Exporting your Safari bookmarks may seem like a complicated task, but with the right tools it's a simple and secure process. Whether you want back up, change browsers, or simply transfer your favorite sites to another deviceHaving a clear guide is essential to avoid mistakes and losses. Today we will see How to export Safari bookmarks on Mac.
In this definitive guide, we explain step by step how to export your bookmarks from Safari on Mac, iPhone, and PC. We show you all the available methods, from the simplest to the most comprehensive, and give you useful tips to make the process quick and hassle-free.
Why export your Safari bookmarks?
Export Safari bookmarks It is not only useful if you are going to change browsers, but also if you want to have a backup, transfer them to another computer, or simply sync them across all your Apple devices (Mac, iPhone, iPad, etc.). It's also essential if you have stored information that you absolutely don't want to lose.
The importance of iCloud for syncing and exporting bookmarks
If you have multiple Apple devices (Mac, iPhone, iPad), sync Safari using iCloud It is the fastest and most convenient way to keep all your bookmarks always up to date.. You just need to have the same Apple account and make sure Safari is enabled in Settings > iCloud. Once you've done this, any changes will be automatically reflected on all your devices within seconds. This also makes it easier to export later from your Mac., since all the favorites will be there.
Classic Method: Export Safari Bookmarks from a Mac in HTML Format
The easiest and most universal way to export your Safari bookmarks is to create an HTML file with all your favoritesThis file is compatible with virtually any browser and serves as a backup. The steps are very simple:
- Open Safari on your Mac (make sure you have all your bookmarks synced if you use iCloud).
- In the top menu, go to File > Export > Bookmarks.
- Choose the destination folder and press SaveThe file (usually called Safari Bookmarks.html) will contain all your bookmarks.
With that file you can import your bookmarks to another Mac, or to browsers like Chrome and Firefox following the import steps for each one, which are usually found in the Bookmark Manager options. If you want to learn how to do it in other browsers, you might be interested in visiting this article on How to export Chrome bookmarks on Mac.
How to import Safari bookmarks into another browser?
If you're moving from Safari to Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or any other browser, the process is usually as simple as:
- Open your new browser and look for the option to import bookmarks or favorites.
- Choose import from HTML file and choose the file previously exported from Safari.
Each browser has its own menus, but you will usually find the option in the bookmarking or favorites tools. For example, Chrome has it in Bookmarks > Import bookmarks and settings and Firefox in the Bookmark Manager.
Sync Safari bookmarks across multiple Apple devices with iCloud
With iCloud, All Apple devices can share and update bookmarks automatically. Make sure you meet these requirements:
- Have the same Apple account on all devices.
- Activate the Safari option in Settings> iCloud both on iPhone/iPad and Mac.
Once done, you don't have to do anything else: Any bookmarks you add or remove will appear on your other Apple devices within seconds or minutes, depending on your connection. This also applies to history and other Safari data..
Export Safari bookmarks from iPhone or iPad
On iOS, direct bookmark export isn't as easy as it is on Mac, but you have several workarounds:
Using iCloud sync on a Mac
The official and easiest way is Sync iPhone/iPad bookmarks to iCloud and then export them from Safari on a MacThis way, all your iPhone bookmarks will be mirrored on your Mac, and from there you can export the HTML file as we saw earlier.
Other methods: manual copying and third-party apps
If you just want copy one or more specific bookmarks on iOS, you can do this directly from Safari by holding down the bookmark, selecting the copy option, and pasting it wherever you need (note, email, another browser, etc.).
In addition, there are Specific applications and software that allow you to export bookmarks or browsing history from iOS devices to a computer, even partially. Tools like Coolmuster iOS Assistant or allow:
- Connect your iPhone/iPad to your PC or Mac using a USB cable.
- Scan the data and select only the bookmarks you want to export.
- Export the result in HTML, CSV or other supported formats.
This method is useful for those looking for a Selective copy, recover deleted bookmarks, or back up outside of iCloud.
Export Safari bookmarks to Windows and sync them with browsers on PC
If you have a Windows PC and want to take your Safari bookmarks there, you can use the official tool . The steps are:
- Download and install iCloud for Windows from the Apple website.
- Sign in with your Apple account.
- Check the box Bookmarks and click on Options to choose the browser you want to sync them on (Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox).
- press Apply and wait for the synchronization to complete.
- In Chrome and Firefox, you may need to install an additional iCloud extension to manage your bookmarks.
Safari bookmarks will automatically appear in your chosen browser. To export them to a file, simply use the browser's bookmark export feature on Windows.
Export Safari bookmarks from older versions of iOS/macOS
If your device is somewhat outdated (for example, running iOS 10, macOS Sierra 10.12.5 or lower), you should know that Apple has changed the minimum requirements for syncing bookmarks via iCloud.Bookmark syncing or access to bookmarks on iCloud.com is no longer supported from those versions; only from iOS 11 or macOS Sierra 10.12.6 onwards.
In these cases, you can continue using manual methods to copy or export bookmarks:
- On an older Mac: Open Safari and use the Export Bookmarks as HTML feature (File > Export > Bookmarks).
- On iOS: Manually copy bookmarks or update to a compatible version if possible.
If your case is particularly old and you have software or hardware limitations, you can look for third-party tools compatible with your version or export bookmarks individually.
Advanced Solutions: Selective Export, Recovery, and Management of Safari Bookmarks
Sometimes you need more than just an export: Maybe you want to select only certain favorites, export your browsing history, or even recover deleted bookmarks. That's where apps like:
- Coolmuster iOS Assistant: allows you to selectively export bookmarks, back up all Safari content, and restore it if necessary.
- iPhone Data Recovery: ideal for rescuing deleted bookmarks or saving full backups.
These programs detect your iOS device, allow you to preview bookmarks, and export them to any folder on your computer, both in HTML and other formats. A solution for those looking for full control and don't mind installing extra software..
Case studies and additional recommendations
- Before making any major changes, such as switching to another browser or cleaning your Mac, always export your bookmarks to avoid surprises.
- On shared devices (e.g. work computers): Exporting your favorites to an HTML file allows you to take them back to your personal computer later.
- If you are a user of several operating systems simultaneously, HTML format is the most universal and compatible.
- For users who update frequently, Constant synchronization with iCloud is the best guarantee of not losing anything.
There are multiple ways to export Safari bookmarks depending on your situation and device. Whether using the native feature on Mac, using syncing via Safari, or using external applications for advanced management, you have options to cover all needs. The key is to choose the method that best suits your situation: if you only want a copy, if you need to transfer them to another browser, if you want to transfer bookmarks from iPhone to a PC, or if you're looking for a selective export.
