Find and Backup Your Google Chrome Bookmarks on Any OS — Full Guide to Locating the Bookmarks File (Windows / Mac / Linux)

This guide walks you through exactly where Chrome keeps your bookmarks on different operating systems, how to safely back them up, and what to do to restore or migrate them — whether you use Windows, macOS, or Linux. Follow the instructions carefully to safeguard your saved links before making major system changes, changing devices, or troubleshooting lost bookmarks.

Where Chrome Stores Bookmarks — OS by OS

Windows

On Windows PCs, your Chrome bookmarks are stored in a hidden system folder tied to your user profile. Here’s how to locate them:

• Open File Explorer. Go to your user directory — typically C:\Users\.
• Enable viewing of hidden files and folders (via the “View” tab → check “Hidden items”).
• Then navigate to C:\Users\\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default (if you use the default profile).
• Inside that folder you’ll find a file named Bookmarks (no file extension). This is the main file where Chrome saves your bookmarks data. There may also be a Bookmarks.bak file — a backup snapshot created by Chrome.

If you use multiple Chrome profiles, substitute “Default” with the folder corresponding to your profile (e.g., “Profile 1”, “Profile 2”, etc.).

macOS

On a Mac computer, the bookmark file resides in the user’s Library folder, which is hidden by default. To find it:

• Open Finder.
• In the menu bar, click Go while holding the Option (Alt) key — this reveals the hidden Library folder. Click it.
• Then go to Application Support → Google → Chrome → Default (or the name of your Chrome profile folder, if you have multiple profiles).
• You should see the files named Bookmarks and possibly Bookmarks.bak.

Linux

Linux users can also access their Chrome bookmarks file directly, which is helpful for manual backups or migrations. The usual path is:

• ~/.config/google-chrome/Default/Bookmarks
• If you use a non-default profile, the “Default” folder may be replaced by the profile name.

The “Bookmarks” file is a JSON-formatted document containing all your saved bookmarks (URL, title, folder structure, metadata). The file is human-readable if opened with a plain-text editor or JSON viewer, though manual edits are generally discouraged.

Why Knowing the Bookmark File Location Matters

Understanding where Chrome stores bookmarks can be useful for several real-world scenarios. Here are the most common reasons people need direct access:

• Manual backup: Relying solely on sync may not be enough if your account gets compromised or Chrome data becomes corrupted. Having a local copy ensures you can restore your bookmarks anytime.
• Migration: When moving to a new computer or OS, copying the bookmarks file transfers all saved links and folder structure without relying on export/import interfaces.
• Recovery after crashes or updates: If Chrome loses bookmarks after an update or system error, restoring the “Bookmarks.bak” file may recover lost entries.
• Merging or consolidating profiles: If you maintain multiple Chrome profiles or want to combine bookmarks from different accounts, direct access to the files allows selective merging.
• Offline archiving: For privacy or long-term archival, storing bookmarks as files (or HTML export) independently from Google’s servers ensures long-term access regardless of account status.

How to Backup Chrome Bookmarks Safely

Backing up bookmarks manually is a simple but important precaution. Here are two recommended methods — direct file copy and using built-in export functionality.

Method 1: Copying the Bookmark Files

This method copies the raw data files, which is especially useful if you plan to transfer or restore full bookmark sets.

• Close Chrome completely to avoid file corruption (no Chrome windows open).
• Locate your “Bookmarks” file (and optionally “Bookmarks.bak”) using the OS-specific path described above.
• Copy the files to a secure location: an external drive, cloud storage, or another folder on your system.
• Label the copy clearly (e.g., “ChromeBookmarksBackup_2025_11_26”) so you know when it was created.
• To restore bookmarks later: close Chrome, place the backup file into the original profile folder, replacing the existing one, then reopen Chrome. Your bookmarks (as of the backup date) should appear.

Method 2: Exporting Bookmarks via Chrome Interface

This is a user-friendly way to create a portable HTML file containing your bookmarks — ideal for sharing, archiving, or importing into another browser.

• Open Chrome.
• Click the three-dot menu (⋮) at the top right → select Bookmarks → Bookmark Manager.
• In Bookmark Manager, click the three-dot menu near the top-right of that tab → choose Export bookmarks.
• Select a destination folder (external drive, cloud storage, etc.) and save the resulting HTML file (e.g., “chrome_bookmarks_2025-11-26.html”).
• You can later import this HTML file into Chrome (or another browser) via the same menu → Import bookmarks/settings → choose the file.

How to Recover Lost or Deleted Chrome Bookmarks

Sometimes bookmarks disappear — due to accidental deletion, a browser crash, a profile corruption, or a troublesome update. If that happens, these recovery steps can help.

Using the Backup File (Bookmarks.bak)

If the “Bookmarks” file is corrupted or overwritten, Chrome often preserves a backup snapshot in “Bookmarks.bak.” To attempt recovery:

• Make sure Chrome is fully closed (no windows running).
• Go to your profile folder (Default, Profile1, etc.) and locate “Bookmarks.bak”.
• Rename the current “Bookmarks” file (e.g., “Bookmarks.corrupt” or “Bookmarks.old”) to keep a copy.
• Rename “Bookmarks.bak” to “Bookmarks”.
• Launch Chrome — it should reload the bookmarks as they were at the time of that backup.

Note: Any changes (new bookmarks) made after the backup was created will be lost.

Importing Previously Exported HTML File

If you had previously exported bookmarks to HTML, recovery is straightforward:

• Open Chrome → Bookmarks → Bookmark Manager → three-dot menu → Import bookmarks.
• Select your HTML backup file. Chrome will restore the saved links and preserve folder structure as stored in that file.

