Top 3 Ways to Backup Chrome Bookmarks and Passwords

Google Chrome is widely appreciated, but it is not immune to data corruption. Unexpected browser crashes, problematic user profiles, and incorrect browser versions can contribute to this situation. That’s why it’s a great idea to back up your data if you have a lot of locally stored Chrome bookmarks or passwords.

There are several ways to back up your Chrome bookmarks and passwords. Suitable methods include signing into a Google Account, exporting data to an HTML or CSV file, or making copies of related data files. Let’s take an in-depth look at all three possible methods below.

1. Use Chrome Sync to Backup Bookmarks and Passwords

The best way to back up your bookmarks and passwords is to use Chrome’s integrated Sync function. Provided you have a Google Account (it’s free to create), you can easily sign in and set up Chrome Sync to back up your data to Google servers.

Create Google Account

With Chrome Sync, you can not only have a complete backup of your bookmarks and passwords, but also sync data across devices. Also, Chrome Sync continuously backs up your data; this means you always have an up-to-date backup of your bookmarks and passwords.

Stage 1: Click the profile icon in the upper-right corner of the Chrome window, and then select Turn On Sync.

Step 2: Enter your Google Account credentials to sign in to the web browser.

Stage 3: Click Settings when prompted to turn on Chrome Sync.

Step 4: Choose the data formats you want to back up and sync across devices, especially in this case bookmarks and passwords.

Step 5: Click the arrow-shaped Back icon, then click Confirm to open Chrome Sync.

This will prompt Chrome to start backing up your bookmarks, passwords, and any other specified data formats. Chrome Sync updates your data accordingly whenever you make any additions or changes. To access your data on another device, simply sign in to Chrome with your Google Account.

Note: If you’re already signed in with a Google Account, open the Chrome menu, then click Settings > Sync & Google Services > Manage What You Sync to to review the Chrome Sync settings.

You can also use Chrome Sync on Android and iOS versions of Google Chrome to back up your bookmarks and passwords. See our complete Chrome Sync guide for more details.

Export Bookmarks and Passwords to an HTML or CSV File

Google Chrome allows you to easily export your bookmarks and passwords to HTML and CSV formats respectively. This method is perfect if you don’t like using a Google Account. It also serves as an excellent tool to create offline backups of bookmarks and passwords at any time, even if you have Chrome Sync enabled.

Exports Bookmarks to an HTML File

Stage 1: Open the Chrome menu, point to Bookmarks, then click Bookmark Manager.

Step 2: Click the three-dot icon in the upper-right corner of the Chrome window.

Stage 3: Select the option labeled Export Bookmarks.

Step 4: To export bookmarks, specify a location within local storage and then click Save.

You can use the exported HTML file to export bookmarks back to Chrome or other supported browsers on any desktop device.

Note: The Android and iOS versions of Chrome do not offer an option to export bookmarks as HTML files. However, you can use Chrome Sync to sync your bookmarks from your mobile to a desktop and then export them to an HTML file using the steps above.

Export Passwords to CSV File

Stage 1: Open the Chrome menu and then click Settings.

Step 2: Click Passwords.

Stage 3: Click the three-dot icon next to Saved Passwords.

Step 4: Click Export Passwords.

Step 5: Click Export Passwords to confirm.

Step 6: Set a goal and then click Save.

You can export the data in the CSV file to Chrome or any other supported browser on any desktop device. It is also possible to read the content from a CSV file using a spreadsheet program.

Exporting passwords to CSV format is largely the same on Android and iOS. You can refer to our guide on exporting Chrome passwords to CSV on desktop, mobile, and web.

Copy Chrome Bookmarks and Passwords Storage Files

You can copy files that store your bookmarks and passwords in the Windows and macOS versions of Chrome. But there is a problem; If you want to restore your data on different devices or operating system profiles, you can only use the bookmarks file, not the password file. This happens because of the encrypted nature of the file holding your passwords; can only be used with the device/OS profile for which it was originally created.

Stage 1: Go to the folder that stores your Chrome data:

Windows — Press Windows+R to open Run, copy and paste the following folder path, and then click OK.

%UserProfile%\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data

macOS — Press Cmd+Space to open Spotlight Search, copy and paste the following folder path, then click OK.

~/Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome/

Step 2: Double-click the folder labeled Default to access the contents of your Chrome profile.

Note: If you have multiple profiles in Chrome, the respective profile folders are Profile 1, Profile 2, Profile 3, etc. will appear as

Stage 3: Copy the file labeled Bookmarks to create a backup of your bookmarks.

Step 4: Copy the files labeled Login Data and Login Data-journal to back up your passwords.

Once again, note that you cannot use the Login Data and Login Data log files to restore your passwords on a different device or operating system profile.

Backed up and Safe

Using Chrome Sync is the best and fastest way to back up your bookmarks and passwords; not only is it practically useful, but it also constantly backs up your data. However, if you want to take a snapshot of your data, exporting the data to HTML and CSV files or copying Chrome files that store bookmarks and passwords should work as viable alternatives.

Next: Accidentally deleted your Chrome passwords? Here’s how to save them.