Safari - can't create new bookmarks

Question

Level 1

6 points

Safari - can't create new bookmarks

I've been trying to find a solution to this problem for the last few days, but without success.

I have plenty of bookmarks in Safari, but for the past while (I can't say exactly when this started - maybe a month ago?) I can't add new bookmarks. If I go to add, I can edit the info, click add, but nothing is actually added.

I've looked through other similar threads and tried steps listed there (i.e. unlocking file permissions and resetting them as outlined here Cannot delete or add bookmarks in Safari 8.0.3 on my iMac ) and I've also verified the permissions on ~/Library/Safari/Bookmarks.plist and it shows I have access to read and write.

Any help would be appreciated!

My specs:

OS X 10.10.3

Safari 8.0.5

iMac 5k

iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2014), OS X Yosemite (10.10.3)

Posted on Apr 20, 2015 8:08 AM

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Answer 1

D.Cohen

Level 6

8,588 points

Apr 20, 2015 8:21 AM in response to chriskay

Please, try these steps.

Quit Safari, then go to ~/Library/Caches/com.apple.Safari. Move the file cache.db to the Desktop and then relaunch Safari.

After that try to add a new bookmark.

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Answer 2

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,547 points

Apr 20, 2015 12:43 PM in response to chriskay

Do you synchronize Safari with iCloud?

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Answer 3

chriskay Author

Level 1

6 points

Apr 20, 2015 2:53 PM in response to Linc Davis

Interesting you should ask - yes I do sync my bookmarks through iCloud.

As it happens, I'm using someone else's MacBook today, and the same behaviour exists there - when I add a bookmark, it does not save.

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Answer 4

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,547 points

Apr 20, 2015 3:00 PM in response to chriskay

Are you signed in to the same iCloud account?

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Answer 5

chriskay Author

Level 1

6 points

Apr 20, 2015 3:00 PM in response to Linc Davis

Yes.

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Answer 6

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,547 points

Apr 20, 2015 3:22 PM in response to chriskay

Back up all data before proceeding.

Triple-click anywhere in the line below on this page to select it, then copy it to the Clipboard by pressing the key combination command-C:

~/Library/Safari/Bookmarks.plist

Quit Safari.

Select

Go ▹ Go to Folder

from the Finder menu bar. Paste into the text box that opens by pressing command-V, then press return.

A folder window should open with a file named "Bookmarks.plist" selected. Move the selected file to the Desktop, leaving the folder open.

Relaunch Safari. It will open with the default set of bookmarks. Delete them all. Select

File ▹ Import from... (or Import Bookmarks...)

from the Safari menu bar. Import from the bookmarks file you moved to the Desktop. Arrange the bookmarks as you wish.

If Safari now performs normally, you can delete the old bookmarks file. Otherwise, quit Safari again and put back the file you moved, replacing the newer one with the same name. Close the Finder window and post your results.

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Answer 7

chriskay Author

Level 1

6 points

Apr 20, 2015 3:31 PM in response to Linc Davis

I carried out the steps - it's still exhibiting the same behaviour.

In related news, I tried the same thing on my iPhone - adding a bookmark. It doesn't work there, either, leading me to believe this has something to do with iCloud.

Thanks for your ongoing help with this - I truly appreciate it.

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Answer 8

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,547 points

Apr 21, 2015 6:32 AM in response to chriskay

Can you edit the bookmarks list while signed out of iCloud?

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Answer 9

chriskay Author

Level 1

6 points

Apr 21, 2015 5:04 AM in response to Linc Davis

I signed out of iCloud, and with the current bookmarks still intact, I tried adding a new bookmark - it did not work.

I deleted my existing bookmarks by following the steps you outlined above by quitting Safari and moving Bookmarks.plist to the desktop, re-started Safari, and tried adding a new bookmark, and it worked.

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Answer 10

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,547 points

Apr 21, 2015 6:11 AM in response to chriskay

Import the rest of your bookmarks from the file you moved.

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Answer 11

chriskay Author

Level 1

6 points

Apr 21, 2015 6:32 AM in response to Linc Davis

Thanks - this worked, and the changes are propagating to my other devices.

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Answer 12

Jun 1, 2015 9:40 PM in response to chriskay

When i try to search for "~/Library/Safari/Bookmarks.plist" my mac states it cannot find this folder. Any suggestions?

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Answer 13

Eric Root

Level 10

684,039 points

Jun 2, 2015 6:44 AM in response to nkatariya

In Finder hold down the option/alt key while selecting the Go menu item. Select Library. Then see if you can find Safari/Bookmarks.plist.

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Answer 14

SFBill

Level 1

18 points

Sep 7, 2015 7:58 PM in response to Linc Davis

I have a very similar problem. Attempted to follow your steps, but every time I Quit Safari, remove the Bookmarks.plist and restart, Safari hangs and won't boot.

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Answer 15

sambany

Level 1

10 points

Nov 25, 2015 5:10 AM in response to nkatariya

I am having this same issue. I cannot find the folder. Any suggestions?

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