What Are Tor Browser Bookmarks and Why Import Them
Tor Browser stores bookmarks in a profile folder on your device, separate from standard Firefox. Bookmarks let you quickly access .onion sites and regular web addresses without typing URLs each time. Importing bookmarks is useful when you reinstall Tor Browser, switch devices, or want to restore a backup. Unlike syncing across browsers, Tor Browser bookmarks stay local—they don't sync to the cloud or other devices automatically. This local-only approach keeps your browsing history and saved links confined to your machine, which aligns with Tor's privacy model. Understanding where bookmarks live and how to move them helps prevent accidental data loss and ensures you can recover them if needed.
Locating Your Tor Browser Bookmarks File
Tor Browser bookmarks are stored in a file called places.sqlite within your profile folder. The location varies by operating system:
**Windows:** C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Tor Browser\Browser\profile.default\places.sqlite
**macOS:** ~/Library/Application Support/Tor Browser/Browser/profile.default/places.sqlite
**Linux:** ~/.local/share/Tor Browser/Browser/profile.default/places.sqlite
If you've exported bookmarks from another browser (Firefox, Chrome, etc.), you'll typically have an HTML file. Tor Browser can import from HTML bookmark exports. To find your profile folder quickly, open Tor Browser, type about:support in the address bar, and look for the Profile Folder path. Click the button to open it directly. This saves time hunting through hidden folders manually.
Importing Bookmarks from an HTML File
If you have bookmarks saved as an HTML file from Firefox or another browser, follow these steps:
1. Open Tor Browser and click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right.
2. Select Bookmarks, then Manage Bookmarks (or press Ctrl+Shift+B on Windows/Linux, Cmd+Shift+B on macOS).
3. In the Bookmarks Manager window, click the menu icon again and select Import and Backup.
4. Choose Restore from File.
5. Navigate to your HTML bookmark file and select it.
6. Tor Browser will import all bookmarks into the appropriate folders.
The import process reads the HTML structure and recreates your folder hierarchy. Bookmarks appear under the Bookmarks Toolbar or Unsorted Bookmarks folder depending on how they were originally organized. If the import doesn't show results immediately, close and reopen Tor Browser to refresh the display.
Restoring Bookmarks from a Backup File
If you previously backed up your Tor Browser profile, you can restore the entire bookmarks database. This method is faster than importing HTML if you have a complete backup:
1. Locate your backup copy of the places.sqlite file.
2. Close Tor Browser completely.
3. Navigate to your profile folder (see Locating Your Tor Browser Bookmarks File section).
4. Rename the current places.sqlite file to places.sqlite.old as a safety measure.
5. Copy your backup places.sqlite file into the profile folder.
6. Restart Tor Browser.
Bookmarks should now appear as they were when you created the backup. Keeping regular backups of your places.sqlite file prevents bookmark loss if your device crashes or Tor Browser becomes corrupted. Store backups on an external drive or encrypted storage separate from your main device.
Common Issues: Bookmarks Gone or Not Appearing
If bookmarks don't appear after import or have disappeared:
**Bookmarks in wrong folder:** Check Unsorted Bookmarks or the Bookmarks Toolbar. Use the search function in Bookmarks Manager to locate them.
**Import didn't work:** Verify the HTML file is valid by opening it in a text editor. Look for proper HTML structure with
Security Considerations When Managing Bookmarks
Bookmarks can reveal your browsing patterns, so handle them carefully:
**Don't sync bookmarks to cloud services:** Tor Browser intentionally keeps bookmarks local. Syncing them to Firefox Sync, Google Drive, or similar services defeats the privacy benefit.
**Protect backup files:** If you back up places.sqlite, store it in an encrypted container or on an encrypted external drive. An unencrypted backup file exposes your browsing history to anyone with device access.
**Use separate profiles for different purposes:** Consider maintaining distinct Tor Browser profiles for different activities. Each profile has its own bookmarks folder, preventing cross-contamination of browsing contexts.
**Clear bookmarks before sharing devices:** If you share a computer, remove sensitive bookmarks before another user accesses Tor Browser. Use the Bookmarks Manager to delete individual bookmarks or entire folders.
**Combine with VPN if needed:** While Tor provides anonymity, adding a VPN before connecting to Tor can provide additional privacy layers in specific threat models, though this is not necessary for most users.
Backing Up Your Bookmarks for Future Use
Regular backups prevent bookmark loss. Two methods exist:
**HTML export:** Open Bookmarks Manager, click the menu, select Import and Backup, then Backup. Tor Browser creates a dated HTML file. Store this file in a secure location. HTML exports are portable and can be imported into other browsers if needed.
**Direct file backup:** Copy your places.sqlite file to an external drive or encrypted storage. This preserves the exact database state and is faster to restore than HTML import.
**Automated backups:** Set up a scheduled backup task on your operating system to copy your profile folder weekly or monthly. Windows users can use Task Scheduler; macOS and Linux users can use cron jobs.
Test your backups occasionally by attempting a restore on a test machine or profile. A backup that can't be restored is useless. Label backups with dates so you know which version to use if multiple exist.
Frequently asked questions
Can I import bookmarks from Chrome or Edge into Tor Browser?
Yes, but you must first export them as HTML. Open Chrome or Edge, access Bookmarks Manager, and export as HTML. Then use Tor Browser's Import and Backup feature to import the HTML file. Tor Browser doesn't directly read Chrome or Edge bookmark formats, so HTML conversion is necessary.
Where does Tor Browser store bookmarks on my computer?
Bookmarks are stored in places.sqlite inside your profile folder. On Windows, this is typically C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Tor Browser\Browser\profile.default\. On macOS and Linux, check your home directory under .local/share or Library/Application Support. Use about:support in Tor Browser to find the exact path.
What happens to bookmarks if I uninstall Tor Browser?
Uninstalling Tor Browser typically removes the profile folder and all bookmarks unless you backed them up separately. Always export or copy your places.sqlite file before uninstalling. If you reinstall Tor Browser, it creates a new empty profile with no previous bookmarks.
Can I sync bookmarks across multiple devices using Tor Browser?
No. Tor Browser doesn't offer built-in sync. Bookmarks remain local to each device. To use the same bookmarks on multiple machines, manually export as HTML and import on each device, or copy your profile folder to a portable drive and use it on different computers.
Is it safe to back up my bookmarks to cloud storage?
Not recommended. Backing up bookmarks to cloud services like Google Drive or Dropbox exposes your browsing history to those providers and potentially to attackers. Keep backups on encrypted local storage or external drives you control directly.
