Where Tor Browser Stores Bookmarks
Tor Browser bookmarks are stored in a profile folder specific to your operating system. On Linux, the path is typically ~/.tor-browser/profile.default/bookmarkbackups or within the places.sqlite database. On Windows, look in %APPDATA%\Tor Browser\profile.default. On macOS, check ~/Library/Application Support/Tor Browser/profile.default. The bookmarks file itself is usually places.sqlite, a SQLite database that stores all bookmark data. Unlike Firefox, Tor Browser doesn't sync bookmarks to any cloud service by default, so they exist only on your local machine. This isolation improves privacy but means you're responsible for backups. If you reinstall Tor Browser or switch devices, your bookmarks won't transfer automatically.
How to Backup Your Tor Browser Bookmarks
Backing up bookmarks protects against accidental loss or system failures. The easiest method is to export bookmarks directly from Tor Browser: open the browser, click the menu icon (three horizontal lines), select Bookmarks, then choose Export Bookmarks. This creates an HTML file you can store safely offline. Alternatively, locate your profile folder manually and copy the places.sqlite file to an external drive or encrypted storage. For extra security, use an encrypted container or password manager like Bitwarden to store sensitive bookmark URLs. Create backups regularly, especially after adding new .onion addresses. Store backup files in multiple locations—an external drive, encrypted USB, or offline storage. Never store backups on cloud services unless they're encrypted client-side first.
Exporting and Importing Bookmarks
To export bookmarks, use Tor Browser's built-in export feature: Menu > Bookmarks > Manage Bookmarks > Import and Backup > Export Bookmarks to HTML. Save the file with a descriptive name and timestamp. To import bookmarks into a fresh Tor Browser installation, open the same menu path and select Import Bookmarks from HTML. Choose your backup file and confirm. You can also import bookmarks from other browsers, though this requires exporting them as HTML first. When importing, Tor Browser creates a new folder called 'Imported' to organize transferred bookmarks. If you're moving between devices, export on the old device, transfer the HTML file securely (encrypted email, USB drive, or secure file transfer), then import on the new device. Test imports on a secondary profile first to ensure the process works before relying on it.
Why Bookmarks Disappear and How to Recover Them
Bookmarks vanish for several reasons: browser crashes, corrupted profile folders, accidental deletion, or incomplete shutdown. If Tor Browser crashes during operation, the places.sqlite database may become corrupted, causing bookmarks to revert to an earlier state or disappear entirely. Tor Browser creates automatic backups in the bookmarkbackups folder—check there first. Open your profile directory and look for files named bookmarks-YYYY-MM-DD.json. These are timestamped snapshots; restore the most recent one by renaming it to bookmarks.json and restarting Tor Browser. If automatic backups don't exist, check your system's file recovery tools or backup software. To prevent future loss, export bookmarks weekly and store them offline. Avoid force-closing Tor Browser; use the proper exit procedure. Keep your system updated and run regular malware scans, as infections can corrupt browser data.
Bookmark File Location and Security Considerations
The bookmarks file (places.sqlite) contains metadata about every URL you've visited and bookmarked in Tor Browser. While Tor Browser itself routes traffic through the Tor network, the local bookmarks database is stored unencrypted on your disk. This means someone with physical access to your device can read your bookmarks. To mitigate this risk, encrypt your entire drive using full-disk encryption (LUKS on Linux, BitLocker on Windows, FileVault on macOS). Store sensitive bookmark URLs in a password manager with encryption rather than relying on browser bookmarks alone. If you're concerned about local forensics, consider using Tails, which runs entirely in RAM and leaves no persistent bookmarks unless you explicitly save them to an encrypted partition. Never bookmark sensitive .onion addresses on a shared or public computer. Regularly review your bookmarks and delete entries you no longer need.
Common Mistakes and Best Practices
Mistake 1: Storing bookmarks only in Tor Browser without backups. If the profile folder corrupts, you lose everything. Solution: Export bookmarks monthly. Mistake 2: Bookmarking sensitive URLs without encryption. Anyone accessing your device sees your history. Solution: Use a password manager or encrypted notes app instead. Mistake 3: Syncing bookmarks to cloud storage unencrypted. This defeats Tor's privacy model. Solution: Keep bookmarks local or encrypt before uploading. Mistake 4: Ignoring profile backups. Tor Browser doesn't auto-sync profiles across devices. Solution: Manually export before switching computers. Best practice: Treat bookmarks as temporary references, not permanent records. Verify .onion addresses each time you visit them, as URLs can change or be spoofed. Use bookmarks for convenience, not security. Combine bookmarks with a separate, encrypted list of important addresses stored offline.
Conclusion
Tor Browser bookmarks are stored locally in your profile folder and require manual backup to prevent loss. Export bookmarks regularly as HTML files and store them in encrypted, offline locations. If bookmarks disappear, check the automatic backups folder first. Understand that local bookmark files are unencrypted on disk, so use full-disk encryption and consider password managers for sensitive URLs. Avoid common mistakes like relying solely on browser storage or syncing to unencrypted cloud services. Treat bookmarks as convenience tools, not security measures, and verify addresses independently each time you use them.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Tor Browser bookmarks folder located?
On Linux: ~/.tor-browser/profile.default. On Windows: %APPDATA%\Tor Browser\profile.default. On macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Tor Browser/profile.default. Bookmarks are stored in the places.sqlite database file within this folder.
How do I backup my Tor Browser bookmarks?
Use Tor Browser's export feature: Menu > Bookmarks > Manage Bookmarks > Import and Backup > Export Bookmarks to HTML. Save the file to an external drive or encrypted storage. Alternatively, copy the places.sqlite file directly from your profile folder.
What should I do if my Tor Browser bookmarks disappeared?
Check the bookmarkbackups folder in your profile directory for timestamped backup files. Restore the most recent one by renaming it and restarting Tor Browser. If no backups exist, use system file recovery tools. Always maintain regular manual backups to prevent permanent loss.
Are Tor Browser bookmarks encrypted?
Bookmarks are stored unencrypted in the places.sqlite file on your local disk. Use full-disk encryption to protect them from physical access. For sensitive URLs, use a password manager instead of browser bookmarks.
Can I sync Tor Browser bookmarks across devices?
No, Tor Browser doesn't sync bookmarks automatically. Export bookmarks as HTML on one device, transfer the file securely to another, and import them manually. Never sync to unencrypted cloud services.
