Quick answer
First check that you are signed in to the correct Google account and that bookmark sync is enabled in `chrome://settings/syncSetup`. Then turn sync off and on again, check that bookmarks are not in another profile, and trigger a manual sync. If nothing changes, export bookmarks to an HTML file before further steps.
How to recognize the problem
- New bookmarks do not appear on another computer or phone
- Chrome says sync is on, but nothing changes
- Bookmarks are visible on the phone but not in Chrome on the computer
- Sync stopped after changing the Google account password
- A folder that used to exist is missing from the bookmarks bar
Most common causes
You are signed in to a different Google account
Chrome remembers multiple accounts, and bookmarks are tied to the one active in the profile. If a work account is signed in instead of a personal one, you will see an empty or different list.
Sync is partially turned off
A Google account can sync passwords and history while the bookmarks option is off. It looks like everything works, but bookmarks stay on only one device.
You are using another profile or another browser
Chrome profiles have separate bookmarks. The same applies to Edge, which has its own Microsoft account and sync.
Sync is stuck
After a connection drop, password change or browser update, sync can remain in an error state even though it is enabled.
Bookmarks are in the wrong folder
Some bookmarks are saved in the "Bookmarks bar" and some in "Other bookmarks". If you only look at the bar, it seems they are missing.
Step-by-step fix
- 1
Check which account you are signed in to
Open
chrome://settings/peopleand look at the email address next to the profile. If it is not the right account, clickSign outand sign in with the correct one. Also check the Chrome app on your phone, via the profile icon or in the account settings. - 2
Turn on bookmark sync
Go to
chrome://settings/syncSetupand check that sync is on. ClickManage what you syncand make sure theBookmarksoption is enabled. Wait a few minutes for the changes to apply. - 3
Export bookmarks as a backup
Before further steps, open
chrome://bookmarks, click the three dots in the top right corner and chooseExport bookmarks. Save the HTML file somewhere safe, for example in theDocumentsfolder or on a USB drive. That way you do not risk losing anything if something goes wrong. - 4
Turn sync off and on again
On the same
chrome://settings/syncSetuppage, turn sync off, wait about ten seconds and turn it back on. If an option to delete local data appears, do not check it. Then close and reopen Chrome. This step often fixes stuck sync without deleting data. - 5
Check sync status
Click the profile icon in the top right corner and check whether it says sync is on. Then open
chrome://settings/syncSetupand wait for the status to change to "Sync is on". Check whether the bookmarks appear on another device. - 6
Check another profile and another browser
Click the profile icon and look at the list of profiles. If there are multiple profiles, open the one where the bookmarks used to be. In Edge, check
edge://settings/profiles/syncbecause it syncs via a Microsoft account, independently of Chrome. - 7
Sign in to the Google account again
If the previous steps did not help, click the profile icon and choose
Sign out, then sign in again. If an option to delete local data appears when signing out, do not check it. After signing in, wait for the bookmarks to be pulled from the server. Do not delete the profile before exporting bookmarks. - 8
Check folders and the bar
Open
chrome://bookmarksand check both theBookmarks barandOther bookmarks. If the bar is hidden, turn it on via theBookmarks and listsmenu >Show bookmarks baror with theCtrl+Shift+Bshortcut. That way you will see whether the bookmarks exist but are not in a visible place.
If nothing helped: switch to a new profile
When sync still does not work, create a new Chrome profile and import the bookmarks from the HTML file you exported. Open chrome://settings/people, click Add and create a profile, then sign in to the Google account. In the new profile, open chrome://bookmarks, click the three dots and choose Import bookmarks, then select the saved HTML file. Check whether the bookmarks now sync with your phone. If they do, you can delete the old profile only after verifying that all bookmarks have been transferred. If the new profile also does not sync, the problem is probably on the Google account or network side, so try another network or wait a day or two.
How to prevent it
- Sign in with the same Google account on all devices and in all profiles
- Occasionally export bookmarks to an HTML file as a backup
- Do not turn off bookmark sync when cleaning the browser
- After changing your password, check that sync is active again
When to call a professional
If you have tried all the steps and bookmarks still do not appear on other devices, contact IT support. They can check whether the problem is with the account, company policy or network, and safely transfer bookmarks without data loss.
IT infrastructure maintenance · Servers, networks, backup, security and helpdeskFAQ
Will I lose bookmarks if I turn off sync?
No, turning off sync does not delete bookmarks from the device. They remain locally but stop being transferred to other devices while sync is off.
Why are bookmarks visible on the phone but not on the computer?
Most often, a different Google account or a different profile is signed in on the computer. Check the address in `chrome://settings/people` and compare it with the account in Chrome on the phone.
Does Edge sync bookmarks via a Google account?
No, Edge uses a Microsoft account and its own sync. Bookmarks from Chrome are transferred to Edge by exporting and importing an HTML file, not automatically.