press Enter to accept your changes.

This also works for renaming Favorites.

How to Edit the URL for a Bookmark

Safari contains a Bookmarks editor that allows you to edit and delete your bookmarks and Favorites. Go to Bookmarks > Edit Bookmarks .

Use the same method we described for renaming bookmarks to change the Address for a bookmark or Favorite. The editor also allows you to edit Website names, but you can't add bookmarks or Favorites in the editor.

How to Edit the Description for a Bookmark

You might want to add descriptions to your bookmarks, so you know why you saved the link to that page. If you forgot to do that for some of your existing bookmarks, you can edit their descriptions.

You can only edit the description for a bookmark on the sidebar, and only if the bookmark is in a folder. This is another good reason for putting bookmarks into folders.

To edit the description for a bookmark, double-click the folder containing the bookmark on the sidebar to expand it. Then, Control -click the bookmark you want to edit and select Edit Description .

The description is highlighted, allowing you to enter new text.

How to Delete Bookmarks

If your bookmarks are cluttered, you may want to delete old ones you don't use anymore.

On the sidebar, either right-click or Control -click the bookmark you want to delete and select Delete .

To delete multiple bookmarks, Cmd -click the bookmarks and press the Delete key.

You can also click and hold on the bookmark's name until it's highlighted. Then click the X to the right of the name.

Both methods also work for deleting Favorites.

How to Search Through Your Bookmarks

If you have a lot of bookmarks, you might find it hard to locate a certain one, even if you've organized them into folders. Thankfully, Safari allows you to search through your bookmarks.

Enter the text you want to search for in the search box at the top of the sidebar or in the upper-right corner of the Bookmarks editor. On the sidebar, you might have to scroll up to see the search box.

Results of the search display as you type. Click on the bookmark to open the page in the current tab.

To clear the search and go back to the full list of bookmarks, click the X button on the right side of the search box.

How to Import Bookmarks From Chrome or Firefox

Have you switched to Safari from Chrome or Firefox ? You can easily import your bookmarks from either browser into Safari.

Go to File > Import From > Google Chrome or File > Import From > Firefox . Check the Bookmarks box on the dialog box and click Import .

You can do this at any time, even if you've imported bookmarks already.

Safari is smart enough to know which bookmarks you've already imported from Chrome or Firefox. So if you import bookmarks again, you'll only get new ones you added to the other browsers. Or if you've deleted some bookmarks you imported, you'll get those back the next time you import.

The bookmarks and folders from Chrome or Firefox are imported at the root level on the sidebar. Use the methods we covered above to rename and rearrange bookmarks and folders, edit descriptions, or delete any imported bookmarks you don't want.

How to Import Bookmarks From an HTML File

You might want to import your bookmarks into a separate folder automatically, so you can keep them separate from the bookmarks you already had in Safari.

You can accomplish this by importing bookmarks from an HTML file, which you can export from Firefox or Chrome. See our guide to exporting Chrome bookmarks for info on this.

Go to File > Import From > Bookmarks HTML File . Then select the HTML file you want to import and click Import .

The imported bookmarks are put into a folder titled Imported with the current date.

Managing Favorites in Safari

The Favorites bar sits just below the address bar at the top of the Safari window. It provides quick access to sites you visit often.

You can only specify one web page as your homepage. But what if you want to open multiple pages every time you open Safari? You can add your favorite pages to your Favorites and have quick access to them when you open Safari.

How to Show the Favorites Bar

Safari stores favorites on the sidebar and in the Bookmarks editor, as we showed you earlier. You can also access them on the Favorites bar.

If you don't see the Favorites bar under the address bar, click Toggle the favorites bar on the toolbar, go to View > Show Favorites Bar , or press Cmd + Shift + B .

Only a certain number of sites will fit on the Favorites bar, so it's best to limit the number of pages you add to your Favorites.

How to View the Favorites Page on the Current Tab

If you want to view and access your Favorites as thumbnails, you can open the Favorites page on the current tab. Go to Bookmarks > Show Favorites .

If you don't see Show Favorites as the first option on the Bookmarks menu, you must make a change in Safari's settings . Go to Safari > Preferences . On the General screen, select Favorites from the New windows open with popup menu.

Your Favorites are available as thumbnails on the current tab.

