The accumulation of unnecessary bookmarks in Yandex Browser on Android is a problem that every second person faces user. Over time, the collection of saved links grows to hundreds of positions, among which it is difficult to find the truly important ones. Manually deleting each bookmark individually takes hours, especially if they are distributed in folders or synchronized with an account. Fortunately, there are ways to clear everything in one click without losing data in other browsers or on other devices.

Many people mistakenly believe that for mass deletion you will have to reinstall the application or reset your smartphone. In fact, Yandex Browser provides built-in tools for bulk cleaning, and alternative methods (for example, through ADB or the file system) allow you to bypass the limitations of the standard interface. In this article we will analyze 5 working methodsincluding hidden functions and automation, and also explain how to avoid common mistakes when cleaning.

Before you begin, make sure that you have installed latest version of Yandex Browser (at the time of writing - no lower 23.11). Older builds may not support some of the features described below. Also check whether synchronization with your account is enabled Yandex ID —this will affect the choice of method.

📊 How often do you clear bookmarks in the browser?
Once a month
Once a six months
Never
Only when the browser starts to slow down

1. Standard method: through the browser menu

The most obvious method is to use the built-in tools Yandex Browser. It is suitable if there are not too many bookmarks (up to 200–300 pieces) and they are not distributed across dozens of folders. Here are the step-by-step guide:

1. Open Yandex Browser on your Androiddevice.

2. Tap on the icon ⋮ (three dots) in the lower right corner → select Bookmarks.

3. In the upper right corner of the screen with a list of bookmarks, click on the icon ⚙️ (Manage).

4. Select Select all (or manually mark the desired bookmarks if you want to clear only part).

5. Click on the trash can icon 🗑️ in the bottom panel.

⚠️ Attention: This method does not delete bookmark folders you will have to wash them separately. It also does not work if bookmarks are synchronized with other devices: they will return the next time the data is updated.

  • ✅ Quickly and without additional tools
  • ✅ Does not require technical skills
  • ❌ Does not clear folders
  • ❌ Ineffective with a large number of bookmarks

If bookmarks appear again after deletion, it means synchronization is enabled. To avoid this, temporarily disable it in your account settings Yandex (more on this in the next section).

Make a backup copy of important links|Check the version of Yandex Browser|Disable synchronization (if necessary)|Close all browser tabs-->

2. Deleting through synchronization with a Yandex account

If bookmarks are synchronized with your Yandex ID, they can be deleted centrally - through the web interface Yandex.Collections. This method is suitable for users who have duplicate bookmarks on several devices (smartphone, tablet, PC).

1. Open a browser on any device and go to: 

https://passport.yandex.ru/profile/collections

(log in if required).

2. In the section Bookmarks click on the icon ⋮ → Management.

3. Check all bookmarks (or select the entire folder) and click Delete.

⚠️ Attention: Bookmarks deleted via Yandex.Collections bookmarks will disappear from all devices where synchronization is enabled. If you need to save some of the links on your PC, first export them to a file. data-i="102">Synchronization .html (option Export in the same menu).

Method Speed Synchronization Requires a PC
Through the browser menu Average No No
Yandex.Collections High Yes (deletes everywhere) Yes
Reset browser Instant No (if you disable synchronization) No
ADB commands High No Yes

If after cleaning via Yandex.Collections bookmarks remain on your smartphone, update the data in the browser: go to Settings → Synchronization → Update.

💡

Before mass deletion, create a test folder with 2-3 bookmarks and check how the chosen method works. This will help avoid losing important links.

3. Resetting Yandex Browser to factory settings

Radical, but an effective way is to completely reset the browser. It deletes all data: bookmarks, history, passwords, cache and settings. Use it if other methods did not work or you want to “reset” the browser completely.

1. Open Yandex Browser and go to: ⋮ → Settings → About → Reset settings.

2. Confirm the action (you may be required to enter your device password).

3. After restarting the browser, all bookmarks will disappear.

⚠️ Attention: If synchronization with Yandex ID was enabled, the bookmarks will return the next time you log into your account. To avoid this:

  • 🔹 Disable synchronization to reset: Settings → Synchronization → Exit account.
  • 🔹 Or delete bookmarks through Yandex.Collections (section 2) after reset.

This method is also useful if the browser begins slow down or does not work correctly due to an overloaded database.

What else is deleted when you reset the browser?

In addition to bookmarks, resetting clears:

- Browsing and download history

- Saved passwords and autofill forms

- Home page and search engine settings

- Extension data (if installed)

- Cache and cookies (you will have to log in to the sites again)

4. Removal via ADB (for advanced users)

If standard methods do not help, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB) a tool for low-level smartphone management. This method requires PC and basic knowledge of the command line, but allows you to delete bookmarks without a traceeven if they are locked by synchronization.

