Quick answer: Open the Bookmark manager (three-dot menu > Bookmarks > Bookmark manager), click the three-dot menu inside it, and choose Export bookmarks to save an HTML file. Use Import bookmarks the same way to bring an HTML file back in.
Why Export or Import Bookmarks Manually
If your Google account already syncs bookmarks across devices, you may never need this. But a manual HTML export is useful for backing up bookmarks outside your Google account, moving them to a browser that isn’t signed into the same account, or migrating from a different computer to your Chromebook without signing in and waiting for sync.
How to Export Bookmarks on a Chromebook
1. Open the Bookmark manager
Click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner of Chrome, then go to Bookmarks > Bookmark manager. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+O.
2. Open the export option
Inside the Bookmark manager, click the three-dot menu near the top of the page (in the blue toolbar area, not the browser’s main menu) and select Export bookmarks.
3. Choose where to save the file
Pick a save location — your Downloads folder, Google Drive, or a USB drive — and keep the .html file extension. Click Save.
How to Import Bookmarks on a Chromebook
1. Open the Bookmark manager
Same as above: three-dot menu > Bookmarks > Bookmark manager.
2. Open the import option
Click the three-dot menu inside the Bookmark manager and select Import bookmarks.
3. Select your HTML file
Browse to the exported .html file using the Files app picker and select it. Chrome adds all the bookmarks into a new folder, usually named after the import source or date, so your existing bookmarks aren’t overwritten.
A Few Things to Know
- The exported file only contains bookmarks — not saved passwords, browsing history, or extensions.
- Imported bookmarks land in a new folder rather than merging automatically with your existing structure, so you may want to reorganize afterward.
- If you just want bookmarks to follow you between your own devices automatically, turning on Sync is usually simpler than manual export/import — see our guide on syncing bookmarks, passwords, and settings across devices.
FAQ
Can I open the exported bookmarks file directly?
Yes, it’s a standard HTML file — opening it in Chrome shows a plain list of links, though it’s meant to be imported rather than browsed directly.
Will importing bookmarks delete my existing ones?
No, imported bookmarks are added into a new folder alongside your existing bookmarks, not merged or overwritten.
Can I import bookmarks exported from a different browser?
Yes, as long as the other browser exports a standard HTML bookmarks file, Chrome on your Chromebook can import it.
