Dick Huitema

Q: Favorites missing in Safari Smart Search Field

Since El Capitan's Version 10.11.6, Favorites are missing from the Safari Smart Search Field for New Windows.  If a Safari window shows any web page (so far), clicking in the search field brings the Favorites icons in view, as is intended.

 

Is this a bug, or can I change some setting to get them for New Windows?

 

Thanks!

 

Dick

Mac mini, OS X El Capitan (10.11.6)

Posted on Oct 1, 2016 10:36 AM

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Q: Favorites missing in Safari Smart Search Field

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  • by jameson.h,Helpful

    jameson.h jameson.h Oct 3, 2016 5:28 AM in response to Dick Huitema
    Community Specialists
    Oct 3, 2016 5:28 AM in response to Dick Huitema

    Hello Dick Huitema. 


    If I’m understanding your post right, when you open a new window in Safari, you're not seeing your Favorites icons in the Smart Search Field.  When I use Safari, I like to always have my Favorites available and ready to use, so I can understand why you would reach out for assistance with this. 

    You’re likely experiencing this if Safari is set to open new windows to an empty page. If yours is set up that way, there is a really easy way to get those Favorites icons to show without actually changing any settings. When you open up a webpage, you should see an empty webpage with your search bar at the top and a blinking cursor within that search bar. Instead of clicking inside of that search bar right away, click anywhere in that empty webpage, and then click in the empty search bar. You should then see your Favorites icons appear.

    Another option is to set your homepage to Favorites. You can do this in Safari > Preferences. On the General tab within Safari Preferences,  select the drop-down menu next to "New windows open with", and choose Favorites. This should make it so that when you open up new web pages, all of your Favorites icons show right away. The favorites icons will still show in the Smart Search Field when additional tabs are opened as well. 

    Here are a couple of really helpfuls articles on Safari favorites and search options:

    Safari for Mac: Change search options using Safari

    Safari for Mac: View the Safari Favorites page​


    Thanks for using Apple Support Communities. 


    Take care

  • by Dick Huitema,

    Dick Huitema Dick Huitema Oct 3, 2016 5:49 AM in response to jameson.h
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Safari
    Oct 3, 2016 5:49 AM in response to jameson.h

    Jameson:

     

    Thanks!

     

    Those suggestions work, but there they don't bring back the way this worked before Version 10.11.6 so it follows the description on the View the Safari Favorites Help Page:

     

    View your Favorites from the Smart Search field: Click in the Smart Search field to see your favorite websites, then click the icon of the website you want to visit.....


    In prior versions, Safari worked the way the Help Page says.  Any time I clicked in the Smart Search field, Favorite Icons appeared, even for an empty window.  Until (and if) that's restored, I'll just use your first suggestion and make an additional click.  Unfortunately, it seems like a (small) bug.


    Cheers!!


    Dick



  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Oct 3, 2016 6:29 AM in response to Dick Huitema
    Level 9 (73,376 points)
    iTunes
    Oct 3, 2016 6:29 AM in response to Dick Huitema

    Check Safari/Preferences/Search/Smart Search Field and make sure Show Favorites is checked.

  • by Dick Huitema,

    Dick Huitema Dick Huitema Oct 3, 2016 8:49 AM in response to Eric Root
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Safari
    Oct 3, 2016 8:49 AM in response to Eric Root

    Hi Eric!

     

    It sure is.... and has been.   Nice try!

     

    Dick