How to back up and restore your Safari bookmarks, reading list, and browser data on macOS

Backup & Storage KB-521

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: How to back up and restore your Safari bookmarks, reading list, and browser data on macOS. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

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Common Causes

Safari stores your bookmarks, Reading List, and browsing preferences in a way that makes them easy to back up and restore across your Apple devices. Whether you're switching to a new Mac, recovering from a system issue, or simply want a safety net before making changes, macOS gives you several reliable methods to protect your browser data. This guide walks you through backing up and restoring Safari data using iCloud, Time Machine, and manual export.

Quick Fix: Back Up Safari Using iCloud

If you only use Safari on Apple devices, iCloud is the simplest way to keep your bookmarks and Reading List synchronised automatically.

Click the Apple menu and select System Settings.
Click your Apple ID at the top of the sidebar, then select iCloud.
Click Show More Apps (or See All) and ensure Safari is toggled on.
On your other Apple devices, repeat the same steps with the same Apple ID signed in.

Your bookmarks and Reading List will sync across devices whenever they're connected to the internet.

Tip: iCloud sync keeps your data current but is not a true backup. For point-in-time recovery, use Time Machine or a manual export as well.

Detailed Instructions

Method 1: Back Up Safari Data Using Time Machine

Time Machine captures your entire user library, including Safari's internal files, so you can restore earlier versions if something goes wrong.

Connect an external drive that has been configured for Time Machine.
Click the Time Machine icon in the menu bar and select Back Up Now. If the icon isn't visible, open System Settings > General > Time Machine and ensure the menu bar icon is enabled.
Wait for the backup to complete. The first backup may take some time.
To restore later, open Finder, navigate to ~/Library/Safari/, enter Time Machine, and select a previous date to recover your bookmarks, Reading List, and other Safari files.

Important: When restoring Safari files manually, quit Safari first. Replacing files while Safari is running can corrupt your profile.

Method 2: Manually Export Safari Bookmarks as an HTML File

An HTML export creates a portable file you can store anywhere — ideal for archiving or importing into another browser.

Open Safari and choose File > Export > Export Bookmarks from the menu bar.
Choose a location (such as an external drive or cloud folder), name the file, and click Save.
Store the resulting .html file somewhere safe, such as an external SSD or your preferred cloud storage.

Method 3: Restore Bookmarks from an HTML File

Open Safari.
Choose File > Import From > Bookmarks HTML File.
Select the .html file you previously exported and click Import.
Your bookmarks will appear in a new folder within the bookmarks sidebar. You can drag them into your preferred location.

Method 4: Restore Safari Data from a Time Machine Backup

Quit Safari completely.
Open Finder and press Shift + Command + . to reveal hidden files.
Navigate to ~/Library/Safari/.
Click the Time Machine icon in the menu bar and choose Enter Time Machine.
Use the timeline on the right to select a date when your bookmarks were intact.
Select the files you wish to restore (commonly Bookmarks.plist and the ReadingListArchives folder) and click Restore.
Relaunch Safari and verify your bookmarks and Reading List have returned.

Tip: If Safari behaves oddly after restoring files, sign out of iCloud and back in, or restart your Mac to clear cached preferences.

Method 5: Sync Safari Across Devices with iCloud (Restore on a New Mac)

On your new Mac, sign in with the same Apple ID used on your previous device.
Open System Settings > Apple ID > iCloud and enable Safari.
Open Safari and wait a few minutes for your bookmarks, Reading List, and open tabs to download.

Troubleshooting

Bookmarks Not Syncing via iCloud

Confirm you're signed in to the same Apple ID on all devices.
Check that Safari is toggled on under iCloud settings.
Ensure each device is connected to the internet.
Restart your Mac, iPhone, or iPad to refresh the sync process.

Time Machine Cannot Find Safari Files

Make sure hidden files are visible by pressing Shift + Command + . in Finder.
Confirm the backup date you're selecting actually contains a backup of your user library.
Try restoring individual files such as Bookmarks.plist rather than the entire Safari folder.

Imported Bookmarks Appear in the Wrong Folder

Open Safari and click Bookmarks > Show Bookmarks (or press Option + Command + B).
Drag the imported items into your preferred bookmarks folder.

Reading List Is Missing After Restore

Reading List items are stored locally and synced via iCloud. Confirm iCloud sync is enabled.
If items remain missing, restore the Bookmarks.plist file from Time Machine as described above.

How to backup photos to external drive

If your Safari data is still missing after trying these steps, our support team can help you investigate further. Please open a ticket through the 220 support portal and include details about your macOS version and backup method used.

Still Having Issues?

Need more help? If the issue persists after trying these steps, please open a support ticket and our team will assist you.

💻 Open a Ticket