Hilliamembely

Q: Safari deletes my bookmarks when I try to move them...

If I try to move a bookmarks folder in Safari, Safari deletes it and won't let me "Undo Move Bookmark" - how can I stop this, and can I retrieve my bookmarks? I don't have Time Machine configured.

MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2015), OS X El Capitan (10.11.4)

Posted on May 13, 2016 4:52 AM

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Q: Safari deletes my bookmarks when I try to move them...

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  • by D.Cohen,

    D.Cohen D.Cohen May 13, 2016 4:58 AM in response to Hilliamembely
    Level 6 (8,424 points)
    Desktops
    May 13, 2016 4:58 AM in response to Hilliamembely

    If you didn't have any backups, that data is probably gone for good. If you've not run safari since, then don't do this and check

    ~/Library/Caches/Metadata/Safari/Bookmarks/

    if there's more than the 25-30 default items, don't open any and copy the whole folder elsewhere before attempting to recover.

  • by Hilliamembely,

    Hilliamembely Hilliamembely May 13, 2016 5:05 AM in response to D.Cohen
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Safari
    May 13, 2016 5:05 AM in response to D.Cohen

    Thanks for your advice. My main concern really is stopping this from happening again - every time I move a bookmark folder it gets deleted, then if I go to Safari/Edit it says "Undo Move Bookmark", but clicking on that does nothing and the folder is still gone.

  • by dominic23,Solvedanswer

    dominic23 dominic23 May 13, 2016 6:16 AM in response to Hilliamembely
    Level 8 (41,524 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 13, 2016 6:16 AM in response to Hilliamembely

    1. It is possible that the missing folder may be inadvertently placed inside another Bookmarks folder while moving.

     

        There is a search box available at the bottom right corner of the Edit Bookmarks page.

     

         Safari > Bookmarks > Edit Bookmarks

     

    2. Restore Bookmarks and reading list  if accidentally deleted.

     

       "Learn what to do if you have issues using iCloud Bookmarks or Reading List.

        For example, if you need to access a bookmark that you  accidentally deleted or make changes in your web browser

        that don’t update on   your other devices, we can help".

     

        Section: Mac  https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203519

  • by Hilliamembely,

    Hilliamembely Hilliamembely May 13, 2016 6:17 AM in response to dominic23
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Safari
    May 13, 2016 6:17 AM in response to dominic23

    Thank you so so so much! The second part got back the old bookmarks.