How to View the Favorites Page on a New Tab

If you want access to Favorites page when you open a new tab, go to Safari > Preferences .

On the General screen, select Favorites from the New tabs open with popup menu. New tabs will now display the Favorites page, which includes Frequently Visited sites at the bottom. We'll show you how to hide the Frequently Visited sites section later.

How to View Favorites From the Smart Search Box

Use the Smart Search box, or address bar, as a quick way to access your Favorites page without leaving the current web page.

Click in the address bar to open the Favorites in a popup window. Then click the icon for the page you want to visit. The Favorites popup window goes away and the selected page opens on the current tab.

How to Change the Bookmarks Folder on the Favorites Page

By default, the Favorites page shows all your Favorites and the folders under Favorites. But you can change this to show only the Favorites in a Favorites folder or a folder of bookmarks.

Go to Safari > Preferences . On the General screen, select the folder you want to view from the Favorites shows popup menu.

The selected folder displays when you open the Favorites page on a new tab or from the Smart Search box.

How to Show/Hide Frequently Visited Sites in Favorites

If you don't want to see Frequently Visited sites at the bottom of the Favorites page, you can hide them.

Go to Bookmarks > Show Frequently Visited in Favorites . When the option does not have a check mark in front of it, you won't see the Frequently Visited sites on the Favorites page.

How to Open Your Favorites in Tabs When You Open Safari

If you visit the same pages every time you open Safari, you can add these pages to your Favorites and have them open in separate tabs when you open a new window.

To do this, set up your Favorites using the methods described earlier. Then go to Safari > Preferences .

On the General screen, select Tabs for Favorites in the New windows open with dropdown list.

Keep Track of Your Favorite Pages in Safari

Safari already offers great tools in the bookmarks and Favorites features. And they'll help you keep your favorite and important pages organized.

But if you want other options for managing your bookmarks, you can look through some great Safari extensions for bookmark management .

• Latest News

Import and export all of your Safari bookmarks, as a single file

Apple manage to pack a lot into their Safari web browser, including a dedicated Reader Mode , the ability to block push notifications , and a whole bunch of privacy and security settings. However, Safari does lack an effective way to import and export bookmarks, particularly when compared to other modern web browsers.

Although there is an “File > Import From” option in Safari’s menu, this isn’t the easiest way to import bookmarks! If you select “File > Import From” then it’ll import your bookmarks as a folder that cannot be accessed from Safari’s “Bookmarks” menu. You’ll need to use Safari’s Bookmarks manager to manually sort through the folder of imported bookmarks, before you can even access and use any of these bookmarks!

This manual importing and sorting can become a serious problem when you’re moving to a new Mac, as you could potentially have hundreds of bookmarks that you want to bring with you.

In this article, I’ll show you how to export all of your Safari bookmarks as a single file, and then import them into a new version of Safari with a few clicks of the mouse, and with no manual sorting required.

Export all of your bookmarks as a single file

In Safari 3 and later all of your bookmarks are saved as a Bookmarks.plist file in macOS’ Library/Safari directory. The easiest way to move your entire list of bookmarks from one Mac to another, is to make a copy of the Bookmarks.plist file, and transfer it to your new Mac.

To locate and copy the Bookmarks.plist file:

• Open a new “Finder” window.
• Select “Go > Go to Folder…” This should launch a new popup.
• Copy/paste the following into the popup:

~/Library/Safari

• Click “Go.” This takes you to a folder containing your Mac’s Bookmarks.plist file.

• You now need to make a copy of the Bookmarks.plist file, so either Control-click the file and select “Copy Bookmarks.plist,” or drag it to a new location while holding the “alt/option” key.

You now need to move this copy to your new Mac, for example you might transfer it using a USB stick or external hard drive, email it to yourself, or upload it to an online hosting service such as Dropbox or OneDrive, and then download the Bookmarks.plist file to your new Mac.

Import your Safari bookmarks

Once you’ve downloaded the Bookmarks.plist file, you need to import it into Safari. Note that this process will override your Mac’s original Bookmarks.plist file.

To import your Bookmarks.plist file:

• If Safari is currently open, close it.
• Select “Go > Go to Folder…”
• Copy/paste the following into the subsequent popup:
• Click “Go.”
• Drag and drop your new Bookmarks.plist file into this folder.
• When macOS warns you that it’s about to override the original Bookmarks.plist file, click the “Replace” button.
• Launch Safari – all of your bookmarks should now be available!