Tips for Managing Bookmarks: Best Practices

To avoid future loss and keep your bookmarks organized and portable, follow these recommended practices:

• Use Chrome Sync (with caution): If you sign in with your Google account and enable sync, bookmarks are stored in the cloud and synced across devices. But consider also maintaining a local backup in case sync malfunctions or you lose account access.
• Regular backups: Periodically (e.g., monthly or quarterly), export bookmarks or copy the Bookmarks file to external or cloud storage. This ensures you have a recent snapshot.
• Use descriptive filenames for backups: Include the date (e.g., “chrome_bookmarks_2025-11-26.html”) to avoid confusion and track versions.
• Label bookmark folders thoughtfully: Organize by topic (work, personal, research, reference) so recovery or migration keeps your folders meaningful.
• Before editing or deleting bookmarks: Export or copy them first — especially before cleaning up or bulk reorganizing.
• Be careful when multiple profiles exist: Always confirm which profile’s folder you’re accessing (Default, Profile 1, etc.) — otherwise you might back up or restore the wrong set of bookmarks.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

Even with direct access to the bookmark files, some mistakes can cause loss or corruption. Watch out for these pitfalls:

• Editing the JSON directly without care: The Bookmarks file is JSON-formatted. Manual edits — such as deleting entries or changing syntax — can corrupt the file and make Chrome unable to read bookmarks.
• Leaving Chrome open during backup/restoration: If Chrome is running while copying or replacing files, file locking could prevent a proper copy or lead to corruption.
• Overwriting profile folders by mistake: On systems with multiple profiles, copying one profile’s bookmarks into another profile’s folder can overwrite or merge incorrectly.
• Confusing sync vs. local file storage: Relying solely on cloud sync may cause confusion if sync is disabled or if you lose access to the Google account. Local backups remain unaffected by cloud issues.
• Not backing up often enough: Losing bookmarks just after a large reorganization or cleanup is painful — maintain regular backups to minimize potential losses.

How to Migrate Chrome Bookmarks to a New Device or Browser

Whether you’re switching computers, reinstalling your OS, or migrating to a different browser, these steps help ensure your Chrome bookmarks move with you intact.

Migrating via Bookmarks File Copy (Ideal for same OS or Chrome on new machine)

1. On the old machine: close Chrome, locate the profile folder, and copy the “Bookmarks” (and optionally “Bookmarks.bak”) files to external storage.
2. On the new machine (after installing Chrome): close Chrome, place the copied files into the appropriate profile folder (create one if needed), replacing default or empty files.
3. Open Chrome — your bookmarks and folder structure should appear instantly.
4. If you used a different OS (e.g., moving from Windows to macOS), make sure Chrome versions are compatible and that you place files in the correct OS-specific folder.

Migrating via HTML Export/Import (Best for cross-browser migration)

1. On the old machine: open Bookmark Manager and export bookmarks to HTML.
2. Copy the HTML file to the new machine or browser.
3. Open Chrome (or the new browser), go to bookmarks/favorites import menu, and select the HTML file to import.
4. The browser will recreate your bookmark list and folder hierarchy as stored in the HTML file.

This method is especially handy when moving from Chrome to a different browser (or vice versa), because HTML-based bookmarks enjoy wide compatibility.

Troubleshooting: What to Do If Bookmarks Don’t Appear or Are Missing

If after migrating or restoring bookmarks you don’t see your saved links, one of the following issues may be at fault. Try these checks:

• Wrong profile folder used: Double-check that you placed the file into the right profile folder (Default, Profile 1, etc.). If you have multiple profiles, Chrome may load an empty profile by default, hiding your bookmarks. Switching profiles may reveal them.
• Browser sync overwrote local files: If sync is enabled and connected to another device with fewer bookmarks, the cloud version may have overwritten your local files. In that case, disable sync before restoring from backup.
• Corrupted JSON structure: If the Bookmarks file is malformed (due to improper editing), Chrome may ignore it. In such cases, try restoring from “Bookmarks.bak” or import an exported HTML backup.
• Permissions issues: On some systems, file permissions may prevent Chrome from reading the restored file. Ensure the file is owned by your user account and has appropriate read/write permissions.
• Browser cache or profile data conflicts: Occasionally, cached profile metadata may interfere; closing Chrome completely before replacing files usually resolves this.

When to Use Chrome’s Sync vs. Manual Backup — Pros and Cons

Both sync and manual backups have strengths. Depending on your needs and level of caution, you may choose one or both methods. Here’s a breakdown:

• Chrome Sync (cloud-based): Automatically keeps bookmarks synchronized across all signed-in devices. Best for seamless access and convenience. However, if sync becomes corrupted or a device with fewer bookmarks overrides the cloud, you may lose data.
• Manual backups (file copy or export): Independent of cloud and account issues, so data remains safe even if your Google account is compromised. Great for long-term archival, transfers, and recovery. Requires manual effort.
• Combined approach: Using both sync and periodic manual backups provides redundancy. You get convenience from sync and safety from manual copies — a recommended best practice for users who rely heavily on bookmarks.

Conclusion

Knowing exactly where Chrome stores bookmarks on your computer — and how to access those files — gives you powerful control over your saved links. Whether you’re backing up, migrating to a new device, recovering lost bookmarks, or preparing for a system restore, the “Bookmarks” file (and optionally “Bookmarks.bak”) is your anchor. By following the OS-specific paths and safe backup practices described above, you can minimize the risk of data loss, ensure portability, and retain access to your collection of saved web pages across devices and over time. For maximum safety, combine Chrome’s sync with manual backups so you always have more than one way to recover your bookmarks.