Tor Browser Import Bookmarks: A Step-by-Step Guide

What You Get

Tor Browser Import Bookmarks: A Step-by-Step Guide

How to Import Bookmarks into Tor Browser

Prepare the bookmark file

Locate the bookmarks file you wish to import. Tor Browser accepts HTML or JSON formats for bookmark imports¹. If exporting from another browser, save the file with a recognisable name such as bookmarks.html to a location like your desktop¹. Ensure the file is not corrupted and contains valid bookmark data before proceeding.

Open Tor Browser and access the bookmarks menu

Launch Tor Browser and wait for it to establish a connection to the Tor network. Click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top-right corner, then select "Bookmarks" followed by "Show All Bookmarks" or press Ctrl+Shift+B (Cmd+Shift+B on macOS). This opens the Library window where bookmark management options are available¹.

Navigate to the import function

In the Library window, click "Import and Backup" at the top of the bookmarks list. A dropdown menu will appear with options including "Import Bookmarks from HTML" and "Restore" for JSON files¹. Select the appropriate option based on your file format: HTML for standard exports or JSON for Tor Browser backup files.

Select and import the file

A file browser dialogue will open. Navigate to the location where you saved your bookmark file, select it, and click "Open". The import process begins immediately and typically completes within 2–5 seconds for files containing up to several hundred bookmarks. Larger files may take longer depending on system performance.

Verify imported bookmarks

After import, check the Bookmarks Menu directory where imported bookmarks are placed by default¹. Open the menu icon, select "Bookmarks", and expand "Bookmarks Menu" to see the imported entries. If importing from Firefox, verify that only bookmarks have been transferred and no preferences or settings have been imported, as this can create conflicts and compromise privacy⁴.

Organise and back up

Arrange imported bookmarks into folders if needed using the Library window. To create a backup of your current bookmarks, return to "Import and Backup" and select "Backup" to save a JSON file with a timestamped filename¹. Automatic backups are also stored in the bookmarkbackups subdirectory within the profile.default folder².

Risks, Limitations, and Guarantees

Importing bookmarks into Tor Browser involves several risks and limitations that users should carefully consider. The places.sqlite database file, located in the profile.default folder, is essential for preserving bookmark integrity³. If this file is corrupted or overwritten during the import process, users may lose their existing bookmarks. It is advisable to back up bookmarks prior to any import action to prevent data loss.

When importing bookmarks from other browsers, particularly Firefox, there is a risk of importing preferences that could conflict with Tor Browser’s settings. Such conflicts may compromise the user's privacy and anonymity, given that Tor Browser incorporates specific privacy patches that differ from standard Firefox configurations⁴. This risk is particularly relevant for users who depend on Tor for secure and private browsing.

For Android users, a significant limitation exists due to the absence of a reliable method for exporting and importing bookmarks, which restricts their access to the same functionalities available on desktop versions¹.

To address these risks, users can utilise the built-in backup feature that automatically saves bookmarks in the bookmarkbackups subdirectory². In the event of issues arising from an import, bookmarks can be restored from these backup files. It is crucial to verify the accuracy and completeness of imported bookmarks by checking the Bookmarks Menu directory after the import process.