Top Sites Missing - After iOS - Catalina 10.15.6 Update

After installing the update I was dismayed to discover that the Top Sites page was gone & replaced with the ugly Start Page, 90% of which I had no zero interest in. The Favorites section on the new page was of little value since it contained 100s of icons of every site I had ever bookmarked, arranged in no particular order that I could tell (ugh). The options for customizing the Start Page are very limited, but here's my solution: I deleted everything except the Favorites section, rearranged the icons in the Favorites section so my top sites are in the top 2 rows, and then clicked on Show Less so only the top 2 rows appear. It's not nearly as nice-looking as the Top Sites page but it's a reasonable facsimile & does the job.

this is just a suggestion. it may not work for everyone.

i just tried adding an empty folder to my Favorites list. i renamed it "Top Sites". i then added some websites to the folder. now my start page has this:

once i click the thumbnail, i get this:

i don't know if it will help everyone, but it's close enough for me.

finnaly, if you have a suggestion for apple on how to reintroduce top sites, let them know here:

Feedback - Safari - Apple

I am very upset because Apple did not communicate anything about having canceled the "Top Sites" functionality.

And even more upset, because I spent a lot of time to recover it through my AppleCare Protection Plan.

I got several representatives trying to help me with many tests. I've spent hours for nothing as I understan now that Apple just dropped the fonctionality with the Safari 14.0 update.

Is there any way to restore this? Or rollback to previous Safari version? I had like 24 Top Sites ... had them for years, not sure what to do now... Apple please communicate your plans whatever the answer! If you drop it, say so!

Good afternoon proabhinav,

Welcome to the Apple Support Communities!

It sounds like you are looking for your Safari bookmarks after upgrading to macOS Catalina.

(iOS 14 is the operating software for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch). The resources below will help you with this.

https://www.apple.com/safari/

"Updated start page. Easily and quickly access your favorites and frequently visited sites."

Bookmark webpages that you want to revisit in Safari on Mac - Safari User Guide - macOS Catalina 10.15

Take care.

Apple doesn’t routinely monitor the discussions. These are mostly user to user discussions.

If you want to, you can send Apple feedback. They won't answer, but at least will know there is a problem or a suggestion for change. If enough people send feedback, it may get the problem/suggested change solved sooner.

Safari Feedback   

I saw this problem right after updating to 10.15.7. Top Sites morphed into a "Start Page" that showed a very useful Privacy Report, but then really a dumbed-down and pointless list of exactly two minor "frequently visited" sites. This is a really, really, lousy move, especially unannounced. I hope it is a bug!

Hi proabhinav,

Based on the information you've provided, we think contacting Apple Support may be the best way to troubleshoot this issue.

Contact Apple Support

Take care.

Does this mean the "Top Sites" layout & stored sites mentioned by the original poster is simply gone, & replaced with the updated Start page? Are my previously stored "Top Sites" accessible to adapt to the new start page? I don't see that the start page is using what I've already determined to be my top sites.

Okay. So Apple made a train wreck decision about Top Sites. I too am disturbed by the change. My question is: can I go to an old backup and reinstall Top Sites?

I mean with Top Sites you could pin things to the screen and arrange them. This new system is crap.

I'm also surprised by this sudden change, especially because you still have the option to "Bookmark" a page under favourites OR Top-sites?!?! It makes no sense to drop the ability to generate a new page with Top-sites yet give the user the option to store a webpage under the Top-sites category?!?!

I agree please fix the Top Sites, I had 16 in there and they were important sites that I would go to like banking, health and ones I use everyday almost.

Very dissappointed and I do not like the Start up page. AOL was my start up page.

Please fix soon!

I have lost Top Sites too after the update. I used this frequently, it was a quick and easy way to access popular sites. I wouldn't have updated had I known it would disappear, It would be great if it was reinstated. Please Apple bring it back. Top Sites is fundamental to my use. Thanks, John