HT203519: iCloud: Troubleshooting iCloud Bookmarks and Reading List

Learn about iCloud: Troubleshooting iCloud Bookmarks and Reading List
mmartin-ipad-user
Level 1 (4 points)
iCloud

Q: Delete ALL iCloud Bookmarks at the same time (thousands!)

Hello. I have an iPad Pro and an iPhone 6S Plus. I do not own a Mac. Tonight I launched Safari and on both devices I now have thousands of bookmarks with tons of them being duplicates. (11,000 at last count.)

 

The only thing I'd like to do at this point is just nuke them all and clear them out. The only method I can find is to edit the bookmarks and delete them one-at-a-time, which isn't going to cut it. Does anyone know how I can select them all and just hit "delete?"

 

Any pointers would be appreciated.

 

Thank you,

 

/MM

iPad Pro, iOS 9.3.1

Posted on Apr 24, 2016 8:56 PM

by mmartin-ipad-user,Solvedanswer
mmartin-ipad-user mmartin-ipad-user
Level 1 (4 points)
iCloud
A:

I've actually solved my problem.

 

I went and purchased an iMac. On the iPad and iPhone, removed Safari from iCloud settings.

 

On new iMac setup access to iCloud. Let Safari load all 10 gazillion bookmarks. Next, in Safari on the iMac went to my bookmarks manager and selected all bookmarks and deleted them in one fell swoop.

 

On iPad and iPhone, turned Safari sync back on in iCloud and problem was solved.

 

Oh well. Thanks for reading.

 

/MM

Posted on Apr 28, 2016 7:13 PM

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mmartin-ipad-user

Q: Delete ALL iCloud Bookmarks at the same time (thousands!)

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  • Helpful answers

  • by mmartin-ipad-user,

    mmartin-ipad-user mmartin-ipad-user Apr 25, 2016 1:55 PM in response to mmartin-ipad-user
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iCloud
    Apr 25, 2016 1:55 PM in response to mmartin-ipad-user

    After doing a lot searching, it appears this is doable from a Mac.

     

    I don't own a Mac. What would be the next best option here?

     

    Thanks,

     

    /MM

  • by LACAllen,

    LACAllen LACAllen Apr 25, 2016 9:07 PM in response to mmartin-ipad-user
    Level 5 (4,436 points)
    iCloud
    Apr 25, 2016 9:07 PM in response to mmartin-ipad-user

    I assume you are currently syncing your bookmarks with iCloud? Turn off the Safari setting and delete them in one fell swoop that way.

     

    Settings > iCloud > Safari

  • by mmartin-ipad-user,

    mmartin-ipad-user mmartin-ipad-user Apr 26, 2016 8:03 AM in response to LACAllen
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iCloud
    Apr 26, 2016 8:03 AM in response to LACAllen

    Thanks for the reply, but it does not work. I will perform the procedure you outline above on both the iPhone and iPad. I will then select "delete all" from the prompt. I will wait a few minutes and go back into iCloud and turn Safari back on for each device and boom! - All 11,000 bookmarks are back on both devices.

     

    is there no way to access my iCloud bookmarks online and delete?

  • by LACAllen,

    LACAllen LACAllen Apr 26, 2016 6:33 PM in response to mmartin-ipad-user
    Level 5 (4,436 points)
    iCloud
    Apr 26, 2016 6:33 PM in response to mmartin-ipad-user

    Why are you turning Safari back on?

     

    You didn't say you wanted to delete them from the cloud. Is that what your goal is?

  • by mmartin-ipad-user,

    mmartin-ipad-user mmartin-ipad-user Apr 27, 2016 11:31 AM in response to LACAllen
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iCloud
    Apr 27, 2016 11:31 AM in response to LACAllen

    LACAllen,

     

    I do want iCloud sync on for all my iOS devices as it is very useful, including Safari. For some reason which I don't know why my bookmarks have been duplicated many many times over. I would like to just delete all bookmarks on all iOS devices AND in iCloud. Once all bookmarks are deleted I want to start over with them.

     

    I do like using iCloud for all of the services it provides. But this bookmarks issue is a headache.

     

    Thanks.

  • by mmartin-ipad-user,Solvedanswer

    mmartin-ipad-user mmartin-ipad-user Apr 28, 2016 7:13 PM in response to mmartin-ipad-user
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iCloud
    Apr 28, 2016 7:13 PM in response to mmartin-ipad-user

    I've actually solved my problem.

     

    I went and purchased an iMac. On the iPad and iPhone, removed Safari from iCloud settings.

     

    On new iMac setup access to iCloud. Let Safari load all 10 gazillion bookmarks. Next, in Safari on the iMac went to my bookmarks manager and selected all bookmarks and deleted them in one fell swoop.

     

    On iPad and iPhone, turned Safari sync back on in iCloud and problem was solved.

     

    Oh well. Thanks for reading.

     

    /MM