Lost bookmarks in the side bar

I think my 2019 MacBook Pro just underwent a Software Update. I've lost my Google search bar on the homepage, plus my bookmarks sidebar is now empty, and I can't figure out how to transfer bookmarks back into it. Can anybody help?

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 15.7

Posted on Nov 15, 2025 3:13 PM

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3 replies

Nov 19, 2025 4:51 PM in response to RobOnBusiness

Re: Lost bookmarks in the side bar : my bookmarks sidebar is now empty,


Wondering in which browser (Safari, Firefox, Chrome etc.) it is, that you no longer see your bookmarks.


Eg: In Safari: The sidebar can be used for Tab Groups, Reading List or Bookmarks

Try scrolling down to see if you can click "Bookmarks" in the sidebar to reveal your bookmarks

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Re: I've lost my Google search bar on the homepage,


We can now just use the website address field ("Smart search field") to search as well as to go to websites


If needed: You may want to check your "Search" settings:

In the top menu-bar : choose Safari > Settings, then click Search.

More info for MacOS 26 Change Search settings in Safari on Mac - Apple Support

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Re: I think my 2019 MacBook Pro just underwent a Software Update.


You may have "automatic updates" turned on: (Major upgrades are now named for the year's date.)

  • MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019) is compatible with the latest MacOS 26 updates, now up to MacOS 26.1


If the update was the latest MacOS 26, MacOS 26.0.1 or MacOS 26.1 the guide below may prove useful.

Else: (earlier MacOS versions can be chosen at the top of "how to" articles reached from the "Table of Contents")


Resources for MacOS 26 Tahoe: Safari User Guide for Mac - Apple Support

and

Mac User Guide - Apple Support

Nov 27, 2025 2:27 PM in response to RobOnBusiness

Thank you kindly for taking the time to reply, and to let us know you found a solution! Cheers :-)

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Re: can't find a way to revert to the original concise listing.


For Safari with MacOS 26: Apple Support's article:

Sort, alphabetize, or rearrange bookmarks in Safari on Mac - Apple Support

Eg says:

  1. "Go to the Safari app  on your Mac.
  2. Click Bookmarks in the sidebar.

If the sidebar isn’t shown,

click  in the toolbar.

If you don’t see Bookmarks at the top or bottom of the sidebar, click at the top of the sidebar.

3.Click , then ...

See smaller icons and exclude bookmark descriptions: Select Compact"

Nov 27, 2025 1:19 PM in response to brbo

Thank you – I did get all that figured out though, I wouldn't be able to tell you how I did it! The only issue I have now, is that the bookmark listings are all highly detailed, with multiple lines and large thumbnails, whereas they were only single line listings with thumbnails small enough to fit on the one line. And I can't find a way to revert to the original concise listing.

Lost bookmarks in the side bar

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