Transfer Safari bookmarks to new MacBook Pro

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Level 3

923 points

Transfer Safari bookmarks to new MacBook Pro

I just got a new MB Pro yesterday and would like to transfer my bookmarks from my older SR MB. So I "exported" them to a jump drive and then transferred that file "Safari Bookmarks.html" to my new desktop. I then went into Safari and tried the "import" option. However, I get an message that says "can not import bookmarks. Unable to read any bookmarks in Safari Bookmarks.html.

I don't know why this process can't be simpler? I've had the same problems with Windows Bookmarks (Favorites) for years now. I did manage to drag the entire Safari Bookmarks folder on to the Bookmarks Bar, but all these bookmarks are in sub-folders under "Safari Bookmarks.html".

MacBook 3.1 S.R. Intel Core 2 Duo 2.2GHz 4GB, Mac OS X (10.6), 21.5 iMac-IT 8GB-IP 3Gs 32GB-Nano 16GB

Posted on Apr 6, 2010 1:05 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Niel

Level 10

726,749 points

Dec 15, 2010 8:07 AM in response to Macaby

Move the file ~/Library/Safari/Bookmarks.plist over in the Finder, where ~ is the item in the Finder's sidebar with the house icon.

(51139)

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Answer 2

Macaby Author

Level 3

923 points

Dec 15, 2010 8:07 AM in response to Niel

Niel wrote:
Move the file ~/Library/Safari/Bookmarks.plist over in the Finder, where ~ is the item in the Finder's sidebar with the house icon.

First of all, when I export my bookmarks, the produced is called "safari bookmarks.html". Moving this file as per the about directions did not make Safari use the new bookmark list. I then tried renaming the file to bookmarks.PLIST and that didn't help either. I must be doing something wrong. Is it necessary to reboot for the change to take effect?

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Answer 3

Niel

Level 10

726,749 points

Dec 15, 2010 8:07 AM in response to Macaby

First of all, when I export my bookmarks, the produced is called "safari bookmarks.html".

Don't export them. Just drag the file over in the Finder without doing anything in Safari.

Is it necessary to reboot for the change to take effect?

No, but Safari shouldn't be running on the new computer while this is being done.

(51144)

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Answer 4

Macaby Author

Level 3

923 points

Dec 15, 2010 8:07 AM in response to Niel

Thanks, that did the trick. I don't get what the "export" option is about, but I no longer care.

Is there anyway to slide all my mail folders over to the new computer using the same method?

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Answer 5

Dec 15, 2010 8:08 AM in response to Macaby

Not sure if this is the same thing I would need to do but I really didn't know where I could post this.
I would like to transfer my firefox bookmarks into my safari.

If this is the correct procedure would you please repeat it in one post.
Thank you.

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