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How to Migrate from Chrome to Mullvad Browser

Chrome Mullvad Browser
Difficulty: Easy Estimated time: 15 minutes

Step-by-step guide to switch from Google Chrome to Mullvad Browser, the privacy-focused browser built on Firefox by the Swedish VPN company.

Prerequisites

  • A computer running Windows, macOS, or Linux

Steps

  1. Download Mullvad Browser

    Get Mullvad Browser from the official Mullvad website for Windows, macOS, or Linux.

  2. Export Chrome bookmarks

    Export your bookmarks from Chrome as an HTML file for transfer.

  3. Import bookmarks into Mullvad Browser

    Import the exported bookmarks file into Mullvad Browser's bookmark manager.

  4. Adjust privacy settings

    Review Mullvad Browser's privacy defaults and customise search engine and other preferences.

Why Migrate from Chrome to Mullvad Browser?

Google Chrome is designed to feed data into Google’s advertising ecosystem. It tracks your browsing history, search queries, and site interactions to build a detailed profile for targeted advertising. Chrome’s “privacy” features like Incognito mode still allow Google to collect data.

Mullvad Browser is built by Mullvad VPN (Sweden) in collaboration with the Tor Project. It is based on Firefox and is specifically engineered to minimize fingerprinting and tracking. Every Mullvad Browser user looks identical to websites, making it extremely difficult for trackers to distinguish between users. It requires no account, collects no telemetry, and is entirely open source.

Detailed Migration Steps

Step 1: Download Mullvad Browser

Visit mullvad.net/en/browser and download the installer:

  1. Choose your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux)
  2. Verify the download signature if desired (PGP signatures are provided)
  3. Install and launch the browser

Mullvad Browser is free to use and does not require a Mullvad VPN subscription, though combining the two provides maximum privacy.

Step 2: Export Chrome Bookmarks

Before leaving Chrome, save your bookmarks:

  1. Open Chrome and go to chrome://bookmarks or press Ctrl+Shift+O
  2. Click the three-dot menu in the top-right of the bookmark manager
  3. Select Export bookmarks
  4. Save the HTML file to a convenient location

If you also want to transfer saved passwords, export them separately from chrome://password-manager/settings (consider using a dedicated password manager like Bitwarden instead).

Step 3: Import Bookmarks into Mullvad Browser

In Mullvad Browser:

  1. Press Ctrl+Shift+O to open the bookmark library
  2. Click Import and Backup in the toolbar
  3. Select Import Bookmarks from HTML
  4. Browse to the HTML file you exported from Chrome
  5. Your bookmarks will appear in a folder called “From Chrome”

Organise imported bookmarks into your preferred folder structure.

Step 4: Adjust Privacy Settings

Mullvad Browser comes with strong privacy defaults, but you may want to customise:

  • Search engine: The default is DuckDuckGo; consider switching to a European option like Startpage or Ecosia
  • Security level: Mullvad Browser includes security level settings (Standard, Safer, Safest) similar to Tor Browser
  • Extensions: Mullvad Browser ships with uBlock Origin pre-installed; avoid adding many extensions as they increase your fingerprint
  • Bookmarks bar: Enable if desired via View > Toolbars > Bookmarks Toolbar

Note that Mullvad Browser intentionally resets some settings on restart to maintain anti-fingerprinting protection.

Tips for a Smooth Migration

  • Understand that Mullvad Browser deliberately does not sync data across devices, as sync features create trackable accounts
  • Use a password manager like Bitwarden (EU-friendly) instead of relying on browser-saved passwords
  • Pair Mullvad Browser with Mullvad VPN for comprehensive privacy protection
  • Keep Chrome installed temporarily for sites that require Google integration
  • Mullvad Browser clears cookies on close by default; use bookmarks to quickly return to frequently visited sites

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