Automatically sync your bookmarks with iCloud

If you have an iCloud account, then you can sync your Safari bookmarks across multiple Macs and iOS devices. You just need to sign into the same iCloud account on all of your devices, and then make sure Safari is enabled as an iCloud service on each device.

To enable the Safari service on your Mac:

• Click the “Apple” logo in your Mac’s menu bar.
• Navigate to “System Preferences… > iCloud.”
• In the left-hand menu, find the “Safari” item and select its accompanying checkbox.

Now, as long as you’re signed into the same iCloud account on each of your Apple devices, you’ll have access to all of your Safari bookmarks.

Before you go

After spending over 20 years working with Macs, both old and new, theres a tool I think would be useful to every Mac owner who is experiencing performance issues.

CleanMyMac is highest rated all-round cleaning app for the Mac, it can quickly diagnose and solve a whole plethora of common (but sometimes tedious to fix) issues at the click of a button. It also just happens to resolve many of the issues covered in the speed up section of this site, so Download CleanMyMac to get your Mac back up to speed today.

You may also like

Do you really need additional RAM? Analyze your memory usage, with Activity Monitor

Convert audio files to MP3, AAC, AIFF, Apple Lossless, or WAV format

Having problems with Mojave’s Dynamic Desktop?

About the author.

Jessica Thornsby

Jessica Thornsby is a technical writer based in Sheffield. She writes about Android, Java, Kotlin and all things Apple. She is the co-author of O'Reilly's "iWork: The Missing Manual," and the author of "Android UI Design," from Packt Publishing.

Add Comment

Leave a reply cancel reply.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

How to export Safari bookmarks from your iPhone or iPad to a Mac or PC

If you keep certain pages bookmarked in Safari on your iPhone or iPad and want to export those same bookmarks to your Mac or PC, then you’re in luck because there’s a way you can do this without wasting too much of your time.

We’ll show you how you can do it on both your Mac and your Windows computer.

Make sure iCloud handles your bookmarks

To export your iPhone’s Safari bookmarks to your Mac or PC, you need to have iCloud syncing enabled for Safari on your iPhone and the device you want to sync with. Follow these steps to do that:

• Open the Settings app on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
• Tap your name from the top.
• Hit iCloud > Show All and make sure the switch next to Safari is enabled.

After you enable this setting, your bookmarks from Safari on your iOS device are going to be uploaded to iCloud, so your other iCloud-enabled devices can sync them. So, make sure all your devices are connected to the internet.

Export iPhone or iPad bookmarks

To your mac.

If you followed the steps above, then your iOS device’s bookmarks are already in the cloud at this point, and now you can start exporting them to your computer. This section will show you how to do that on your Mac.

To start, go to the Apple menu  > System Preferences > Apple ID > iCloud and make sure you have a checkmark in the Safari checkbox.

Now that you have enabled Safari bookmarks syncing via iCloud on your Mac, the bookmarks you uploaded from your iOS device will now be downloaded to Safari on your Mac.

Next, launch Safari on your Mac and go to File > Export > Bookmarks… from the Menu Bar.

When prompted, choose a place to save the export and click on the blue Save button:

Now you should be left with an HTML file that contains all your bookmarks:

Import Safari bookmarks to Chrome or Firefox

You can use this as a backup if you ever need to import your bookmarks to Safari again or another web browser like Chrome or Firefox, for that matter. The import process for each web browser differs, but all browsers should be able to import that file. Here’s how:

Chrome : Open Chrome on your Mac and click the three dots icon from the top right. Here, pick Bookmarks > Import Bookmarks and Settings . Next, click the dropdown menu and choose Bookmarks HTML File . Finally, click Choose File , select the Safari Bookmarks HTML file and hit Open .

Firefox : Launch Firefox on Mac and press Command + Shift + O to go to Bookmarks manager. From here, click the two-arrow icon and choose Import Bookmarks from HTML .

To your Windows PC

If you have a Windows machine, things are a little more convoluted because you have a different operating system that Apple has no control over. Nevertheless, it’s still possible to export your iOS device’s bookmarks to your Windows PC.

The first thing you’re going to want to do is to make sure you followed the first section of this post and enabled iCloud syncing for Safari bookmarks on your iPhone or iPad.

