Why are my bookmarks not syncing to my el capitan MacBook?

I have been having issues with Bookmarks syncing since iOS 11 and High Sierra was released. I have been working with AppleCare ever since on an ongoing ticket. They just got my syncing issues fixed few weeks ago so that my Bookmarks are in the same order across all my devices, but I let them know that my El Capitan Macbook was not receiving bookmark updates at all. They just called me to let me know of the results of their investigation.

High Sierra and iOS 11 updates/upgrades the bookmarks from the old DAV protocol to the new iCloud Sync protocol. When you upgrade any of your devices to the new OS, your bookmarks are upgraded to the new protocol and it makes them no longer compatible with the old protocol. Since El Capitan is only compatible with the old DAV protocol, iCloud Safari sync is basically dead after you have updated other devices to iOS 11 and/or High Sierra.

I believe I have the same issue as you as well on my El Capitan MacBook Pro. All iCloud services appear to be working except for bookmark syncing. In fact, even Safari's history syncing works fine.

Similarly, when I turn off Safari in iCloud on my El Capitan MacBook Pro, it displays "setting up" with a little rotating gear as well.

I've tried deleting all of the bookmarks on my iPhone and MacBook Pro, and then restoring by reimporting them on my MacBook Pro, but that did not work.

Were you ever able to find a solution to your issue?

Did anyone find a solution on this?

I have teste with fresh installs of Mavericks, Yosemite, El Capitan and Sierra. None of them syncs bookmarks through iCloud.

Installing High Sierra syncs with no problems.

Same here. Syncing fine on all High Sierra, iOS and Windows 10 devices. But not on the one machine I have that has El Capitan and can't be upgraded any further.

Thank goodness for your post. Hasn't solved my problem, but at least I now know it is most likely not me... I had reset all my bookmark, restored the Mac, even did a clean install combined with a complete reset of all iCloud bookmarks. And still, when i add bookmarks again they sync through all devices - but not the El Capitan iMac. I thought I was going crazy...

I also observed that everything else syncs just fine - including iCloud drive, Photos - and as the OP mentioned even the Safari history. Just not bookmarks or reading lists.

Will now switch off iCloud bookmarks on that machine and try a 3rd party as a workaround.

Same here. Have been in contact with Apple Support and they told me that the server responsible for the Safari iCloud Bookmark Sync are no longer compatible between El Capitan and High Sierra. Why Notes, Address Book etc perfectly sync is beyond me. A bit disappointed to be honest.