How to Recover Deleted Chrome Bookmarks on Mac | 4 Ways

TL;DR:

Chrome stores bookmarks in ~/Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome/Default/Bookmarks (JSON). If bookmarks vanished, try in this order: 1) Google Sync (Settings > You and Google > Sync on) — free and instant; 2) Time Machine restore of the Bookmarks file; 3) rename Bookmarks.bak to Bookmarks after closing Chrome; 4) deep-scan with Wondershare Recoverit if the .bak is gone too. Prevent loss by exporting bookmarks regularly.

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User question: "Some Chrome bookmarks I had saved on my Mac have been deleted. Can someone suggest me any way to recover them?"

Chrome bookmarks on Mac live in a single JSON file and can vanish after an accidental delete, a Chrome update, or a sync glitch — but they're usually recoverable. This guide shows where bookmarks are stored, why they disappear, and four proven recovery methods from Google Sync to deep scanning with Wondershare Recoverit.

Where are Chrome Bookmarks Stored?

Being informed about where Chrome bookmarks are stored is essential. Chrome bookmarks are stored in a file called "Bookmarks," located in the user data directory of your Chrome installation. For macOS, it resides in ~/Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome/Default/. These bookmarks are saved in JSON format, allowing for easy backup and transfer between devices.

Common Causes of Bookmark Loss on a Mac

Bookmark loss on Mac can happen for several reasons. Understanding these causes helps users recover deleted Chrome bookmarks and prevent future loss. Here are common reasons:

4 Methods to Recover Deleted Bookmarks in Chrome on a Mac

Several methods exist for Chrome bookmarks recovery on a Mac. Here are some of the most effective methods for recovering deleted bookmarks in Chrome on a Mac:

1. Restore Chrome Bookmarks on Mac with Data Recovery Software – Wondershare Recoverit

Wondershare Recoverit recovers lost or accidentally deleted Chrome bookmarks on Mac — even when the Bookmarks.bak file is gone too. It previews recoverable files before restoration and handles many other file types (photos, videos, documents, emails).

Why Recoverit Excels at Bookmark Recovery
Unlike basic recovery tools that only look for file names, Wondershare Recoverit uses Deep Scanning Technology to identify the specific JSON headers of Chrome's "Bookmarks" and "Bookmarks.bak" files. This means that even if your file system was corrupted or the files were partially overwritten, Recoverit can often reconstruct the bookmark data by identifying the underlying code structure, ensuring your long list of links remains intact.

1. Begin by launching Recoverit on your Mac. Then, select the location you want to scan. This could be your entire drive, a specific partition, or even the exact folder where Chrome bookmarks are usually stored.

   

2. Once you've selected your target area, Recoverit will start its deep scan. Sit back and let the software work its magic. You can monitor the progress through an on-screen indicator. If needed, you can pause the scan at any time or use Recoverit's built-in features to refine the search results.

   

3. When the scan finishes, browse the recovered files and preview them to confirm you've found the Bookmarks file. Select it and click Recover, then choose a safe location (e.g., desktop or external drive) — do not overwrite the current file. Afterwards, copy the recovered Bookmarks file back into ~/Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome/Default/ and restart Chrome.

2. Restore Chrome Bookmarks on Mac with Time Machine

Time Machine restores a previous version of the Bookmarks file if you had a backup before the deletion.

1. Open Finder and navigate to the "Applications" folder, then find and open the "Utilities" folder. Launch "Time Machine."

   

2. Ensure that you have a Time Machine backup from before the bookmarks were deleted. Use the timeline on the right side of the screen to go back to a date when the bookmarks were still present.
3. In Time Machine, navigate to the Library folder. To do this, hold down the "Option" key, click on the "Go" menu in the Finder, and select "Library." From there, open the Application Support folder, then the Google folder, and then the Chrome folder.

   

4. Locate the "Default" folder and look for the "Bookmarks" file. Select it and click "Restore." Confirm any prompts, and once restored, open Chrome to see your recovered bookmarks.

3. Restore Deleted Chrome Bookmarks with your Google Account

If you have Google Sync enabled, deleted bookmarks may come back from another synced device automatically.

1. Open Chrome on your Mac and make sure you're signed in to your Google Account (account icon, top-right).
2. Click the three-dot menu and select Settings.

   

3. Navigate to You and Google. Ensure Sync is on (click Turn on Sync if not) and Bookmarks is selected.

   

4. After syncing completes, press Cmd + Option + B to open the Bookmark Manager and check if the bookmarks reappeared.

4. Manual Recovery from Chrome's Bookmark Backup Files

If the previous methods do not yield results, you might still have a chance to recover your deleted bookmarks through Chrome's backup files. Chrome automatically creates a backup of your bookmarks in a file with a ".bak" extension, which can be a lifesaver if you accidentally delete your main bookmarks file. This manual recovery method requires a bit more technical know-how, as you'll need to access specific directories in your system files.

Pro Tip: How to Reveal the Hidden Library Folder By default, macOS hides the "Library" folder to prevent accidental system changes. To access the path ~/Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome/Default/ quickly, open Finder, click the Go menu at the top of your screen, and press and hold the Option (Alt) key. The "Library" folder will magically appear in the list. Click it to jump directly to your Chrome data directory.

1. Open Finder and go to your home directory: click Go in the menu bar and select Home.

   

2. Navigate to ~/Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome/Default/ and look for Bookmarks and Bookmarks.bak.

   

3. Duplicate the current Bookmarks file as a safety copy, delete the original, then rename Bookmarks.bak to Bookmarks. Restart Chrome to check if your deleted bookmarks are restored.

How to Prevent Chrome Bookmarks from Losing Again?

If you follow some essential considerations, you can prevent Chrome bookmarks from being lost again in the future. Learning about these things can prove beneficial to you. Here are the ways to prevent Chrome bookmarks from being lost again:

Conclusion

Try recovery in this order: Google Sync → Time Machine → Bookmarks.bak rename → Wondershare Recoverit deep scan. Then prevent future loss by exporting bookmarks regularly, keeping sync on, and auditing extensions.

Wondershare Recoverit

• Recovers data from 1000+ file formats across HDDs, SSDs, USB drives, SD cards and more.
• Handles 10000+ data loss scenarios, including deletion, emptied trash, formatting, and virus attacks.
• Recovers lost or deleted files like documents, photos, videos, music, and emails safely and completely.
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