1. Install ADB on your computer (instructions for Windows/macOS/Linux are on the official website Android Developers).

2. Connect your smartphone to the PC via USB and enable USB debugging: Settings → About phone → Build number (tap 7 times) → Developer settings → USB debugging.

3. On the command line (Terminal or PowerShell) run: 

adb shell pm clear ru.yandex.browser

This command completely clears data Yandex Browser, including bookmarks.

⚠️ Attention: The command pm clear is equivalent to reinstalling the browser. All local data (including history and passwords) will be lost. If synchronization is enabled, bookmarks may be restored - disable it. in advance.

  • ✅ Removes everything browser data, including hidden files
  • ✅ Works even on outdated versions of Android
  • ❌ Requires a PC and ADB skills
  • ❌ Risk of accidentally resetting other applications
💡

ADB is the most radical method, but it is guaranteed to clear bookmarks, even if they are “stuck” due to synchronization failure or database errors.

5. Alternative methods: file system and third-party applications

If none of the above methods worked, two options remain: manually deleting bookmark files or using third-party utilities. Both methods require caution, as they are associated with the risk of data corruption.

Method 1: Deleting the database file

Bookmarks Yandex Browser are stored in the file bookmarks.db along the path: 

/data/data/ru.yandex.browser/app_Browser/YandexBrowser/User Data/Default/

To delete:

  1. Get root access on the device (or use ADB with superuser rights).
  2. Go to the specified folder and delete the file bookmarks.db.
  3. Restart the browser.

Method 2: Cleaning applications

Some file managers (for example Root Explorer or FX File Explorer) allow you to edit system files without root. However, most of these utilities require an unlocked bootloader or special permissions.

⚠️ Attention: Manual intervention in the file system can lead to browser crash or loss of other data. We recommend creating a backup copy of the folder User Data before deleting.

How to backup bookmarks?

1. Export bookmarks via Yandex.Collections (section 2).

2. Or copy the file bookmarks.db to a safe place (for example, on a PC) using ADB:

adb pull /data/data/ru.yandex.browser/app_Browser/YandexBrowser/User Data/Default/bookmarks.db ~/backup/

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Even when following instructions, users often encounter problems. Here are the most common mistakes and their solutions:

1. Bookmarks are returned after deletion

Reason: synchronization with Yandex IDis enabled. Solution:

  • 🔹 Disable synchronization to deleting bookmarks.
  • 🔹 Delete bookmarks via Yandex.Collections (section 2).

2. The "Select all" button does not work

Reason: the interface has been changed in the new version of the browser. Solution:

  • 🔹 Update Yandex Browser to the latest version.
  • 🔹 Use ADB or reset settings (sections 3-4).

3. After the reset, the browser asks for the account password

Reason: account data Yandex saved in the system. Solution:

  • 🔹 Enter the password and immediately disable synchronization.
  • 🔹 Or delete the account in the settings Android: Settings → Accounts → Yandex → ​​Delete.

4. ADB does not find the device

Cause: drivers are not installed or debugging is not enabled. Solution:

  • 🔹 Install Google USB Driver (for Windows).
  • 🔹 Check that software debugging is enabled in the developer settings USB.
Is it possible to restore deleted bookmarks?

Yes, if you had synchronization with Yandex IDenabled. Go to Yandex.Collections and check the folder Cart —deleted bookmarks are stored there for 30 days. If synchronization was disabled, you can only restore data from a backup copy. (if you did it).

Why do bookmarks remain in the "Favorites" folder after deletion?

Folder Favorites to Yandex Browser is a system category that sometimes behaves like a separate container. To clear it:

  1. Open Bookmarks → Favorites.
  2. Tap on ⋮ → Manage → Select all → Delete.

If the folder is not cleared, use ADB (section 4).

Will deleting bookmarks affect your browsing history?

No, bookmarks and history are different databases. However, when full browser reset (section 3) or use ADB (section 4) the history will also be erased. If you need to save the history, export it first by Settings → History → Export.

Is it possible to delete bookmarks from only one device, leaving them on others?

Yes, but for this you need to:

  1. Disable synchronization on the target device (Settings → Synchronization → Logout).
  2. Delete bookmarks locally (section 1 or 3).
  3. Do not log into your account Yandex in the browser, otherwise the data will be synced again.

Alternative: create a new account Yandex and use it only on this device.

Why is there no "Select All" option in my browser?

Probably you have an outdated version Yandex Browser (up to 22.7). Update the application via Google Play or the official website. If the option is still missing, try:

  • 🔹 Uninstall and reinstall the browser.
  • 🔹 Use ADB (section 4).