Restoring old Sync data after syncing "the wrong way" (Windows)

[Bamalam]

Hello,
I just tried syncing my PC(regular) and my Laptop(old) that I only use occasionally for work. Both windows.

Had to work on my Laptop for a while recently and wanted to sync all my bookmarks, passwords etc. so I had all the up-to-date data from my PC(regular).

While doing the sync I got the impression the way I did it would transfer from PC(regular) to Laptop(old).
I was mistaken…
It was not clear to me whhat way the sync would go apparently.

Now I “destroyed” my bookmars, passwords etc. on my regular PC and can’t find a way to restore it to the setting before the sync.
I left the sync chain but the old data is not showing up. Lost quite a bit because I work with the laptop maybe once or twice a year.
Is there a guide for restoring sync data?

And on the same note, would be amazing if it would be much easier to see what device will be the source of the sync. Maybe it is clear to tech-savvy people, it is not clear to me as a layperson.
Maybe even just a list where you can choose the “source” or something.
Would save a lot of head ache. Thanks

[CerealLover]

Hi

For Bookmarks, they are normally backed up in bookmarks.bak, located at :

%LocalAppData%\BraveSoftware\Brave-Browser\User data\Default

You need to go to https://rongjiecomputer.github.io/chrome/bookmark-recovery/#windows to recover them then import the converted html file to Brave.

For Passwords, look at this post:

How to get files from Old Brave Browser without Sync (Bookmark, tokens, configs, etc)

Hi Try this (For Windows 11 64bit PC) : NOTE: If not working try to use the same password to login to Windows in new and old SSDs. Open Chromepass freeware from nirsoft. Run as administrator. Click on File, Advanced then Paste location of uSER DATA as in image, ie from location of old SSD. Click OK; Do you see your passwords?. [PASS NIRSOFT] If you see them: CTRL+A Paste in EXCEL Delete the columns not needed and leave only name,url,username,password Save as *.CSV [EXCELL CSV PASS]

[Bamalam]

Thanks!
I’ll try that later today and will let you (and the potential reader) know if it worked.
Thanks again!

And for the devs: please make it more obvious for the layperson what info gets overwritten by what.

[akougblenou]

Do you know where to find the bookmark backups on mobile ?

[Pocro]

Just commenting to say that your method actually worked. Thank you so much for telling me about finding the bookmarks.bak folder. For anybody reading this, I’m on Mac OS and even though he talks about Windows, you just have to find the Brave software folder that it’s in your Mac OS. See this Brave article on how to find your Brave software file on macOS and then from there you can follow what he says. ⁠

BraveSoftware folder location on mac

Related Topic: BraveSoftware folder location @aduseia and anyone who needs it if on mac you cant find the folder at: ~/Users/[your user name]/Library/Application Support/BraveSoftware/Brave-Browser then when at: ~/Users/[your user name] right click and select Show Library Folder option [Screenshot 2024-02-29 at 12.49.04 PM] then you’ll find it at: ~/Users/[your user name]/Library/Application Support/BraveSoftware/Brave-Browser

You’re a legend. ⁠ @CerealLover
I messed up BraveSync like the OP and was really scared that I lost my bookmarks. You just saved me. Praise forum helpers. ⁠