Import Bookmarks to Safari

If you are changing your default web browser to Safari, you can save your Chrome, Firefox, or Internet Explorer bookmarks/favorites to an HTML file, then use Safari's "Import From File" option to view those bookmarks in Safari. You can also import mobile bookmarks from your computer's Safari bookmarks to an iPhone or iPad using iCloud. Importing your bookmarks ensures that all of your favorite sites are easily accessible in your new browser.

Steps

Importing Bookmarks into Desktop Safari

  1. Open Safari.
  2. Locate your bookmarks file. If you exported from a browser, your file should be wherever you chose to save it.
    • If you saved your bookmarks file in iCloud or Google Drive, open the appropriate site. You'll need to download your bookmarks file before you can import your bookmarks.
  3. If needed, download your bookmarks file from iCloud or Drive. Make a note of your file's location so you know from where you can import it.
  4. Click "File" in the upper left-hand corner of your screen.
  5. Select "Import From", then click "Bookmarks HTML File". Your computer will ask you to select a file to import.
  6. Locate and select your bookmarks file. It should be exactly where you saved it (e.g., your desktop).
  7. Click "Import".
  8. Refresh your browser by pressing F5. Your bookmarks should now be under your URL bar!

Importing Bookmarks to Safari Mobile

  1. Open Safari on your computer.
  2. Open the Apple menu. This is the apple-shaped icon in the upper left-hand corner of your display.
  3. Click "System Preferences", then click "iCloud". This opens the iCloud settings menu.
  4. Log into iCloud using your Apple ID. You should use the same login information you use to log into iCloud on your iPhone or iPad.[1]
  5. Check the "Safari" option in the iCloud menu. This will ensure that Safari's data--including your bookmarks--is saved on iCloud and available to any phone/tablet associated with your iCloud account.
  6. Pick up your iPhone/iPad and unlock it.
  7. Open your "Settings" app. This is the grey gear icon on your home screen.
  8. Tap the "iCloud" settings option.
  9. Log into iCloud again using your Apple ID. Your Apple ID should be the same login information you used to log into iCloud on your computer.
  10. Scroll until you find the "Safari" option, then swipe it on. If the switch is green, Safari is updating via iCloud.
  11. Exit your Settings app.
  12. Open your "Safari" app and open your bookmarks page. This page is represented by a book-shaped icon in the toolbar at the bottom of your screen.
  13. Confirm that your bookmarks were imported. Your Safari bookmarks should all be listed under the "Favorites" tab.

Exporting Bookmarks from Other Browsers

Google Chrome

  1. Open Google Chrome.
  2. Open the "Customize and control Google Chrome" menu. This menu is indicated by three horizontal lines in the upper right-hand corner of your browser's window.[2]
  3. Select the "Bookmarks" option. This will prompt a drop-down menu.
  4. Click on "Bookmark manager" in the drop-down menu.
  5. Click on "Organize". "Organize" is located directly over your list of bookmarks.
  6. In the drop-down menu, click "Export bookmarks to HTML file".
    • To export this file to mobile, you'll still need to import it to a Safari desktop first.
  7. Choose your file's save location in the left panel of the "Save As" window. Save your file somewhere easily accessible, like your desktop.
    • You can also change the bookmarks file's name in the "Save As" window.
  8. Click "OK" to download your file.
  9. Confirm the file's location. Your file is now ready to be imported into Safari!
    • If you're transferring bookmarks from one computer to another, move your bookmarks file to a flash drive or upload it to the cloud (e.g., iCloud or Google Drive) before moving to your other computer.

Firefox

  1. Open Firefox.
  2. Click the "Bookmarks" button in the bookmarks toolbar. This will take you to the Bookmarks menu.
  3. Click "Show All Bookmarks" to open the "Library" window. The Library window displays all of your bookmarks, as well as import and export options.[3]
  4. Click the "Import and Backup" button in the Library toolbar.
  5. Click "Export Bookmarks to HTML". Firefox will prompt you to choose a save location.
    • To export this file to mobile, you'll still need to import it to a Safari desktop first.
  6. Choose your file's save location in the left panel of the "Save As" window. Save your file somewhere easily accessible, like your desktop.
    • You can also change the bookmarks file's name in the "Save As" window.
  7. Click "Save" to download your file.
  8. Confirm the file's location. Your file is now ready to be imported into Safari!
    • If you're transferring bookmarks from one computer to another, move your bookmarks file to a flash drive or upload it to the cloud (e.g., iCloud or Google Drive) before moving to your other computer.

Internet Explorer

  1. Open Internet Explorer.
  2. Click the star icon in the upper right-hand corner of your window. This will open the "Favorites, feeds, and history" menu.[4]
  3. Click the "down" arrow next to the "Add to favorites" text. This will open a drop-down menu.
  4. In the drop-down menu, click "Import and Export". This opens the "Import/Export Settings" window.
  5. Select "Export a file", then click "Next".
    • To export this file to mobile, you'll still need to import it to a Safari desktop first.
  6. Click the "Favorites" option to check it, then click "Next".
  7. Select the files you would like to export, then click "Next".
    • If you want to export your entire Favorites folder, subfolders included, click "Favorites" at the top of the list.
  8. Click "Browse" to select a save location. Save your file somewhere easily accessible, like your desktop.
  9. Click "OK" to confirm your save location.
  10. Click "Export". Your file will download to your selected save location.
  11. Confirm the file's location. Your file is now ready to be imported into Safari!
    • If you're transferring bookmarks from one computer to another, move your bookmarks file to a flash drive or upload it to the cloud (e.g., iCloud or Google Drive) before moving to your other computer.

Tips

  • Keep a copy of your bookmarks' HTML file on hand as a backup in case you lose your bookmarks.
  • You can continue to add bookmarks to your library from within Safari by pressing ⌘ Command + D.
  • 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.

Warnings

  • Apple no longer supports Safari on Windows machines.

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.everythingicafe.com/how-to-sync-safari-bookmarks-on-iphone-ipad-with-mac-or-pc/
  2. ↑ http://www.macworld.co.uk/how-to/mac/how-export-bookmarks-from-chrome-safari-3595810/
  3. ↑ https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/export-firefox-bookmarks-to-backup-or-transfer
  4. ↑ http://www.digitalcitizen.life/how-import-or-export-bookmarks-when-using-internet-explorer-11
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