Delete a single bookmark in Safari
To remove one bookmark, open Safari and click the Bookmarks menu at the top. Find the bookmark you want to delete in the list. Right-click on it (or hold Control and click on a trackpad) and select Delete from the menu that appears. The bookmark is gone immediately.
On iPhone or iPad, tap the Bookmarks icon at the bottom of the screen — it looks like an open book. Find the bookmark in your list, swipe left across it, and tap the red Delete button that slides out from the right side.
If you cannot find the bookmark in your main list, it may be inside a folder. Tap or click the folder name to open it, then delete the bookmark the same way.
Key Takeaways
- Single bookmarks delete instantly through the Bookmarks menu on Mac or the Bookmarks icon on iPhone.
- Bookmark folders can be emptied or deleted the same way as individual bookmarks.
- Deleting a bookmark in Safari on one device does not automatically remove it from other devices if you use iCloud sync.
- Deleted bookmarks cannot be recovered, so double-check before you confirm the deletion.
Delete a bookmark folder and everything inside it
If you have a folder full of bookmarks you no longer need, you can delete the entire folder at once. On Mac, open the Bookmarks menu, right-click the folder name, and select Delete. All bookmarks inside that folder are deleted along with it.
On iPhone or iPad, tap the Bookmarks icon, find the folder, swipe left across the folder name, and tap Delete. The folder and all its contents disappear.
Be careful with this step — there is no undo button. If you are unsure whether you need the bookmarks inside, move them to a temporary folder first, then delete the folder after a few days if you have not used them.
Manage bookmarks through the Bookmarks sidebar
On Mac, you can also delete bookmarks using the sidebar that appears on the left side of Safari. Click Bookmarks in the top menu, then select Show Bookmarks Sidebar. The sidebar opens on the left showing all your bookmarks and folders.
Right-click any bookmark or folder in the sidebar and select Delete. This method is useful if you want to delete several bookmarks in a row without closing the sidebar between each one. You can also drag bookmarks around to reorganize them before deciding which ones to remove.
To close the sidebar when you are done, click Bookmarks in the top menu again and select Hide Bookmarks Sidebar.
Delete bookmarks from the Bookmarks Editor
The Bookmarks Editor gives you a full view of all your bookmarks at once and is the fastest way to delete many bookmarks together. On Mac, click Bookmarks in the top menu and select Edit Bookmarks. A window opens showing every bookmark and folder organized by category.
Click any bookmark or folder to select it, then press the Delete key on your keyboard. You can select multiple bookmarks by holding Command and clicking each one, then delete them all at once. This is much faster than deleting one at a time through the menu.
The Bookmarks Editor is only available on Mac. On iPhone and iPad, use the Bookmarks icon at the bottom of the screen instead.
What happens when you delete a bookmark on multiple devices
If you use iCloud to sync Safari across your Mac, iPhone, and iPad, deleting a bookmark on one device does not automatically delete it from the others. Each device keeps its own copy unless you have turned on iCloud sync for Safari.
To check if iCloud sync is on, go to System Settings on Mac (or Settings on iPhone), click your name at the top, select iCloud, and look for Safari in the list. If the toggle is on, your bookmarks sync across devices. If it is off, you need to delete bookmarks on each device separately.
If you delete a bookmark by mistake and iCloud sync is on, the deletion syncs to your other devices within a few minutes. Turn off iCloud sync immediately if you need to recover the bookmark on at least one device, then manually restore it.
Recover a deleted bookmark
Safari does not have a trash folder or undo feature for deleted bookmarks. Once you delete a bookmark, it is gone for good. The only way to recover it is if you remember the website address and can recreate the bookmark manually.
If you deleted a bookmark by mistake and iCloud sync is on, you have a short window to act. Turn off iCloud sync on all your devices immediately — this stops the deletion from spreading. Then turn iCloud sync back on on the device that still has the bookmark. The bookmark should reappear on your other devices.
To prevent accidental deletions, take a moment before you confirm any delete action. There is no second chance once you click the button.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I undo a deleted bookmark?
No. Safari does not have an undo feature for bookmarks. Once you delete a bookmark, it is permanently gone. If you deleted it by mistake and use iCloud sync, turn off sync immediately on all devices to stop the deletion from spreading to your other devices.
Will deleting a bookmark delete the website itself?
No. Deleting a bookmark only removes the shortcut from Safari. The website stays on the internet and is not affected in any way. You can always visit the website again by typing the address in the search bar.
How do I delete all bookmarks at once?
On Mac, open the Bookmarks Editor (Bookmarks menu, then Edit Bookmarks), select all bookmarks by pressing Command+A, and press Delete. On iPhone, you must delete bookmarks one at a time or delete entire folders. There is no select-all option on mobile.
What is the difference between deleting and hiding a bookmark?
Deleting removes the bookmark completely. Safari does not have a hide feature for individual bookmarks, but you can move bookmarks into a folder you do not use often, or delete the bookmark and recreate it later if you change your mind.
Do deleted bookmarks take up storage space?
No. Bookmarks use almost no storage space on your device. Deleting them will not free up any noticeable amount of space. You can delete bookmarks without worrying about running out of storage.