How to backup your web browser settings/profiles.

Owned by Dylan Ashton
Nov 04, 2024
5 min read

Backing up your web browser settings ensures that your bookmarks, extensions, and preferences are saved and can be restored if needed. This guide covers the steps for Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge (Windows), and Safari (MacOS).

Method 1. Online account sync

Windows 10: Backing Up Browser Settings

1. Google Chrome

Step 1: Sign in to Chrome

  1. Open Google Chrome.

  2. Click on your profile icon in the upper-right corner and select Turn on sync if it’s not already enabled.

  3. Sign in with your Google account to sync bookmarks, extensions, passwords, history, and settings.

Step 2: Verify Sync Settings

  1. Go to Settings by clicking the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner and selecting Settings.

  2. Under You and Google, click Sync and Google services.

  3. Ensure that Sync is on and check that all items you want to back up (Bookmarks, History, Passwords, etc.) are selected.

Step 3: Check Backup

  1. You can verify your synced data by logging in to your Google account on any device and checking Chrome Sync settings.

2. Mozilla Firefox

Step 1: Sign in to Firefox

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox.

  2. Click the Menu icon (three horizontal lines) and select Sign in to Sync.

  3. Sign in with your Firefox account to sync bookmarks, history, passwords, add-ons, and preferences.

Step 2: Verify Sync Settings

  1. Go to Settings by clicking the menu icon and selecting Settings.

  2. Under Firefox Account, ensure Sync is enabled and that the items you want to back up (Bookmarks, History, Open Tabs, etc.) are selected.

Step 3: Check Backup

  1. Log in to your Firefox account on any device to verify that your data is backed up in Firefox Sync.

3. Microsoft Edge

Step 1: Sign in to Edge

  1. Open Microsoft Edge.

  2. Click the Profile icon in the upper-right corner and select Sign in if you aren’t already signed in.

  3. Use your Microsoft account to sync bookmarks, history, passwords, extensions, and settings.

Step 2: Verify Sync Settings

  1. Go to Settings by clicking the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner and selecting Settings.

  2. Under Profiles > Sync, ensure Sync is turned on, and all desired items (Favorites, Passwords, History, etc.) are selected.

Step 3: Check Backup

  1. You can verify your synced data by logging in to your Microsoft account on any device and checking Edge Sync settings.

MacOS: Backing Up Browser Settings

1. Google Chrome

Step 1: Sign in to Chrome

  1. Open Google Chrome.

  2. Click on your profile icon in the upper-right corner and select Turn on sync if it’s not already enabled.

  3. Sign in with your Google account to sync bookmarks, extensions, passwords, history, and settings.

Step 2: Verify Sync Settings

  1. Go to Settings by clicking the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner and selecting Settings.

  2. Under You and Google, click Sync and Google services.

  3. Ensure Sync is on and check that all items you want to back up are selected.

Step 3: Check Backup

  1. Verify your synced data by logging in to your Google account on any device and checking Chrome Sync settings.

2. Mozilla Firefox

Step 1: Sign in to Firefox

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox.

  2. Click the Menu icon (three horizontal lines) and select Sign in to Sync.

  3. Sign in with your Firefox account to sync bookmarks, history, passwords, add-ons, and preferences.

Step 2: Verify Sync Settings

  1. Go to Settings by clicking the menu icon and selecting Settings.

  2. Under Firefox Account, ensure Sync is enabled and that the items you want to back up are selected.

Step 3: Check Backup

  1. Verify your synced data by logging in to your Firefox account on any device and checking Firefox Sync settings.

3. Safari

Step 1: Enable iCloud for Safari

  1. Open System Preferences on your Mac.

  2. Select Apple ID and ensure you are signed in to iCloud.

  3. In the iCloud settings, check the box next to Safari to back up your bookmarks, history, and other settings through iCloud.

Step 2: Verify Sync on Other Apple Devices

  1. Log in to the same Apple ID on other Apple devices (e.g., iPhone, iPad) to ensure your Safari settings are synced.

  2. Open Safari on these devices to confirm that your bookmarks and history are available.

Note: Safari does not currently support syncing settings like extensions or specific preferences outside the iCloud ecosystem.

 

Method 2. Manually backup profile folder

Windows 10: Manually Backing Up Browser Profile Folders

1. Google Chrome

Step 1: Locate Chrome Profile Folder

  1. Open File Explorer.

  2. Navigate to the Chrome profile directory:

    • Path: C:\Users\<Your Username>\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data

  3. Locate the folder named Default (this is your main profile) or another profile folder (e.g., "Profile 1" for additional profiles).

Step 2: Copy and Back Up Profile Folder

  1. Right-click the Default folder and select Copy.

  2. Paste this folder into your backup location (e.g., an external drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox).

  3. To restore, copy this folder back to the same directory on a new or reset installation.

2. Mozilla Firefox

Step 1: Locate Firefox Profile Folder

  1. Open File Explorer.

  2. Navigate to the Firefox profile directory:

    • Path: C:\Users\<Your Username>\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles

  3. You’ll see one or more folders with a .default or .default-release suffix. Each represents a user profile.

Step 2: Copy and Back Up Profile Folder

  1. Right-click the relevant profile folder (e.g., xxxx.default-release) and select Copy.

  2. Paste this folder into your backup location.

  3. To restore, copy the folder back to the same directory on a new or reset installation and ensure Firefox is closed when you do so.

3. Microsoft Edge

Step 1: Locate Edge Profile Folder

  1. Open File Explorer.

  2. Navigate to the Edge profile directory:

    • Path: C:\Users\<Your Username>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Edge\User Data

  3. Locate the Default folder (or any additional profile folders like "Profile 1").

Step 2: Copy and Back Up Profile Folder

  1. Right-click the Default folder and select Copy.

  2. Paste this folder into your backup location.

  3. To restore, copy the folder back to the same directory on a new or reset installation.

MacOS: Manually Backing Up Browser Profile Folders

1. Google Chrome

Step 1: Locate Chrome Profile Folder

  1. Open Finder.

  2. Go to the Chrome profile directory:

    • Path: ~/Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome

  3. Locate the Default folder (main profile) or other profile folders (e.g., "Profile 1").

Step 2: Copy and Back Up Profile Folder

  1. Right-click the Default folder and select Copy.

  2. Paste this folder into your backup location (e.g., an external drive, iCloud, or Dropbox).

  3. To restore, copy this folder back to the same directory on a new or reset installation.

2. Mozilla Firefox

Step 1: Locate Firefox Profile Folder

  1. Open Finder.

  2. Go to the Firefox profile directory:

    • Path: ~/Library/Application Support/Firefox/Profiles

  3. You’ll see one or more folders with a .default or .default-release suffix.

Step 2: Copy and Back Up Profile Folder

  1. Right-click the profile folder you wish to back up (e.g., xxxx.default-release) and select Copy.

  2. Paste this folder into your backup location.

  3. To restore, copy this folder back to the same directory on a new or reset installation and ensure Firefox is closed when you do so.

3. Safari

Step 1: Locate Safari Profile Folder

  1. Safari stores its data in the Library folder.

  2. Open Finder and navigate to the Safari profile directory:

    • Path: ~/Library/Safari

  3. This folder contains bookmarks, history, and other settings.

Step 2: Copy and Back Up Profile Folder

  1. Right-click the Safari folder and select Copy.

  2. Paste this folder into your backup location.

  3. To restore, copy this folder back to the same directory on a new or reset installation. Be sure Safari is closed before transferring.

Contact the ITS Help Desk in the Library Room 230 or at (203) 254-4069 for assistance.