Backing Up Bookmarks
You can find directions on how to back up bookmarks for different browsers in the boxes below.
Option 1: Using plist file -preferred method
Note: This method overwrites your bookmarks folder structure and is only for a Safari-to-Safari transfer.
Backup:
1. Open the Finder on your Mac.
2. In the menu bar at the top, click on ‘Go’ and select ‘Go to Folder.’
3. In the ‘Go to Folder’ window, enter the following path and press Enter:
~/Library/Safari/
4. Locate the file named ‘Bookmarks.plist’ in the Safari folder.
5. Right-click (or Control-click) on the ‘Bookmarks.plist’ file and select ‘Copy’.
6. Choose a location on your computer, such as the Desktop or a specific folder, and right-click (or Control-click) in that location. Select ‘Paste’ to create a backup of the ‘Bookmarks.plist’ file.
Restore:
1. Close the Safari browser on your Mac.
2. In the Finder menu bar at the top, click on ‘Go’ and select ‘Go to Folder.’
3. In the ‘Go to Folder’ window, enter the following path and press Enter:
~/Library/Safari/
4. Locate the ‘Bookmarks.plist’ file in the Safari folder.
5. Right-click (or Control-click) on the ‘Bookmarks.plist’ file and select ‘Move to Trash.’
6. Locate the backup ‘Bookmarks.plist’ file that you previously created.
7. Right-click (or Control-click) on the backup ‘Bookmarks.plist’ file and select ‘Copy’.
8. Go back to the Safari folder in the Finder, right-click (or Control-click), and select ‘Paste Item’ to restore the backup ‘Bookmarks.plist’ file.
9. Open Safari, and your bookmarks should be restored, replacing any existing folder structure and bookmarks.
Option 2: HTML file -in browser method
Note: This method is an easier task to perform but does NOT restore your bookmarks folder structure, it just adds them to what is already there. It can also be used to transfer Safari bookmarks to a different browser.
Backup:
1. Open Safari on your MAC.
2. In the menu bar at the top, click on ‘File’ and select ‘Export Bookmarks…’ or use the keyboard shortcut Command + Shift + E.
3. Choose a location on your computer to save the exported bookmarks file and give it a name.
4. Click ‘Save’ to export your Safari bookmarks as an HTML file.
Restore:
1. Open Safari on your MAC.
2. In the menu bar at the top, click on ‘File’ and select ‘Import From’ and then ‘Bookmarks HTML File…’ or use the keyboard shortcut Command + Option + B.
3. Locate the HTML file that contains your backed-up bookmarks and click ‘Import’.
4. Safari will import the bookmarks from the HTML file and add them to your current bookmarks.
Additional Resources:
PLIST Backup & Restore
https://www.lifewire.com/back-up-or-move-safari-bookmarks-to-new-mac-2260891
HTML Export & Import
https://support.apple.com/en-ca/guide/safari/ibrw1015/mac (Choose your OS Version at the Top) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1dz0q2Y71Y
Note: An HTML backup can also be used to transfer Chrome bookmarks to a different browser.
Backup:
1. Open the Google Chrome browser on your computer.
2. Click on the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner to open the menu.
3. From the menu, hover over ‘Bookmarks’ and then click on ‘Bookmark Manager’.
4. In the Bookmark Manager, click on the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner.
5. Select ‘Export bookmarks’ from the menu.
6. Choose a location on your computer to save the exported bookmarks file and give it a name.
7. Click ‘Save’ to export your Chrome bookmarks as an HTML file.
Restore:
1. Open the Google Chrome browser on your computer.
2. Click on the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner to open the menu.
3. From the menu, hover over ‘Bookmarks’ and then click on ‘Bookmark Manager’.
4. In the Bookmark Manager, click on the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner.
5. Select ‘Import bookmarks’ from the menu.
6. Locate the HTML file that contains your backed-up bookmarks and select it.
7. Click ‘Open’ to import the bookmarks from the HTML file.
Chrome will import the bookmarks from the HTML file and add them to your current bookmarks.