Next, you need to download iCloud for Windows if you don’t already have it, which is a free download from Apple’s website. After you install it, or if you already have it installed, launch your iCloud dashboard on your PC.

Next, you’re going to want to put a checkmark in the Bookmarks checkbox:

By default, iCloud will sync your bookmarks with Microsoft Edge (earlier Internet Explorer), but you can change this to Chrome or Firefox (depending on what you have installed) by clicking on the Options… button. Once you get the Bookmarks Options prompt, choose the web browser you want to sync with and click OK .

Once satisfied, click the Apply button from the main iCloud dashboard, and this will save your changes.

The very same bookmarks you have on your iOS device should now be synced to the web browser of your choice on your Windows PC.

Now that you know a way to keep your bookmarks in sync across your mobile devices and your computer, you can easily pick up on your computer where you left off on your mobile device.

Were you able to export your iOS device’s bookmarks to your computer without any trouble? Let us know in the comments!

• How to manage bookmarks in Safari on iPhone, iPad, and Mac
• How to pin tabs in Safari on iPhone, iPad, and Mac
• How to use bookmark folders in Safari
• How and why to update Safari, Chrome, and other web browsers on iPhone and Mac

• PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
• Browse Articles
• Learn Something New
• Quizzes Hot
• This Or That Game New
• Train Your Brain
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow
• Log in / Sign up
• Computers and Electronics
• Internet Browsers
• Safari Browser

3 Easy Ways to Transfer and Import Bookmarks with Safari

Last Updated: April 8, 2024 Fact Checked

Importing Chrome or Firefox Bookmarks (Desktop)

Importing a bookmarks file (desktop), importing bookmarks to safari (mobile), troubleshooting.

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Rain Kengly . Rain Kengly is a wikiHow Technology Writer. As a storytelling enthusiast with a penchant for technology, they hope to create long-lasting connections with readers from all around the globe. Rain graduated from San Francisco State University with a BA in Cinema. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 166,360 times. Learn more...

Are you trying to back up or import your bookmarks to Safari? It's an easy process if you're using a computer! If you want to sync your bookmarks to your iPhone or iPad, you'll need to do a few extra steps. This wikiHow article teaches you how to import bookmarks to Safari whether you're moving from Google Chrome, Firefox, or any other browser.

Quick Tips to Move Your Safari Bookmarks

To import bookmarks from another browser in Safari, click File , Import From , and then select a browser. You can also export your bookmarks into an HTML file in Chrome, Firefox, or another browser, and then import it with Safari.

• Use this method if you want to import bookmarks from Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox into Safari on your Mac device.
• If this is your first time opening Safari, importing from Chrome or Firefox can be automatic if you choose Keep your imported items . If you didn't opt for that, continue reading to manually import bookmarks from Chrome and Firefox.

• If this button is greyed out and unclickable, make sure Chrome or Firefox is not open in the background.
• If you imported passwords, you may need to enter your admin password before you can continue.

• Click ⋮ in the top-right corner.
• Hover over Bookmarks and lists .
• Click Bookmark manager .
• Click Export bookmarks . [3] X Research source
• Select a save location.
• Click ☰ in the top-right corner.
• Click Bookmarks .
• Click Manage bookmarks .
• Click Import and Backup .
• Click Export Bookmarks to HTML… [4] X Research source

• Imported bookmarks will appear under "Bookmarks" in the sidebar. [7] X Research source

• Safari is unavailable for Windows devices.

• Enter your password if prompted.

• You may need to tap Show all to see it. [12] X Research source

Community Q&A

• Keep a copy of your bookmarks' HTML file on hand as a backup in case you lose your bookmarks. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• You can continue to add bookmarks to your library from within Safari by pressing ⌘ Command + D . Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• To see a non-Safari browser's favorites on mobile, export that browser's HTML file to your desktop, import it into Safari, and then sync your mobile with iCloud. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/safari/bookmarking-in-safari/1/
• ↑ https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/96816?hl=en
• ↑ https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/export-firefox-bookmarks-to-backup-or-transfer
• ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-al/guide/safari/ibrw1015/mac
• ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/102314
• ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/bookmark-favorite-webpages-iph42ab2f3a7/ios

About This Article

1. Open Safari. 2. Go to the File tab and hover over Import From . 3. Click Google Chrome or Firefox . 4. Select the items you want to import. 5. Click Import . Did this summary help you? Yes No

• Send fan mail to authors

Is this article up to date?

