If you have decided to abandon the internet browser you normally use to switch to Safari, know that you can export your Chrome, Firefox or Internet Explorer bookmarks to an HTML file and then use the "Import from File" function of Safari to import them into the new browser. If you wish, you can also sync your Safari desktop version favorites to iPhone or iPad via your iCloud account. Importing your favorites ensures that you can access all the websites you usually consult even from the new internet browser you have chosen.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Import the Favorites to the Desktop Version of Safari
Step 1. Launch the Safari application
Step 2. Locate the file that contains the favorites
If you exported them from another browser, the file is stored in the folder you chose during the export process.
If you have chosen to save your favorites to iCloud or Google Drive, you will need to log in to the appropriate site. In this case you will need to download the favorites file to your computer before you can import it into Safari
Step 3. If necessary, download the favorite save files to your computer from your iCloud or Google Drive account
Take note of the folder in which you have chosen to store the file, this information will be needed during the import phase.
Step 4. Access the "File" menu located in the upper left corner of the Safari window
Step 5. Choose the "Import from" item, then select the "Bookmarks HTML file" option
At this point a dialog box will appear to select the file to import.
Step 6. Locate and select the file that contains your favorites
It should be exactly inside the folder where you saved them (for example your computer desktop).
Step 7. Once your selection is complete, press the "Import" button
Step 8. Refresh your internet browser by pressing the F5 function key
At this point, the new favorites should have appeared below the address bar.
Method 2 of 3: Import the Favorites to the Mobile Version of Safari
Step 1. Launch the Safari application from your computer
Step 2. Enter the "Apple" menu
It features the classic bitten apple icon in the upper left corner of the screen.
Step 3. Choose the "System Preferences" option, then select the "iCloud" icon
A new menu will appear containing iCloud configuration settings.
Step 4. Log into iCloud using your Apple ID
In this case you should use the same iCloud account connected to the iPhone or iPad you want to sync.
Step 5. Select the "Safari" checkbox located in the iCloud menu
This way you can be sure that Safari data, including bookmarks, is synchronized to the iCloud account, thus being available for synchronization with any iOS device associated with that profile.
Step 6. Grab your iPhone or iPad, then unlock the screen to access its home screen
Step 7. Launch the "Settings" app
It is characterized by a gray gear icon placed on the device home.
Step 8. Select the "iCloud" option
Step 9. Log into iCloud using the same Apple ID you used earlier
Again, you need to use the Apple ID you used to log into your iCloud account from your computer.
Step 10. Scroll through the list until you find "Safari", then activate it
If the relevant switch is green, it means that Safari data is synchronized with that on iCloud.
Step 11. Close the "Settings" app
Step 12. Launch the Safari application, then go to the favorites page
The icon of this tab is characterized by an open book and is placed on the control bar located at the bottom of the screen.
Step 13. Verify that the favorites have been imported correctly
Favorites imported from the desktop version of Safari should be listed within the "Favorites" tab.
Method 3 of 3: Export Favorites from other Internet Browsers
Google Chrome
Step 1. Launch Google Chrome
Step 2. Go to the "Customize and control Google Chrome" menu
It features an icon consisting of three parallel horizontal lines located in the upper right corner of the browser window.
Step 3. Choose the "Favorites" option
A new drop-down menu will appear.
Step 4. Select the "Manage Favorites" item
Step 5. Click the "Organize" item
It is located directly on the header of the box that contains all the favorites.
Step 6. Select the option "Export bookmarks to HTML file" from the drop-down menu that appeared
To transfer this file to a mobile device, you will first need to import it within the desktop version of Safari
Step 7. Select the folder where you want to save the file using the left panel of the "Save As" window that appeared
In these cases it is always good to choose an easily accessible directory, such as the desktop.
If you wish, in the "Save as" window you can also rename the file to which the favorites will be exported
Step 8. To proceed with the export, press the "OK" button
Step 9. Verify that the export was successful
The favorites file is now ready to be imported into Safari.
If you want to transfer your favorites from one computer to another, before physically accessing the second machine, transfer the relevant file to a USB stick or to a cloud service account (such as iCloud or Google Drive)
Firefox
Step 1. Launch the Firefox application
Step 2. Press the "Bookmarks" button located on the browser toolbar
The favorites menu will be displayed.
Step 3. Choose the "View all bookmarks" option to enter the "Library" window
All favorites are displayed in this window, including import and export options.
Step 4. Press the "Import and Save" button located on the toolbar of the "Library" window
Step 5. Choose the "Export Bookmarks to HTML" option
Firefox will ask you where you want to save the file containing the exported bookmarks.
To transfer this file to a mobile device, you will first need to import it within the desktop version of Safari
Step 6. Select the folder in which to save the file using the left panel of the "Save As" window that appeared
In these cases it is always good to choose an easily accessible directory, such as the desktop.
If you wish, you can also rename the file to which the favorites will be exported in the "Save as" window
Step 7. Press the "Save" button to proceed with exporting the file
Step 8. Verify that the export was successful
The favorites file is now ready to be imported into Safari.
If you want to transfer your favorites from one computer to another, before physically accessing the second machine, transfer the relevant file to a USB stick or to a cloud service account (such as iCloud or Google Drive)
Internet Explorer
Step 1. Launch Internet Explorer
Step 2. Select the star icon located in the upper right corner of the window
The "Favorites, feeds and history" menu will appear.
Step 3. Select the down arrow icon next to "Add to Favorites"
A new drop-down menu will appear.
Step 4. Choose the "Import and Export" option
The "Import / Export Settings" window will appear.
Step 5. Choose the "Export to a file" item, then press the "Next" button
To transfer this file to a mobile device, you will first need to import it within the desktop version of Safari
Step 6. Select the "Favorites" checkbox, then press the "Next" button
Step 7. Choose the information you want to export, then press the "Next" button
If you want to export the entire contents of the "Favorites" folder, including subfolders, select the "Favorites" item at the top of the list
Step 8. Press the "Browse" button to choose where to save the file
In these cases it is always good to choose an easily accessible directory, such as the desktop.
Step 9. Press the "OK" button to confirm the destination folder choice
Step 10. Press the "Export" button
The file containing the export data will be saved in the specified folder.
Step 11. Verify that the export was successful
The favorites file is now ready to be imported into Safari.
If you want to transfer your favorites from one computer to another, before physically accessing the second machine, transfer the relevant file to a USB stick or to a cloud service account (such as iCloud or Google Drive)
Advice
- Keep a backup copy of your favorites in HTML format at hand; so, in case they are lost, you can restore them with peace of mind.
- You can add a new favorite to the Safari library using the hotkey combination ⌘ Command + D.
- To have the bookmarks of a browser other than Safari on mobile devices, export them in HTML format, transfer the resulting file to a desktop computer, then import them into Safari and complete the procedure by synchronizing the mobile device with the iCloud account.