Additional Resources:
https://www.howtogeek.com/440339/how-to-back-up-and-restore-your-chrome-bookmarks-locally
Option 1: Using JSON file -preferred method
Note: This method overwrites your bookmarks folder structure and is only for a Firefox-to-Firefox transfer.
Backup:
1. Open the Mozilla Firefox browser on your computer.
2. Click on the three-line menu icon (hamburger menu) in the top-right corner to open the menu.
3. From the menu, click on ‘Library’ and then select ‘Bookmarks’ to open the bookmarks library.
4. In the bookmarks library window, click on ‘Show All Bookmarks’ or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + B.
5. In the Library window, click on ‘Import and Backup’ in the menu bar and select ‘Backup…’ from the drop-down menu.
6. Choose a location on your computer to save the backup file, give it a name, and make sure the format is set to ‘JSON’.
7. Click ‘Save’ to create a backup of your Firefox bookmarks as a JSON file.
Restore:
1. Open the Mozilla Firefox browser on your computer.
2. Follow the steps above to open the bookmarks library.
3. In the bookmarks library window, click on ‘Show All Bookmarks’ or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + B.
4. In the Library window, click on ‘Import and Backup’ in the menu bar and select ‘Restore…’ from the drop-down menu.
5. Choose ‘Choose File’ and locate the JSON backup file containing your bookmarks.
6. Select the file and click ‘Open’ to start the restore process.
Firefox will import the bookmarks from the JSON file and replace any existing folder structure and bookmarks.
Option 2: Using HTML file Method
Note: An HTML backup can also be used to transfer Firefox bookmarks to a different browser.
Backup:
1. Open the Mozilla Firefox browser on your computer.
2. Click on the three-line menu icon in the top-right corner to open the menu.
3. From the menu, hover over ‘Bookmarks’ and then click on ‘Show All Bookmarks’ or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+B (Windows) or Command+Shift+B (Mac).
4. In the Library window that appears, click on ‘Import and Backup’ in the menu bar.
5. From the drop-down menu, select ‘Export Bookmarks to HTML.’
6. Choose a location on your computer to save the exported bookmarks file and give it a name.
7. Click ‘Save’ to export your Firefox bookmarks as an HTML file.
Restore:
1. Open the Mozilla Firefox browser on your computer.
2. Click on the three-line menu icon in the top-right corner to open the menu.
3. From the menu, hover over ‘Bookmarks’ and then click on ‘Show All Bookmarks’ or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+B (Windows/Linux) or Command+Shift+B (Mac).
4. In the Library window that appears, click on ‘Import and Backup’ in the menu bar.
5. From the drop-down menu, select ‘Import Bookmarks from HTML.’
6. Locate the HTML file that contains your backed-up bookmarks and select it.
7. Click ‘Open’ to import the bookmarks from the HTML file.
Firefox will import the bookmarks from the HTML file and add them to your current bookmarks.
Additional Resources:
Firefox Export & Import
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/export-firefox-bookmarks-to-backup-or-transfer
Backup & Restore
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-aw0ZNRby0
Note: An HTML backup can also be used to transfer Edge bookmarks to a different browser.
Backup:
1. Open the Microsoft Edge browser on your computer.
2. Click on the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner to open the menu.
3. From the menu, hover over ‘Favorites’ and then click on ‘Manage Favorites’ or ‘Favorites settings’.
4. In the Favorites settings window, click on ‘Export Favorites’.
5. Choose a location on your computer to save the exported bookmarks file and give it a name.
6. Click ‘Save’ to export your Edge bookmarks as an HTML file.
Restore:
1. Open the Microsoft Edge browser on your computer.
2. Click on the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner to open the menu.
3. From the menu, hover over ‘Favorites’ and then click on ‘Manage Favorites’ or ‘Favorites settings’.
4. In the Favorites settings window, click on ‘Import Favorites’.
5. Locate the HTML file that contains your backed-up bookmarks and select it.
6. Click ‘Open’ to import the bookmarks from the HTML file.
Edge will import the bookmarks from the HTML file and add them to your current bookmarks.
Additional Resources:
https://service.uoregon.edu/TDClient/2030/Portal/KB/ArticleDet?ID=32818