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Watch Articles

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info

Keep up with tech in just 5 minutes a week!

Want to highlight a helpful answer? Upvote!

Did someone help you, or did an answer or User Tip resolve your issue? Upvote by selecting the upvote arrow. Your feedback helps others!  Learn more about when to upvote >

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

How can I transfer my Safari bookmarks with my iPhone Safari?

How can I share my Safari bookmarks with my iPhone Safari?

iPhone 13, iOS 16

Posted on Dec 24, 2022 9:46 AM

Posted on Dec 24, 2022 9:54 AM

Hello gbailie,

To transfer Safari bookmarks from your iPhone to another device, you can use the iCloud service provided by Apple. Here's how to do it:

• On your iPhone, open the Settings app.
• Tap on your name at the top of the screen to access your iCloud settings.
• Tap on iCloud.
• Scroll down and tap on Safari.
• Turn on the toggle next to "iCloud Bookmarks".

This will sync your Safari bookmarks to your iCloud account, which you can then access on other devices by signing in to iCloud with the same Apple ID.

To access your bookmarks on another device:

• On the other device, open the Safari app.
• Tap on the bookmarks icon (it looks like an open book).
• Tap on the iCloud tab at the top of the screen.
• Your bookmarks will be listed here.

Alternatively, you can also transfer your bookmarks by exporting them from Safari on your iPhone and importing them into the browser on your other device. To do this:

• On your iPhone, open the Safari app.
• Tap on the bookmarks icon.
• Tap on the bookmarks tab at the bottom of the screen.
• Tap on the Edit button in the top-right corner of the screen.
• Tap on the bookmark you want to export.
• Tap on the Share button (it looks like a box with an arrow coming out of it).
• Tap on the "Add to Home Screen" option.
• Enter a name for the bookmark and tap on the Add button.

This will create a bookmark on your home screen that links to the page. You can then transfer this bookmark to your other device by emailing it to yourself or using a file-sharing app.

If this doesn't help please view this link --> If your iCloud or Safari bookmarks aren’t syncing - Apple Support

If none of these work please contact Apple Customer Service.

Best regards,

KevTechSupport

Similar questions

• How do I transfer my Safari Bookmarks to my new Apple iPad? How do I transfer my Safari Bookmarks to my new Apple iPad? 449 2
• iPad Safari and IPad Chrome Bookmark Sync How do I sync my iPad chrome bookmarks with my iPad safari bookmarks. Both the iPad iOS and safari app are updated to today 9/17/2020. 1647 2
• restore safari bookmarks to my iphone from icloud I keep reading that i can restore safari bookmarks to my iphone 12 from icloud. I have searched apple a dozed or so times and haven’t found specific instructions on EXACTLY how to do this. Can anyone help? 432 1

Loading page content

Page content loaded

Dec 24, 2022 9:54 AM in response to gbailie

Safari User Guide

• Change your homepage
• Import bookmarks, history, and passwords
• Make Safari your default web browser
• Go to websites
• Find what you’re looking for
• Bookmark webpages that you want to revisit
• See your favorite websites
• Use tabs for webpages
• Pin frequently visited websites
• Play web videos
• Mute audio in tabs
• Pay with Apple Pay
• Autofill credit card info
• Autofill contact info
• Keep a Reading List
• Hide ads when reading articles
• Translate a webpage
• Download items from the web
• Share or post webpages
• Add passes to Wallet
• Save part or all of a webpage
• Print or create a PDF of a webpage
• Customize a start page
• Customize the Safari window
• Customize settings per website
• Zoom in on webpages
• Get extensions
• Manage cookies and website data
• Block pop-ups
• Clear your browsing history
• Browse privately
• Autofill user name and password info
• Prevent cross-site tracking
• View a Privacy Report
• Change Safari preferences
• Keyboard and other shortcuts
• Troubleshooting

Add a bookmark folder in Safari on Mac

You can organize bookmarks into folders in the Safari sidebar.

Open Safari for me

Control-click in the sidebar and choose New Folder.

Enter a folder name.

To change the name, Control-click the folder, then choose Rename.

Drag the folder to the location you want.