How to Recover Deleted Bookmarks on Chrome on PC, Mobile

Google Chrome is unstable when it comes to data management. Despite providing excellent sync support between devices, it doesn’t let you resort to much in case you accidentally delete your data. And when it comes to bookmarks, nothing changes.

If you accidentally delete a few bookmarks or a bookmark folder, it’s impossible to get them back after you miss the little ‘Undo’ option that briefly flashes at the bottom of the screen.

This is an urgent issue. But fortunately, there are a few workarounds you can use to get your bookmarks back, provided you act quickly.

The first method includes all the leading platforms – Windows, macOS, Android and iOS. The second workaround revolves around desktop computers only. Let’s look at both.

1. Reset Chrome Sync

Chrome Sync is so effective that just the act of launching the browser on a device will instantly sync your changes. This means that it is not possible to export your bookmarks using another device that may have your bookmarks intact. Not to mention that exporting (or importing) bookmarks with Chrome on Android and iOS is nearly impossible.

However, this is where performing a Chrome Sync reset can save the day, provided it meets these two conditions:

• At least one of your devices should have synced your bookmarks to it before the fiasco – the closest, the better.
• Since then you have not yet launched Chrome on the device in question – otherwise the changes will be reflected on the device as well.

For example, let’s say you deleted a few Chrome bookmarks on your Windows or macOS desktop, your bookmarks are still available on your Android or iOS smartphone. You haven’t opened Chrome since, which means your changes haven’t been synced to it yet.

This is where resetting Chrome Sync comes into the picture. The process will delete all data (including your bookmarks) on Google servers and force you to log out of all your devices. However, local data on these devices will remain intact.

This means you can safely open Chrome on your Android or iOS smartphone without worrying about any changes being made to it. When you sign in to Chrome, your bookmarks and other browsing data will be reloaded onto Google servers, which will be considered the starting point.

After that, all you have to do is log into your desktop and sync back the bookmarks you accidentally deleted earlier. The following steps will help you easily follow the above procedure. You can do this in any order on any desktop or mobile device.

Stage 1: On the device you just deleted your bookmarks on, in a new tab, type the following path into the Chrome address bar and then press or tap Enter:

chrome.google.com/sync

Step 2: On the Data From Chrome Sync page that appears, you need to scroll down and then click or tap on Reset Sync.

Stage 3: In the pop-up box that appears, click or tap OK to delete all your data from Google servers.

Step 4: Launch Chrome and sign in on the device that keeps all your bookmarks intact. All browsing data available on the device is now reloaded into your Google Account.

Note:

Step 5: Sign in to Chrome on the device you first deleted your bookmarks from and you’ll get them back. Visit the Chrome bookmarks manager to confirm.

Then make sure you’re signed in to Chrome on any other devices you might need to keep your browsing data and bookmarks synced across all of them.

Use Bookmarks Backup File

On Windows and macOS, Chrome creates a backup of your bookmarks between sessions. This provides a nice alternative to recover your bookmarks if you don’t have Chrome installed on multiple devices. But this only works if you’re acting soon and haven’t quit and restarted Chrome after deleting your bookmarks.

Stage 1: Press Windows+R to open the Run in Windows box. Type the following path (replace USERNAME with your Windows username) and then click OK:

C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default 

Open Finder on macOS and then navigate to the following path:

Macintosh HD > Users > USERNAME > Library > Application Support > Google > Chrome > Default 

Step 2: Find files tagged Bookmarks and Bookmarks.bak.

Stage 3: Cut and paste the Bookmarks file to a different location on your computer.

Step 4: Rename the Bookmarks.bak file to Bookmarks.

Save your work, exit Chrome, and then restart. Provided that the backup file is overwritten with the changes made, you should find your deleted bookmarks listed again in the bookmark manager.

Successful Recovery

Did you manage to get your bookmarks back? Good luck if it’s a little late. But at least you know what to do next time you accidentally delete some bookmarks. Also note that you can also use the Chrome Sync reset workaround to recover deleted passwords.

Next: Having a Chrome sync password is one of the best ways to protect your browsing data. Learn about the pros and cons of using a Chrome sync password.