Chrome for iPhone Adds Safari Data Import Feature
iPhone users who prefer Google Chrome over Apple’s Safari browser will soon be able to bring their browsing data along—without ever touching a computer. Starting with Chrome 145 (currently in beta), a new built-in tool allows seamless import of Safari bookmarks, browsing history, and saved passwords directly on the iPhone. This long-requested feature addresses a major pain point for mobile-first users, offering a smoother transition between browsers while respecting Apple’s strict privacy sandbox.
The update arrives as part of Google’s ongoing effort to make Chrome more user-friendly on iOS, where Apple’s platform restrictions have historically limited how browsers handle data. Until now, switching from Safari to Chrome meant either manually re-adding bookmarks or using a Mac or PC as an intermediary. That workaround is no longer necessary.
Why This Matters for iPhone Users
For millions of iPhone owners, Safari is the default browser—but not always the preferred one. Many gravitate toward Chrome for its cross-platform sync, tab groups, or integration with Google services. Yet migrating personal browsing data has been surprisingly clunky on iOS due to Apple’s App Tracking Transparency framework and data isolation rules.
Google’s new import feature sidesteps these limitations by leveraging a manual—but straightforward—file transfer method. Instead of trying to access Safari’s data directly (which Apple doesn’t allow), Chrome guides users through exporting their Safari data as a ZIP file, which they then select within Chrome for import. It’s a clever workaround that puts control firmly in the user’s hands while complying with Apple’s privacy policies.
How the Safari-to-Chrome Import Works
The process begins in Safari itself. Users navigate to Settings > Safari > Export Data, where they can generate a compressed ZIP file containing their bookmarks, history, and passwords. Once downloaded to the iPhone’s Files app, they open Chrome and head to Settings > Import Browser Data.
From there, Chrome prompts them to locate the ZIP file. After selection, the app displays a clear preview: “You’re about to import 237 bookmarks, 1,042 history entries, and 89 passwords.” A single tap confirms the transfer. Notably, Chrome also offers to delete the ZIP file immediately afterward—a thoughtful privacy safeguard that prevents sensitive data from lingering on the device.
This step-by-step approach ensures transparency and minimizes risk, aligning with 2026’s heightened expectations around user consent and data hygiene.
Privacy and Security Built In
Given growing concerns about digital privacy—especially around password storage—Google didn’t cut corners. The imported passwords are encrypted using the same security protocols Chrome uses for synced credentials. They’re stored locally unless the user is signed into their Google Account with sync enabled, in which case they’re protected by Google’s end-to-end encryption (when enabled).
Moreover, because the entire process happens on-device, no data is sent to Google’s servers during import. The ZIP file never leaves the iPhone unless the user chooses to back it up to iCloud or another service—which Chrome explicitly warns against during the flow.
This design reflects Google’s deeper commitment to E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) principles that now dominate SEO best practices. By prioritizing user safety and clarity, the feature builds trust while delivering real utility.
A Win for Mobile-Only Users
One of the biggest beneficiaries of this update? People who rely solely on their iPhone—no Mac, no Windows PC, no secondary device. Previously, these users faced a near-impossible task: moving years of browsing history or dozens of login credentials without a desktop bridge.
Now, the switch is entirely self-contained. Whether you’re a student using only your phone for research, a gig worker managing schedules on the go, or someone simplifying their tech stack, Chrome’s new importer removes a significant barrier to browser choice.
It also levels the playing field slightly in Apple’s walled garden. While third-party browsers on iOS still run on WebKit (Apple’s engine) and can’t match Safari’s system-level integration, features like this give users more agency—something regulators and consumers alike have been demanding.
What’s Included—and What’s Not
The import tool covers the essentials:
- Bookmarks (including folders and nested structures)
- Browsing history (URLs and visit timestamps)
- Saved passwords (with associated usernames and sites)
However, it does not transfer autofill data like credit card info or contact details, nor does it migrate extensions (which aren’t supported on iOS anyway). Tab groups, reading lists, and iCloud Keychain entries also remain in Safari’s ecosystem.
Still, for most users, the core components—bookmarks and passwords—are the primary hurdles when switching browsers. Google’s focus on these high-value items shows a user-centered approach rather than a feature-for-feature arms race.
When Will It Roll Out?
The feature is already visible in Chrome 145 beta via TestFlight, meaning it’s undergone internal testing and is nearing public release. Based on Google’s typical release cadence, the stable version should arrive in the App Store within the next 2–4 weeks—likely by early February 2026.
Once live, the option will appear automatically in Chrome’s settings for all iPhone users running iOS 15 or later. No special configuration is needed, and the interface is localized in over 60 languages, ensuring broad accessibility.
Why Google Is Doubling Down on iOS
At first glance, it might seem odd for Google—a company whose Android OS competes directly with iOS—to invest heavily in improving Chrome for iPhone. But the numbers tell a different story.
Over 1.5 billion people use Chrome worldwide, and a significant portion of them are on iOS devices, particularly in markets like the U.S., Japan, and Western Europe. Keeping those users engaged—even within Apple’s constraints—is critical for Google’s search dominance, ad revenue, and ecosystem lock-in.
By making Chrome more convenient and secure on iPhone, Google reduces friction that might otherwise push users back to Safari. And with Apple increasingly promoting its own services (like iCloud Keychain and Private Relay), Google must offer compelling reasons to stay in its orbit.
This Safari import tool isn’t just a convenience—it’s strategic.
More Choice, Less Friction
In an era where digital autonomy is top of mind, small features like this matter more than ever. The ability to move your browsing life between apps without jumping through hoops isn’t just about convenience—it’s about control.
Chrome’s new Safari import option on iPhone may seem like a minor update, but it solves a real-world problem with elegance, privacy, and respect for user intent. For anyone who’s ever hesitated to switch browsers because “it’s too much hassle,” that excuse just disappeared.
And in the broader context of 2026’s digital landscape—where user experience, transparency, and mobile-first design dictate success—it’s exactly the kind of thoughtful engineering that earns trust, drives engagement, and ultimately, keeps people coming back.
