How to Restore Bookmarks in Chrome Step-by-Step?

We rely on Chrome bookmarks every day. They hold our work links, research, tools, reading lists, and everything important. So, when they disappear after an update, the reinstalling process can be frustrating.

But can you restore bookmarks in Chrome? I get a lot of such queries, and it is obvious because Chrome is dominating the browser market with around 71% share. And the short answer is yes.

Starting with quick checks, I will explain the right recovery path to recover deleted bookmarks in Chrome. Follow the order, avoid risky moves, and get your bookmarks back safely.

Quick Look: How to Restore Deleted Bookmarks in Chrome?

• Try to undo immediately when you accidentally delete a bookmark.

• Google Sync is the easiest recovery path if it was enabled before bookmarks disappeared.
  
• Local backup files like Bookmarks.bak are often the real lifesaver.
  
• Importing bookmarks from an HTML file is the cleanest way to restore or move bookmarks across devices.
  
• A data recovery software can help you recover the local backup files of your Chrome bookmarks.
  
• Chrome history can help rebuild bookmarks when files are gone, but you visited them recently.

Recover Bookmarks Chrome: Quick Checks

Before you attempt advanced fixes to restore bookmarks Chrome, pause and go through these checks. These steps are fast, safe, and surprisingly effective.

Use the Instant Undo Option (if deletion just happened):

If you deleted a bookmark a few seconds ago, Chrome provides a brief recovery window. Here’s what to do:

• Open Bookmark Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + O on Windows and Option + Cmd + B on Mac.
• Now, just press Ctrl/Cmd + Z to undo your actions.

This only works in the same session. So, if you close Chrome, you will lose this option.

Check the Google Account and Profile:

Make sure you are signed into the same Google account and Chrome profile you used earlier. This is where most people mess up. They think bookmarks vanished, but you are simply logged into a different account or a fresh profile.

If your bookmarks are still lost, stop using Chrome immediately and start the recovery process. The more you browse, the higher the chance those files get overwritten.

How Do I Restore Bookmarks in Chrome? 

Your recovery path depends on how the bookmarks disappeared. To restore bookmarks on Chrome, start with the first simple method and go advanced only if needed. 

This is the fastest and cleanest fix if the sync was on before the deletion. Here’s how to check and recover if your bookmarks suddenly disappeared:

• Open Chrome and sign in with the correct Google account.

• Go to Settings > You and Google > Sync and Google services.

  

• Click on Manage what you sync.

  

• Here, make sure Bookmarks are turned on.

  

Now, wait a few minutes because sync can take time. Chrome often merges cloud bookmarks back into your browser automatically. However, if sync was off before deletion, this method will not restore anything.

Google Chrome keeps a local backup of your bookmarks. This is your best offline recovery option. It stores two key files: the ‘Bookmarks’ file for current data and the ‘Bookmarks.bak’ file for the last backup.

Here’s how to recover deleted bookmarks in Chrome using a backup file:

• Close Chrome completely on your device.
• On Windows: Go to 
  C:/Users/UserName/AppData/Local/Google/Chrome/User Data (replace username with the actual name)

  

• On Mac: Click on Go > Go to Folder, and type ‘~/Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome/Default’. If you have multiple profiles, replace Default with Profile 1, Profile 2, etc.

  

• Now inside the folder:
  • Rename the ‘Bookmarks’ file to something like ‘Bookmarks.old’.
  • And, rename the ‘Bookmarks.bak’ file to ‘Bookmarks’.

  

Finally, just open Chrome again, and your bookmarks should be restored. If the Bookmarks.bak file is missing on your device, move to the next method.

I use this method only when the local bookmarks file has been deleted or overwritten. Recovering overwritten files works when the deletion was recent, and the disk has not been heavily used since. 

So, if you want to recover Chrome bookmarks without backup:

• Stop using the drive where Chrome is installed. 

