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cannot import bookmarks

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I just got a new computer and am trying to import bookmarks from the old one. Both computers are running Firefox 46.0.1. I've tried almost everything, trying to import the .json file, trying to import them in .html, trying to use sync, trying to swap the bookmarks files from my Firefox profile and nothing is working. I've also run the Places Maintenance add-on thing and it says my database is fine. Is my last resort just inputing the old bookmarks into the new system manually? Every time I try to import the backup file, no matter what format, it tells me it is "Unable to read the backup file."

I just got a new computer and am trying to import bookmarks from the old one. Both computers are running Firefox 46.0.1. I've tried almost everything, trying to import the .json file, trying to import them in .html, trying to use sync, trying to swap the bookmarks files from my Firefox profile and nothing is working. I've also run the Places Maintenance add-on thing and it says my database is fine. Is my last resort just inputing the old bookmarks into the new system manually? Every time I try to import the backup file, no matter what format, it tells me it is "Unable to read the backup file."

Chosen solution

Is this a JSON backup that you created manually?

If you are not sure about the file type then you can open the file in Firefox via "Firefox > New Tab > Open File" or "File > Open File". A JSON backup will show as one long text line without line breaks and a HTML backup shows as a web page with clickable links. A JSON backup starts with: {"title":"","id":1,"dateAdded":

You can alternatively copy the places.sqlite file to the current Firefox profile folder.

You can use this button to go to the current Firefox profile folder:


Automatically created JSON backups have a .jsonlz4 file extension to distinguish them from uncompressed backups that have the .json file extension. You can still create a normal uncompressed JSON backup manually in the Bookmarks Manager (Library) as the compressed jsonlz4 format is only used for automated backups.

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Chosen Solution

Is this a JSON backup that you created manually?

If you are not sure about the file type then you can open the file in Firefox via "Firefox > New Tab > Open File" or "File > Open File". A JSON backup will show as one long text line without line breaks and a HTML backup shows as a web page with clickable links. A JSON backup starts with: {"title":"","id":1,"dateAdded":

You can alternatively copy the places.sqlite file to the current Firefox profile folder.

You can use this button to go to the current Firefox profile folder:


Automatically created JSON backups have a .jsonlz4 file extension to distinguish them from uncompressed backups that have the .json file extension. You can still create a normal uncompressed JSON backup manually in the Bookmarks Manager (Library) as the compressed jsonlz4 format is only used for automated backups.

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It was a manual .json backup file. But I tried your suggestion to cut and paste the old places.sqlite file into the the browser on the new computer and all my bookmarks popped back up. Thanks so much!!

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I'm not sure if the above answers answer my question, but, here it goes. I saved my bookmarks from my old computer as a JSON file. For whatever reason I'm unable to import this JSON file into my new Windows 10. Could some explain how I can import my bookmarks into FF in Windows 10. Thanks

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Hi arejfour

Could you please start a new thread for your question?

Then you can provide more information like your operating system and installed extensions and installed plugins.


You can restore a JSON backup in the Bookmarks Manager (Library).

Note that restoring a JSON backup will replace all bookmarks. If necessary create an HTML backup and restore this HTML backup afterward if you need to preserve some current bookmarks.