Convert json formatted Chrome bookmark file into html

Question

How can I convert json formatted bookmarks file (taken from /Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome/Default/Bookmarks) into an bookmarks html file so Google Chrome can import it?

Answer 1

If for whatever reason, you only have the JSON output of the Chrome bookmarks file, don't sweat it. Chrome will export bookmarks as HTML and import as HTML. But, sometimes you don't have the luxury of exporting from Chrome because of some issue with your Windows installation. But, you're resourceful and managed to at least get access to your Windows filesystem and backed up your Chrome bookmarks file. But, now how do you import it to Chrome on a working computer without it being in HTML format?

On Windows (this was tested on Win 10), all you have to do is Show Hidden Files and Folders and then paste and overwrite the Bookmarks file at:

C:\Users\YourUserName\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default

Don't run around in circles trying to convert JSON to HTML if you have a Windows computer. I'm not sure about Mac and Linux, but I'd bet it would work similarly.

Answer 2

This has more or less been answered in comments by @Mr.P, but let me formalise:

In my example I have a current (OS root) drive called C:\\. I have a storage drive of F:\\ which has a previous install of Chrome on it which I want to retrieve the bookmarks from.

I did this in Powershell but you could easily do it in file explorer you would just need to either enter the path to <drive_name>:\\users\<account_name>\appdata manually/show hidden folders.

1. close all instances of Chrome currently running (maybe check in the process monitor to ensure all processes terminated).

2. navigate to <storage_drive_letter>:\\users\<account_name>\appdata\local\google\chrome\default.

3. On PowerShell you would select the previous install bookmarks file by entering $books = Get-Item bookmarks. On file explorer you would 'cut'

4. cd <os_drive_letter>:\\users\<account_name>\appdata\local\google\chrome\default or navigate to this path on file explorer

5. mv $books . or paste file

6. open up Chrome again and check the bookmarks: they should be visible all together.

7. [optional] If you're brave close all Chrome windows once again (potentially save both files somewhere else before you do this) delete all files with 'bookmarks' at the start (you can use gci | where {$_.name -like "bookmarks"} | rm) then reopen the browser. In your filesystem Chrome should have automatically regenerated the bookmarks into one file.

If this doesn't work for other people let me know