How to sync bookmarks in Safari across multiple devices

Bookmarks are one of the easiest and most common ways to save web pages to read them later. In the earlier versions of iOS, users had to sync bookmarks on the iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad with iTunes’ tool “Sync Safari bookmarks across different devices.” No doubt, it was a pesky task and users wouldn’t see the bookmarks instantly on their other devices.

Thanks to iCloud, now you sync bookmarks between different devices. The best part is that it not only works for the iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad and Mac users but also Windows users can sync the bookmarks with their different devices via the iCloud application.

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Requirements:

• Before you can start the sync process, make sure that you have a fully activated iCloud account. And verify that you are using the SAME iCloud account on all devices.
• iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad running iOS 5 or higher
• For Mac users: Mac OS X Lion 10.7.5 or Higher and Safari 5.1.1
• For Windows Users: Windows 7 with iTunes and iCloud installed on the PC AND iCloud Bookmark extension for Chrome and Firefox

How to Enable Bookmarks Sync on iOS?

Tap on your Apple ID Profile and select iCloud. For iOS 10.2 and below, go to Settings > iCloud 

If you aren’t using iCloud on your iPhone, login to the iCloud account using username and password. Now, Scroll down and make sure that you have enabled the Safari

How to Enable Safari Sync in macOS or Mac OS X?

On the top left corner of your Mac screen, Click on Apple icon and select System Preferences

Now, Click on iCloud and tick the little button next to Safari

How to Enable Safari Sync in Windows?

First, Activate the iCloud Bookmark extension or add-on in Google Chrome or Firefox

Google Chrome

1. Open Chrome
2. Click the Chrome menu in the upper-right corner, then choose More tools > Extensions
3. Select the Enable checkbox next to iCloud Bookmarks

Firefox

1. Open Firefox
2. Click the Firefox menu in the upper-right corner, then choose Add-ons
3. Choose Extensions
4. Click Enable next to iCloud Bookmarks

Next, Add iCloud & iCloud Bookmarks

Step ->1:  First of all download and install the latest version of iTunes and iCloud. Click here to download iTunes on your Windows PC and Click here to install iCloud on your Windows PC.

Step ->2: After installing the both software, run the iCloud on your PC. Enter the Username and Password of your iCloud account and Click on the Sign In. As you hit the sign button, it may take some time to open the main screen of iCloud. Please write down the complete Email address that you use to log in on your iCloud.

Step ->3: On the main screen of iCloud, make sure to check the Bookmarks.

Step ->4: As Safari Web browser is not available on Windows, you will have to select another web browser to sync the bookmarks on your Windows PC. Click on the Options next to the bookmarks.

Step ->5: Now, select the web browser for which you want to sync the bookmarks. You can either select one web browser or select more than one web browser.

If you install a browser when iCloud for Windows is open, you need to quit and reopen iCloud for Windows. Then the new browser appears in the Bookmarks Options list in iCloud for Windows preferences.

That’s it! You have enabled the Sync for Safari bookmarks on your Windows PC. Now, Sit tight and relax because it may take some time to finish the sync process.

If you don’t see the changes in your web browser, quit and reopen to refresh your changes. iCloud Bookmarks for Chrome sometimes take more time to update than Internet Explorer or Firefox. This is because Google limits the number of updates you can make in a short period.

Occasional Errors while Syncing Bookmarks and How to solve them?

Fix Sync Issues on iPhone:

If you aren’t able to see the bookmarks on your iPhone, do the following troubleshooting;

• Make sure that internet connection on your iPhone is working properly. Most of the time, iCloud is disabled on a cellular network, so please try it on the Wi-Fi.
• Go to the Settings > iCloud, logout from iCloud account and log in again.
• Check that you’re using the same Apple ID.
• Restart your iPhone.

Fix Sync Issues on macOS and Mac OS X:

Just like on iPhone, make sure that you have a good internet connection on your Mac. If the internet is fine, Disable and Enable the Safari sync as explained earlier. If it didn’t work, quit the Safari and restart your Mac.

Delete Bookmarks Plist from Mac

1. Quit Safari
2. Go to the Library folder in your Home directory. Hold down the Option or Shift key while selecting the Finder’s Go menu. Look for the Library option and select it
3. Find and Open your Safari folder
4. Drag the file bookmarks.plist to your Desktop
5. Go to System Preferences > iCloud and deselect the checkmark next to Safari. Wait 30 seconds or so and tick the box again. If already deselected, select it
6. When a message appears asking to merge your bookmarks, tap the Merge button
7. Relaunch Safari
8. Check and see if all your iCloud bookmarks now show up
9. If bookmarks are there, trash the old bookmarks.plist file sitting on your Desktop

Fix Sync Issues on Windows:

• Make sure that you are using the latest version of iCloud and iTunes on your PC.
• Make sure you add the iCloud Bookmarks extension for Chrome and Firefox.
• Check that the Apple ID is the same on all devices.
• Microsoft Edge browser in Windows 10 doesn’t support iCloud Bookmarks. If you want to use iCloud Bookmarks in Windows 10, use a supported browser, like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Internet Explorer.
• Google Chrome sometimes takes a little time to sync the bookmarks, so, please be patient and let it finish the syncing.
• Don’t forget to enable the iCloud extension in Google Chrome and Add-ons in Mozilla Firefox.
• Check that your bookmarks are stored correctly. The location of your favorites folder must be Microsoft’s default location (usually C:\Users\username\Favorites)