• Then, download a trusted recovery software like datarecovee, Disk Drill and EaseUS that supports deep scan and preview.

• Search specifically for file names Bookmarks or Bookmarks.bak. 

  

• If you find the files, recover them to a safe location. 

  

Once recovered, restore them using the backup method above, and Chrome will restore your bookmarks. 

If bookmarks are gone, but you remember visiting the pages, you can rebuild them. Here’s what you can do:

• Open chrome://history.

• Here, search for the site or page name.

  

• Open the page and bookmark it again.

  

That’s how simple it is if you have your history intact. You can use date filters if you remember when you visited the site. This Restore Bookmarks Chrome method takes time, but it works when backup files are unrecoverable.

Sometimes Chrome updates wipe the local data of your device, but some traces remain deep down in the system. So, if none of the above fixes work for you, here’s another Restore Bookmarks Chrome method you can try:

• Open Command Prompt as an administrator.

  

• Now, run: ‘ipconfig /displaydns’.

  

• This will show you a list of recently visited websites, review them, and re-bookmark important ones manually.

This method does not restore bookmarks automatically, but it helps in rebuilding critical links after an update or reinstall.

How Do I Restore Chrome Bookmarks by Importing Bookmarks & Settings?

This is a bonus method if you already have a backup, you exported bookmarks earlier as an HTML file, or want to move bookmarks from another browser or device. It is safe, reversible, and works even when sync fails.

Here’s how to import bookmarks into Chrome:

• Open Google Chrome.

• Go to Menu > Bookmarks and lists > Bookmark Manager.

  

• Click on the three-dot menu in Bookmark Manager.

• Next, select the Import bookmarks option.

  

• Now, just choose your exported HTML file.

Chrome will add these bookmarks under Imported or directly into the Bookmark bar. Chrome also supports direct imports from another browser. Just go to Menu > Bookmarks and lists > Import bookmarks and settings > Select the file of another installed browser.

This method is ideal for migrations and fresh setups. Nothing gets overwritten in the process until you manually delete items.

Why Did My Chrome Bookmarks Disappear?

Chrome does not randomly erase bookmarks. There is always a trigger, and knowing the cause is important to prevent repeat losses. Let’s take a look at some of the most common reasons:

• Accidental Deletion: Bookmark Manager has no confirmation prompt. One wrong click can wipe folders instantly.
  
• Sync Conflicts: If sync was paused, failed, or re-enabled late, Chrome may overwrite local bookmarks with an empty cloud version.
  
• Corrupt Bookmarks File: A crash can sometimes corrupt the Bookmarks file, forcing Chrome to show no bookmarks.
  
• Reinstallation: Chrome may point to a new profile folder after reinstalling or switching system users.

Once you identify the cause, choosing the right recovery method becomes simple.

How Do I Avoid Losing Chrome Bookmarks Again?

Before closing this topic, I want to tell you about some simple habits that just take minutes and can save you a lot of time in the future:

• Keep Chrome sync and confirm that it is active after updates or new logins.
  
• Automate a weekly backup of the Bookmarks file or full profile folder.
  
• Avoid aggressive cleanup tools and exclude the Chrome profile folder from automated scans.
  
• Organize your bookmarks clearly because clean folders reduce the chances of accidental deletion.

Just follow them regularly, and you won’t have to lose any Chrome bookmarks in the future.

Final Thoughts

Chrome bookmarks are small files but high-impact data. Most bookmark losses are reversible if you act fast and follow the right path. So, just stay calm and follow the right order to restore bookmarks in Chrome.

Start with sync and profiles, then backups, history, and use recovery software as your final weapon. This will save time, avoid data overwrite, and give you the highest success rate.

Sources:

• Recover Deleted Bookmarks in Chrome – Google Chrome Help
• Get your bookmarks, passwords, and more on all your devices – Google Chrome Help
• Import Chrome bookmarks & settings – Google Chrome Help